Kolkata-based project cargo transport specialist, Prism Logistics Pvt Ltd, accomplished a monumental feat in India's logistics industry. They successfully executed the country's most extensive long-distance multimodal transportation project, involving the hauling of 34 super heavy cargo units weighing up to 743 metric tons. These cargo units, with lengths reaching 55 meters and diameters up to 9.7 meters, were transported for the upcoming Barmer refinery in Rajasthan. The project was commissioned by Larsen & Toubro Ltd and was valued at over Rs 100 crore, according to tender documents reviewed by a publishing group.

The complex operation comprised two main components. First, the project cargo was transported from Mangalore, Hazira, and Dahej to Mundra Port, operated by Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone in Gujarat. From there, the cargo was further transported to the project site in Pachpadra, Rajasthan's Barmer district, covering a road distance of 553 kms. This intricate multimodal movement of super over-dimensional cargo took nearly a year to complete.

The challenges faced during this project were substantial, considering the involvement of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL), one of India's largest state-run oil firms, and the significant investment in establishing a mega oil refinery in Rajasthan?the country's first greenfield refinery in over two decades. The end customer, HPCL Rajasthan Refinery (HRRL), is a joint venture between HPCL and the Government of Rajasthan, with equity participation of 74% and 26%, respectively. The project aimed to set up a 9 million tonnes per annum greenfield refinery cum petrochemical complex at Pachpadra in Barmer.

Prism Logistics managed the seamless marine transportation part of the contract, involving 34 packages totalling 12,582 metric tons and 72,506 freight tons. This was achieved through six barge trips, utilising two self-propelled barges, MV DONGBANG GIANT NO 5 and MV DONGBANG GIANT NO 6, chartered from Korea. Despite adverse weather conditions, these barges successfully navigated the route, transporting the cargo from Mangalore and Hazira to Adani's Mundra Port.

Source: Economic Times