Transport of the C3 Splitter Abnormal Load on the N2 between Richards Bay & Secunda

 

The C3 splitter, purchased by Sasol for their Secunda plant as part of their Project Turbo, is going to be to be transported along the N2 from Richards Bay to its destination in Secunda. To move the load from Richards Bay to Secunda will require a massive logistical operation. The "splitter" weighs 480 tonnes and is 64 metres in length. It will be transported on a series of trucks and support vehicles that will, for safety reasons, travel at only 5 kilometres per hour. This convoy will occupy virtually the entire road as it passes along the route.

This massive load will, inevitably, result in substantial disruptions to traffic on the intended routes – the N2 from Richards Bay to Ermelo and then the N17 to Secunda. We are aware of the fact that it will cause some inconvenience to residents along the route as well as to motorists and commuters who make use of the two roads. It will also have a temporary impact on normal business and community activities in affected areas.

The C3 splitter is expected in Richards Bay harbour on 19th November where it will be weighed and a stability check carried out. It is expected to be on the road by 24th November.

     

C3 Splitter arriving at the Richards Bay Harbour

The transportation of the C3 splitter is believed to be the largest transport of equipment ever on South African roads and possibly in Africa. 

The C3 splitter will be transported in two sections:

  1. The Lower Section: length = 64,4 m : Laden Height = 10,5 m : Mass = 500t
    will be transported by Mammoet using front 12 axle Nicolas trailer with 8 tyres per axle. The rear trailer has 20 axles with 16 tyres per axle.
  1. The Upper section: length = 24,0m : Laden height = 9,0m : Mass = 280t
    will be transported on 12 axle Nicolas trailer.

The proposed transport programme of the C3 splitter, of which motorists should take note, is: 

Day 1    Leave the Richards Bay Harbour and travel 45 km to Umfolozi;
Day 2    Leave Umfolozi and travel 51 km to Ncemane;
Day 3    Leave Ncemane and travel 46 km to Haarlem;
Day 4    Leave Haarlem and travel 52 km to Golela Turnoff;
Day 5    Leave Golela Turnoff and travel 26 km to Pongola;
Day 6    Leave Pongola and travel 26 km to Itshelijuba (KZN Border);
Day 7    Leave Itshelijuna (KZN Border) and travel 31 km to Moolman;
Day 8    Leave Moolman and travel 44 km to Assegaai Weigh Bridge in Piet Retief;
Day 9    Leave Piet Retief and travel 29 km to km 42 Post;
Day 10   Leave Km 42 Post and travel 48 km to Ermelo;
Day 11   Leave Ermelo and travel 49 km to Damwal Road;
Day 12   Leave Damwal Road and travel 56 km to Trichardt;
Day 13   Leave Trichardt and travel 27 km to its destination at Site Paul Kruger in Secunda.

Route of the C3 Splitter Abnormal Load in KwaZulu-Natal.

As part of Project Turbo further abnormal load transport of equipment is envisaged to take place from January 2005 which will include:

  1. Converter: length = 43,93m : Laden Height = 10,5 m : Mass = 415t
    to be transported on 22 axle Nicolas trailer.
  1. C2 Splitter: length = 55,0m : Laden Height = 5,8 m : Mass = 110t
    to be transported on 2 x 6 axle trailers.

For further information about abnormal loads on KwaZulu-Natal roads, please contact the Freight Directorate of the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport on (033) 3558600.

 

(Photos courtesy of Tracey Spires)

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