BNSF Logistics, LLC, a global multi-modal transportation and logistics service provider, announced the acquisition of the wind energy related assets and contracts of Vectora Transportation, a Chicago based third-party logistics provider specializing in bulk commodities and dimensional cargo transport solutions. “Vectora’s tower fixture technology and market position in the wind energy arena are the perfect complement to BNSF Logistics’…
What role does transportation and logistics play in the wind industry?
The problem with moving wind-turbine components is their size–they are gigantic. Nacelles can weigh as much as 205,000 pounds, while half of a tower can be 15-ft wide and almost 120-ft long. And blades–conversation stoppers on most highways– easily span 180 ft. Moving these structures takes special equipment, trucks, trains, ships, and harbors. Siemens is…
What to consider in a contract
OEMs, such as Suzlon, have a contracts department to handle their many details. “You want to form relationships with carriers,” says the company’s Logistics Director Gary Kowaleski. One route to a good relationship is with a contract that leaves little to no interpretation. He suggests at least these items for a shipping contract: • Description…
When is a barge faster than a truck?
Not long ago, transport company ATS International (ATSI) was contracted to ship 100 complete wind turbines. Nacelles and hubs came from Germany, towers were made in Korea, and blades were transported from a fabrication facility in Little Rock, Arkansas. The units were allocated to multiple projects in the Pacific Northwest. Due to permit and financing…
Challenges in moving huge and heavy components
In an ideal world, logistics directors would schedule a train to deliver tower sections, nacelles, and blades to a storage area within a few miles of their wind farm. Trucks would complete the delivery. But the ideal quickly runs off the rails because a few rail tunnels are too narrow for nacelles, many loads are…
Trends in transportation and logistics
The problem with moving wind-turbine components is their size–they are gigantic. Nacelles can measure 12-ft wide and over 20-ft long, while half of a tower can be 12-ft wide and almost 150-ft long. And blades –conversation stoppers on most highways– easily span 100 ft. Moving these structures takes special equipment, trucks, trains, ships, and harbors.…
AWEA Wind Power Supply Chain Workshop: Logistics
Moderator: Nikhil Amin, President, Trinity Logistics Group Panel: – Vikash Patel, Transportation & Logistics Manager, GE Energy Logistics – Sally Chope, Transportation & Logistics Manager, Siemens – Terrance Moore, Dir. Business Development, American Electric Power (AEP) River Operations 1:30p – Vikash Patel, GE Energy – Quality of logistics from OEM is key in earning business…
Flatbed Sem-Trailer for Longer Turbine Blades
A SPZ-P 3 AAA flatbed semi-trailer can transport longer blades. The trailer pictured carries a 55-m long Vestas blade for a total length of 65 m. The three-axle flatbed is the first to carry long blades that weigh 13 ton. Maneuverability, a steering angle of 60°, a swing axle with a constant track gauge, and…