Mammoet expands SPMT fleet with 650 axle lines

Mammoet, the world’s leader in solutions for lifting, transportation, installation and decommissioning of large and heavy structures, has signed a contract for 650 axle lines of Self Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs) at SCHEUERLE. This deal brings the total number of axle lines employed globally by Mammoet to more than 3,000.

The purchase of 650 axle lines is Mammoet’s response to the strong demand for SPMT modules. ‘We meet a lot of demand for intelligent transport solutions around the world’, says Jan Kleijn, CEO of Mammoet. The substantial acquisition is a strategic investment in Mammoet’s fleet.’ The contract is the largest SPMT deal for Mammoet and SCHEUERLE, adding a new chapter to their long-standing relationship that goes back 30 years.

In addition, the purchase makes it possible for Mammoet to sustain its high standards when it comes to planning, executing, and delivering challenging projects. Herman Smit, COO of Mammoet, explains the choice for SCHEUERLE SPMT: “SPMTs are an important part of our fleet, and play a pivotal role in engineering solutions and safe delivery of our services - which are all about helping our customers improve construction efficiency and optimize the uptime of their plants and installations. We are convinced of the quality SCHEUERLE has delivered for the past 30 years. The purchase supports our project requirements for 2014 and thereafter. It enables us to maintain our position as the leading heavy lifting and multimodal transport solutions specialist”.

30 years ago, the first SPMT was developed by SCHEUERLE in close partnership with Mammoet. Nowadays, Mammoet employs SPMT modules in many transport operations across the world. Long-term projects often contract SPMT modules for a longer time – making the acquisition of additional modules necessary. One such project is the Chevron-operated Gorgon Project in Australia, one of the most significant natural gas projects worldwide. Mammoet increased its presence there, as the erection of on- and offshore wells and facilities require a multitude of challenging transport operations.

The transporters combine a high level of agility and maneuverability, allowing for the precise positioning of heavy loads. Individual modular transporters can be coupled as required, either mechanically or arranged in a loose coupling mode on an area of up to 600 x 600 m. With the acquisition of the new axle lines and matching power pack units, Mammoet takes the usability of SPMT modules one step further.

The newly developed power pack units, that power the hydraulics of the modules, will feature a 140 kW electric engine in addition to a robust 147 kW diesel engine. The hybrid power pack units are part of Mammoet’s sustainability strategy, as the hybrid design comes with improved power management and fuel efficiency and reduces emissions. Another advantage is that the power pack units allow for indoor operations without the need for extra exhaust or ventilation systems.

Mammoet expects the first delivery of SPMT modules from SCHEUERLE in early 2014. The entire fleet enlargement is to be completed before the end of the second quarter.