Stellar Logistics has managed the transportation of multiple heavy and out of gauge shipments, sourced internationally, for the Bobo Expansion Project phase II and III, in Burkina Faso, which is being managed by international engineering, procurement and construction company, Telemenia.
The shipments included four MAN generators - each weighing 200 tonnes; four alternators -each weighing 69 tonnes; and four turbo units of 20 tonnes each; plus ancillary installation equipment loaded in containers.
Discharged in the Ghanaian port of Takoradi, Ghana, the shipments were transported over 1,100 km to the Bobo Dioulasso power station in Burkina Faso using axle lines of Goldhofer trailers and a Mercedes Benz prime mover and pusher unit.
In addition to the handling and transportation of the modules, Stellar Logistics also managed the customs clearance of cargo in transit, some of which was under temporary import status, as it is to be re-exported at the end of the project.
As a result of Stellar Logistics successful delivery of the various power generation modules and installation equipment, Sonabel - Burkina Faso’s national electricity company - will be able to add an additional 72 GW of electricity production capacity at the power plant.
Stellar Logistics’ worked closely with the UK-based freight forwarder, Pinnacle International Freight and German-based Fahrenholz GmbH, which provided various items of specialist transportation equipment, ensuring a fully coordinated door to door delivery service.
The transport project involved detailed route surveys and risk assessments, as well as the construction of over-passes, undertaking road reparations and supporting multiple bridges along the route.
Coordination with various government ministries and departments in both countries, particularly the Ghana Highway Authority and Burkina Faso Highways Authority (Becotex) was required to arrange remedial and semi-permanent works to multiple major bridges in both countries to ensure the safe delivery of the cargo.
“On route, our team encountered unseasonal rainstorms that caused extreme road deterioration, which meant Stellar had to work quickly to undertake remedial works itself,” said Clive Cox, general manager of Stellar Logistics and project manager for the Bobo Expansion Project Phase II and III.
Specialist engineers were deployed for the installation of the power generation engines. This involved Stellar Logistics using the assets and skills of other divisions within the Stellar Group.
Furthermore, Stellar’s in house travel agency and hotel supported the entire team with flight bookings, ‘meet and greets’, car hire, airport to hotel transfers, accommodation and transportation throughout the whole project.
“Local knowledge, acquired over many years, coupled with excellent relationships with government ministries and departments, such as GPHA, Ghana Highways Authority, Ghana Customs, Ghana Immigration Service and Ghana Police, puts Stellar Logistics in an enviable position to deliver what we promise,” claims Cox.
“Stellar Logistics delivers international standards to West Africa in regards to the transport of abnormal and out of gauge by utilising our own fleet of self-maintained trucks and specialist equipment.
“This includes cranes, extendable trailers (to 30+ m), mobile lighting stacks, crane trucks, heavy duty low-bed trailers, fork lifts and plant equipment.