Vanguard has introduced a new wind blade shunt trailer to the South African market, designed to address industry challenges. These specialized trailers can receive and transport wind blades from vessels to laydown areas in either top or tail orientation, providing a cost-effective solution for handling complex cargo.
The trailers were commissioned by Vanguard to overcome limitations associated with the traditional top-to-tail orientation of wind blade shipping. Previously, ports faced the costly and time-consuming task of double-handling components or maneuvering blades in tight spaces. Vanguard’s new trailers eliminate these issues, offering seamless transportation across quayside locations with minimal disruption.
Equipped with drawbars at both ends, the trailers enable efficient shunting, accommodating extensive overhangs in reverse orientation. They can be mobilized on-site using bespoke beams, supporting specific length configurations. The first project involved receiving and transporting 75 wind blades, each measuring 90.646 meters, from the Port of Richards Bay to a laydown area before transshipment onto Vanguard’s Scheuerle RBTS trailers for a 500 km journey.
Laura Hodgkinson, Senior Manager at Vanguard, praised the project’s success: “Vanguard provided consultancy from the initial concept through to design and manufacturing. It’s been great to see the trailers in action—efficiently receiving and transporting over 15 blades a day despite challenging port restrictions.”
