Collett & Sons Ltd’s new acquisition, Europe’s largest capacity Girder Bridge trailer, celebrates its maiden transport from Sheffield to the Port of Goole.

Collett & Sons Ltd Girder Bridge

The UK’s leading Heavy Transport Company, Collett have successfully completed the collection, transport and delivery of a 156Te steel casting from Sheffield Forgemasters International Ltd to the Port of Goole on behalf of international Freight Forwarder, Expeditors.

The casting will form the drop hammer in a large counter-blow forging press to manufacture titanium forgings.

Operating the STB 550 Tonne Girder Bridge, the largest capacity Girder Bridge in Europe and the latest addition to their fleet, Collett Transport were able to easily accommodate the load and successfully complete delivery of the valuable cargo.

Long standing client, Expeditors, a global logistics company based in Seattle, Washington, have trusted Collett Transport with several valuable cargos, each one executed to perfection.“Our relationship with Expeditors is a valuable asset to Collett. We pride ourselves on our ability to complete all transport and freight forwarding projects quickly and effectively, and our continued work with Expeditors reinforces our expertise within the industry,” said Eric Crosby, Projects Director for Collett Transport. “We are delighted to work together with Expeditors on this exciting first transportation employing our new STB 550 Girder Bridge, which is currently unrivalled throughout Europe, and we look forward to many more exciting jobs in the future.”

Girder Bridge Transport Lift

Loaded at Sheffield on 17th August, the 156 Tonne steel casting was transported under Police escort to the Port of Goole for its onward journey to Antwerp. Showcasing the capabilities of the new Girder Bridge, the first project for Collett’s new fleet acquisition, this transportation called upon the Collett Team’s expertise and required meticulous planning to ensure the suitability of the route. This included the implementation of a Motorway lane closure for part of the journey, which allowed the whole vehicle combination to travel Eastbound on the Westbound carriageway, in order to avoid weak structures. Under the cover of darkness Collett completed the movement without incident and delivered the cargo safely to the ships side in Goole on Monday 18th August. Providing a full multi-modal logistics solution, the collaboration between the Collett Projects, Heavy Lifting and Marine teams oversaw the heavy crane lifting logistics required to transfer the cargo from the Girder Bridge to the ship and the chartering of the awaiting vessel to make the short sea shipment to Antwerp.

Working closely with the client representatives, David Steinbach, Expeditors Project Cargo Manager and Nathan Taylor, Expeditors Ocean Export Manager, Collett were able to ensure a safe and timely dispatch of the cargo. “Having worked with Collett Transport over a number of years on heavy haulage and heavy project moves, we find them to be a very knowledgeable, experienced and professional company,” said Nathan Taylor, Ocean Export Manager for Expeditors. “Collett Transport will always rise to the challenge and complete any project efficiently, and with the addition of the newly acquired Girder Bridge, continue to push the boundaries of the heavy transport industry. We hope to continue to develop our working partnership in the future and look forward to working with Collett’s again soon.”

Collett's Scheuerle Girder Bridge

The full capacity of the Scheuerle STB 550 Girder Bridge is a massive 550 Tonnes and features a 5:2 ratio between payload and deadweight. The acquisition of this flexible modular giant into the Collett fleet demonstrates their place as a market leader within the industry and reinforces their position as one of the leading heavy transport companies both throughout the UK and Worldwide.

The STB 550 Girder Bridge was accompanied throughout the project by two 4-axle ballast (8×4) tractors to pull and push the combination whilst two 10 axle Scheuerle Intercombi modules in 2-file configuration facilitated the application of the Girder Bridge. The project also utilised Collett’s newly acquired four axle ‘power booster’ module which effectively changes the complete vehicle’s traction and pulling power capabilities. Compatible with the Scheuerle Intercombi and Eurocombi modules, the addition of the ‘power booster’ to the fleet, has increased Collett’s SPMT fleet by 70 axle lines and gives any standard axle module an SPMT capability.

About Collett & Sons Ltd

Established in 1928, Collett & Sons is a successful family-owned company. Originally a Transport company, Collett has developed into a specialist multi-modal logistics operator with a defined focus in its four closely run divisions. With specialist teams dedicated to Transport, Heavy Lift, Marine and Consulting, Collett & Sons has evolved to reflect the diverse nature of the business and the clients it serves. These four integrated divisions allow Collett & Sons to offer a ‘one stop shop’ service, expertly managing any project from concept through to completion.

Specialists in the Oil & Gas, Power Generation, Heavy Engineering, Renewables and Civil & Infrastructure markets, Collett & Sons have a wealth of experience transporting and moving difficult loads throughout the UK, Europe and worldwide.

Located in the United Kingdom, this company operates from its strategic bases in Halifax, Goole and Grangemouth.

More About Expeditors

Expeditors is a global logistics company headquartered in Seattle, Washington. As a Fortune 500 company, Expeditors employs over 13,000 trained professionals in a worldwide network of over 250 locations across six continents. Expeditors satisfies the increasingly sophisticated needs of international trade through customized solutions and seamless, integrated information systems.

Services include the consolidation and forwarding of air or ocean freight, customs brokerage, vendor consolidation, cargo insurance, time-definite transportation, order management, warehousing, distribution and customized logistics solutions.

Photography courtesy: Tom Evans