Sarens carried out heavy transport, jacking and marine logistics work for the replacement of LKAB’s shiploader at the port of Narvik, Norway, including removal of the existing 2,900-tonne unit and installation of its 2,200-tonne replacement.
The scope covered removal of the shiploader dating from 1977, load-out of the replacement at an assembly yard in Szczecin, Poland, sea transport to Narvik and final installation at the LKAB yard. Sarens was also responsible for the project’s marine scope.
Before removing the original shiploader, Sarens performed a 3D scan to map its geometry and carried out a structural assessment. The assessment identified a need for additional reinforcement, which was designed and coordinated by the company.
The barge, SPMTs, jacking system and mooring arrangement were also assessed for strength and stability. Hydraulic jacks and weighing cells were used to determine the shiploader’s weight.
The old shiploader comprised three main sections. Four CS 1000 jacking towers positioned on a barge were used to remove the 2,500-tonne main body. The 200-tonne landside and 200-tonne seaside slewing points were then moved onto the barge using SPMTs.
For onward transport, the main body was positioned diagonally on the barge over the jacking towers. SPMTs lifted the structure from the towers, rotated it and placed it on grillages.
The three sections were transported by barge to Wergeland base AS in Gulen, Norway. SPMTs moved the components onto the quay, where CS 1000 jacking equipment and SPMTs were used to reinstall the shiploader for continued operation at its new location.
Equipment used for the removal included four CS 1000 jacking systems, four CS 100 jacking systems, 84 axle lines of Kamag K24-ST SPMTs, BE600 ballast equipment, HW30 mooring winches, L5800 RoRo bridges, weighing equipment and steel structures.
For the replacement shiploader, Sarens loaded the components onto a barge at the assembly yard in Szczecin and transported them by sea to Narvik.
The new shiploader comprises a 1,800-tonne main body and 200-tonne landside and seaside slewing points. During load-out in Poland, steel load-spreading structures and a gravel ramp were installed beneath the SPMTs to distribute the load as assembled sections moved onto the barge. A telescopic crane was used to load the landside components.
After arrival in Narvik, SPMTs and a telescopic crane unloaded the landside and seaside components. While those sections were prepared for assembly, the barge moved to another quay to load the jacking systems and SPMTs required for final installation.
At the installation area, eight CS 450 jacking towers raised the 1,800-tonne main body. It was then transferred to SPMTs carrying four CS 1000 jacking towers before being raised, rotated and installed on the two slewing points.
The installation equipment included four CS 1000 jacking systems, eight CS 450 jacking systems, 84 axle lines of Kamag K24-ST SPMTs, BE600 ballast equipment, HW50 mooring winches, L2750 and L5800 RoRo bridges, a barge and weighing equipment.
