Multiple Vessels & Engineering Excellence

This project will be covered by multiple blog posts as it continues to progress. While there are many challenges to the project as a whole, the barge load-out engineering, planning, and execution is a great post by itself.

We identified the only viable barge slip in the region for this massive cargo load-out and assessed the feasibility of rolling on the bow from the previously unused river bank. We upgraded the ground bearing capacity with geo-piers to support our temporary bridge. This steel bridge was designed by Hansa Meyer Engineering to be transported to site affordably in sections over the road. Additionally, our engineers designed a cantilever lifting frame to set the bridge sections with one of our Goldhofer self-propelled electronic-steer platform trailers. This eliminated the need for a crane on site for months and saved our client substantial crane mobilization and rental costs. All custom equipment was fabricated by our team in Houston.

The first picture is a combined laser scan and bathymetry profile of the river bottom at the landing site. The red lines were plotted using GPS and fed into the dredging system (2nd picture). 

Our engineers plotted out a precise dredge plan to that was followed to ensure proper depth and clearance for the barges.

Our in house engineers designed this bridge and cantilever device (eliminating the need for a crane) while working hand in hand with our fabricators and equipment operators. 

Two LOX (Liquid oxygen) tanks and one LNG (Liquified Natural Gas) tank prior to roll on awaiting final lashing and sea-fastening for ocean going transit. 

On the left is a 3D "reality model" of the site used for precision planning in this challenging topography. On the right is a picture of the actual load-out.

So many other considerations go into a project like this:

• Site assessment and infrastructure improvement design
• GIS, Survey, Laser Scanning, Sonar Bathymetry, Geotechnical review, 3D site modeling and electronic laser stakeout of site for precision assurance of dimensions and positioning of all equipment and vessels in real-time with extreme river level fluctuations.
• Planned cargo night moves and staging 
• Mobilizing equipment and personnel to fab shop and barge site.
• Civil/structural works at barge site for barge arrival and ramp setting 
• Ballast and secure barge and position stands and grillages 
• Ballasting to account for barge heel and trim while rolling on the tank
• Sea-fastening for ocean transport consisting of chain, welded steel plate clips, and stoppers.
• Logistical coordinate with busy grain load-out during critical harvest-time operations
• So much more 

There will be more to follow on this project and we are looking forward to sharing more with you.  As always, we thank you for reading our blog and welcome any comments.  Also, follow us on Linkedin @hansameyercompanies for more pictures and posts.