The process of loading a massive floating dock in South Korea is an extraordinary feat. With meticulous preparation, the colossal 260-meter-long structure weighing 18,000 tons embarks on a journey to its final destination in Egypt.
The SangSangIn Ship Machinery located in GwangYang port serves as both the starting point and the stage for this remarkable spectacle. The objective is to move the floating dock approximately 300 meters away from its installation site and load it onto a barge ship. Apart from its impressive length and weight, the steel behemoth measures 62 meters in width and stands at a towering height of 22.5 meters.
Three renowned South Korean heavy load specialists, namely Anjeon, DaeMyung, and Global, join forces as contractors for this project. “The three companies have deployed their SPMT fleets to tackle this challenge. In total, 380 modular axle lines of Cometto MSPE have been assembled, comprising sixty-two 6-axle units and two 4-axle units,” explains Alberto Di Stefano, Sales Manager at Cometto, describing the framework of this demanding task. The entire system is powered by 12 Power Pack Units, each with 335 kW. “The exceptional payload capacity and reliable handling of the Cometto modules are crucial advantages for this remarkable undertaking,” adds Alberto Di Stefano, reflecting on the feedback from the executing partners. “Projects of this magnitude are made possible by the payload capacity of the Cometto MSPE, which can reach up to 70 tons per axle line—the highest in the market. Additionally, the patented Cometto Dual-Link suspension optimizes force distribution within the suspension structure, while the axle geometry ensures the highest possible precision during load positioning.“
All 380 SPMT axle lines are divided into twelve separate convoys, supporting four areas under each corner of the floating dock, and working together in an open compound. The connection between the Cometto SPMTs was established as soon as the Cometto engineers, accompanied by experts from Bokook, the Cometto partner in South Korea, arrived at the port site.
The final destination for the floating dock is Egypt. With the Cometto SPMTs in convoy, the load-out process begins promptly. The supports are adjusted slightly before the successful completion of the load-out project. There is a sense of relief and satisfaction as the section is securely placed on the barge. The enormous floating dock has a lifting capacity of up to 35,000 tons. In November 2021, SangSangIn Ship Machinery signed a contract worth approximately 90 billion South Korean won (about 64 million Euros) with the Suez Canal Authority of Egypt to construct this floating dock. Manufacturing of the dock commenced in May 2022, and less than a year later, the finished product is ready for its inaugural missions.
