DB Schenker transports world’s largest rail mounted machine of 90,000 tonnes

DB Schenker has successfully delivered almost 200 components for the world’s largest rail mounted vehicles with a total weight of 90,000 freight tons to BHP’s US$ 3.6 billion South Flank project in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. Once assembled by the engineers of thyssenkrupp Mining Technologies, the fully autonomous stackers and reclaimer will each transport 20,000 tons of iron ore per hour in one of the world’s most extensive mining projects. Zoran Matijevic, Project Director – South Flank, thyssenkrupp Mining Technologies, says “South Flank is a flagship project in every aspect. Size of the machines required thyssenkrupp overcoming cutting-edge engineering, logistics, and construction challenges. We have successfully reached the 90 per cent project progress mark ahead of schedule and are looking forward to the equally successful completion and handover to our client.”

25 experts of DB Schenker’s Global Projects & Industry Solutions business unit in Perth planned and executed the engineered shipping and road transport solutions for more than two years. The parts were transported on three vessels 1,770 kilometers from the Australian Marine Complex in Henderson, Western Australia, to Port Hedland. From there, they were carried by specialized hydraulic heavy transport trailers and trucks on a 350-kilometer road trip to the mine site in the Pilbara desert. The convoy with the largest trailer combination at 120 meters passed 27 bridges and five rail crossings.