This project highlights Three Lines Shipping’s capability to manage multi-unit heavy lift movements across the UAE. We successfully executed the transport of 4 individual Barge Blocks from a fabrication yard in Umm Al Quwain to Khalifa Port in Abu Dhabi.
Moving cargo with a width of nearly 8 meters and a height exceeding 5 meters required a complex logistics strategy, involving multi-axle hydraulic trailers and precise route surveys to navigate from the Northern Emirates to the capital.
Why does Why does moving Barge Blocks demand specialized expertise?a Sour Gas Treatment Vessel demand expertise?
Barge blocks are large, prefabricated sections of a vessel hull. Transporting them by road is exceptionally challenging due to their sheer volume.
With a width of 7,900 mm (7.9 meters), this cargo occupies more than two standard road lanes. Additionally, a height of 5,480 mm (5.48 meters) makes the route extremely restrictive, as most standard highway bridges in the UAE have lower clearance limits.
| Asset Type | Transport Route | Gross Weight (Per Block) | Max Width |
| Barge Hull Blocks | Umm Al Quwain to Khalifa Port | 60,000 Kgs (60 MT) | 7,900 mm (7.9 m) |
Key Cargo Dimensions
What specialized equipment handled the 7.9m wide load?
To ensure stability for a load with such a high center of gravity and extreme width, we utilized Multi-Axle Hydraulic Trailers.
Standard trailers cannot handle the width or the stability requirements of a 5.48m high object. The hydraulic suspension on our trailers allowed us to keep the barge blocks level, even when traversing uneven ground or inclines.
Key operational solutions that we provided:
What key logistical challenges were overcome?
The journey from Umm Al Quwain to Khalifa Port is a long-haul inter-emirate move, passing through multiple jurisdictions.
| Key Metric | Complexity of this Project | How Our Team Helped |
|---|---|---|
| Route Geometry | Narrow Roads & Steep Inclines | utilized hydraulic leveling to prevent tipping on slopes. |
| Regulatory Hurdles | Crossing 4 Emirates (UAQ, SHJ, DXB, AUH) | Secured unified permits for ODC transport across all borders. |
| Vertical Clearance | 5.48m Height | Mapped a route avoiding low bridges and overhead gantries. |
| Safety Standards | High Center of Gravity | Strict lashing calculations ensured zero movement of the 60MT load. |
This project reinforces Three Lines Shipping’s position as a leader in complex ODC movements. By safely delivering these critical marine components to Khalifa Port, we ensured the barge assembly schedule could proceed without delay.