Al Faris Carries Buoys Through Jebel Ali

Breakbulk specialist Al-Faris has called into action its new fleet of self-propelled modular trailers, or SPMTs, to transport two super-heavy catenary anchor leg mooring buoys through the Jebel Ali Free Zone in Dubai.

The buoys weighing 334 tonnes a piece were transported 2.5 kilometres from steel maker Fabtech International’s industrial base in the zone to a general cargo berth at the Port of Jebel Ali, where they were offloaded by a vessel crane.

The move was the first time Al Faris used its new SPMTs, acquired from Italy-based module manufacturer Cometto. The heavy-lift operator combined a total of 40 SPMT lines into two side-by-side open compound combinations with 20 axles each.

Calm buoys are widely used by oil and gas operators as offshore loading terminals.

Route analysis and road modifications to accommodate the oversized cargo had been carried out by Al Faris’s project team to ensure smooth transfer through Jebel Ali.

“The oversized loads called for significant road modifications including the removal of sign boards and port berth fence as well as managing temporary traffic routes," Al Faris said.

"A successful cooperation between Al Faris escort vehicles and JAFZA security escort vehicles ensured safe operations for the entire project.”

Cometto produces SPMTs with a payload capacity of up to 15,000 tonnes.

The vehicles are used in industries such as heavy duty transport, heavy industry, shipbuilding, oil and gas, offshore technology and project logistics.