STATIC CARGO HANDLING GUIDE - Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics

STATIC CARGO
HANDLING GUIDE

Seaworthy handling
Moving cargo
across land and sea
Boats and yachts
Machinery and machine tools
Mining equipment
Power generation equipment
Wind turbine equipment
Railway equipment
Natural rubber
Steel
Bridging distances
from shore to sea
Rolltrailers
Jack-up trailer
Samson heavy-lift trailer
Air Shuttle trailer and Greenhofer
Rubber Tyre Bogies
Bolsters
5 Handling
9 Static cargo
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
27 Equipment
28
30
32
34
36
38

Transporting static
cargo
Every year, Wallenius Wilhelmsen transports significant
volumes of cargo all around the world. We are perhaps
best known as a leading ocean carrier for the transport
of cars — carrying nearly two million vehicles each year.
But take the “car” out of cargo and you will discover
that Wallenius Wilhelmsen transports a whole lot more.
Not just cars
Wallenius Wilhelmsen transports all types of static
cargo, which by definition includes any cargo that must
be lifted or towed on board using special trailers. We
are experts in the field of transportation of general
break bulk products and other non-containerised cargo,
which often require special handling and specialised
solutions. Wallenius Wilhelmsen takes great pride in
providing both.
Flexible vessels
Smart ocean transport of huge volumes of a wide variety
of cargo requires smart vessels. Our vessels are
designed with specific transport needs in mind and
with the flexibility to accommodate as many different
types of cargo as possible. To keep pace with our customers’
changing needs, we are continually in the
process of evaluating and updating the design of our
vessels.
Innovative cargo handling
As cargoes have become less standardised, they have
also become more challenging to transport. We at
Wallenius Wilhelmsen are committed to accepting this
challenge. If our existing equipment does not meet your
cargo requirements, we ask design engineers to craft a
solution. This creative approach to cargo handling is
why customers with non-standardised cargo requirements
rely on Wallenius Wilhelmsen — time and time
again.

Seaworthy
handling
Delivery in perfect condition
Quality is the hallmark of cargo handling at Wallenius
Wilhelmsen. No matter how unusual the cargo, quality
for us is synonymous with delivery in perfect condition.
Delivery in perfect condition is a fundamental way of
thinking at Wallenius Wilhelmsen. This is because
cargo care is not only a business imperative, but a way
of life for many of our employees. It is not unusual, for
example, to find a few of us on hand to witness the
loading or discharging of an unusual item of cargo —
even when duty does not warrant our presence.
Confidence characterises the way in which our customers
entrust Wallenius Wilhelmsen with their cargo.
This confidence stems from our zero-tolerance policy
towards cargo damage, which is rigorously enforced
through the application of best practices and the continual
improvement of handling procedures.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen also encourages the “lesspack”
concept of minimal cargo packaging, which is
based on the philosophy that the more we can see of
the cargo, the better we can cater to its special needs.
The less-pack concept also has the added benefit of
reducing packaging costs.
Above all, customer satisfaction is the determining
factor behind Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s cargo handling
policies and procedures.
Handling 5

Damage prevention
programme
A belief in having the best policy, however, means little
unless this creed is put into practice. Through practical
hands-on procedures, the Wallenius Wilhelmsen damage
prevention programme ensures excellent quality of
cargo handling and safe, efficient transport. We have
systems in place to measure performance in order to
be in a position to continually improve our operations.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen provides strong operational
supervision while handling cargo. At all major ports
Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s staff, together with the vessel’s
crew, oversee operations to ensure damage-free loading
and discharging of cargo. This ensures proper
cargo handling procedures are applied at all times. In
all other ports, the vessel’s crew oversee loading and
discharging operations.
In addition, our customers provide us with feedback
on our performance on a regular basis. We want to be
the first to know about any problems as well as be the
first to receive acclaim. As a consequence, we have an
ongoing dialogue with our customers to establish what
improvements they would like to see.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen also encourages input from
our employees as well as from stevedores and lashing
subcontractors. Because these individuals work on the
front line, they have first-hand experience and knowledge
of what can go wrong and can make recommendations
about how to improve handling procedures.

A personal commitment
to quality
Secure handling can only be guaranteed through the
expert knowledge and dedication of the people who
take care of your cargo. Every individual at Wallenius
Wilhelmsen, whether working directly with the cargo
itself, or having responsibility for its transport from a
distance, makes a personal commitment to quality
cargo care.
This commitment is reinforced through continuous
training and education. Our cargo handling specialists
stay abreast of advances being made in best practices
and apply this knowledge by sharpening their practical
skills under real operational conditions.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen also ensures that any cargo
handling knowledge acquired over the years is shared
throughout the company. Our instructions manuals
cover everything our personnel need to know about
handling cargo — from what clothing is required during
loading, lashing and stowage procedures to the supervision
of operations, to safety issues applicable to all
areas of the handling process.
The proof of our commitment lies in what we have
accomplished, which is demonstrated by our sound
track record for delivery in perfect condition. It is also
evident in what we set out to do: to continually improve
cargo handling procedures.
Continual improvements
Handling 7
After analysing cargo handling data and feedback information
from our customers, employees and subcontractors,
we at Wallenius Wilhelmsen are then in an ideal
position to identify and implement improved handling
practices throughout the organisation.
All data compiled is made available to Wallenius
Wilhelmsen staff around the world. This enables us to
recognise trends that may help prevent future damage
and to determine the root cause of problems should
they occur.
To ensure quality, we constantly monitor changes in
procedures, thus guaranteeing that improvements to
cargo handling operations are fully realised. If and when
required, we refine our handling practices to enhance
technique and performance.

Moving cargo
across land and sea
Longer, taller, heavier…
it’s all on its way
As a global operator, we are able to transport almost
any product to almost any destination around the world.
The transport of cargo that requires special know-how
is an area in which we at Wallenius Wilhelmsen are
experts. Our cargo team looks after a variety of static
cargoes that require special attention throughout the
voyage.
Special cargoes call for vessels that offer a degree
of flexibility. Our vessels are highly adaptable and capable
of accommodating a wide variety of cargoes. In
addition, we develop our own handling procedures and
methods for securing materials to reduce handling
times and to minimise risks.
The following is a brief presentation of the wide variety
of special considerations applied by Wallenius
Wilhelmsen when handling static cargo.
Static Cargo 9

Boats and yachts
Sailing on board a Wallenius Wilhelmsen vessel is an
unusual mode of transport for most yachts, sailing and
trailer boats. However, these boats and yachts will,
most likely, never experience a smoother journey.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen provides the utmost care and
attention to ensure safe and secure ocean transport.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen offers several methods for
loading and discharging yachts, sailing and trailer
boats. Most often, smaller boats and yachts arrive at
the port of loading on their own trailers and are carefully
towed on board.
In cases where larger boats and yachts reach the
port in cradles, Wallenius Wilhelmsen loads both the
cradle and its cargo onto a rolltrailer for stowage on
board. At the port of discharge, we can also lift or deliver
boats and yachts directly into the water using
either a floating crane, a mobile crane or a port crane.
Below deck stowage
Wallenius Wilhelmsen RoRo vessels can accommodate
boats and yachts including cradle as tall as 5.25 m (17
ft, 6 in) below deck. This measurement takes into consideration
the height of a standard rolltrailer and a
clearance of 20 cm (8 in) between the top of the cargo
and the deck above, which is required for safe operations.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen secures cradles to rolltrailers
by using lashing chains, and then secures the trailers
with its cargo to the deck of the vessel. When
transporting a boat or yacht on its own trailer, the
height of the trailer and the roof clearance must be
taken into consideration.
On deck stowage
Almost any cargo which exceeds the maximum height
of 5.25 m for stowage below deck can be transported
on the upper deck. Loading directly out of and discharging
directly into the water is possible with the use
of a crane. Large yachts travelling on the weather deck
are secured with additional lashing from the hull of the
yacht to the deck of the vessel.

Creative weather
deck transport
Occupying almost all of the space nearest the stern on
the weather deck is a 33-m-long by 17-m-wide catamaran.
While sailing in the Southern Ocean, its mast
broke and the task of returning the cargo to its home
port in England was entrusted to Wallenius
Wilhelmsen.
The Operations Director of the U.K.-based specialist
freight forwarder responsible for bringing the catamaran
home is on hand to watch the discharging. This is not
the first time he has relied on Wallenius Wilhelmsen for
quality service. “Wallenius Wilhelmsen provides good
service, otherwise we would not have worked with
them this long or this closely,” he says. “The company is
probably the number one supplier in terms of getting
the job done right at the right time.”
The massive size of the catamaran does not leave
much room to manoeuvre. The huge floating crane that
has been called in to lift the catamaran off the deck
places it gently into the water. Though this catamaran is
the largest boat ever to be shipped on a Wallenius
Wilhelmsen weather deck, it most definitely will not be
the last. Static Cargo 11

Machinery and
machine tools
Wallenius Wilhelmsen carries large volumes of machinery
and machine tools around the world. Often fitted
with sophisticated electronics, these loads require
careful handling. Consignments can vary from individual
machine tools to full production lines or even whole factories,
with sizes and weights that may differ with each
shipment.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen provides strong operational
supervision while handling this valuable cargo.
Supervisors are on hand to ensure delivery in perfect
condition so that the production lines or factories that
require this equipment can open on time and without
any delay.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen encourages shippers to send
cargo using minimal packaging. Apart from a sturdy
base, consignments are often just wrapped with plastic
sheeting, which enables us to clearly see the cargo for
proper handling and stowage. This also reduces the
costs for our customers. Other cargo, such as printing
machines and printing presses, are transported in
crates on rolltrailers.

Handling
Machinery. The size and weight of the machinery being
shipped determine the type of equipment used to load,
stow and discharge the cargo.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen handles most machinery using
standard rolltrailers that have a gross capacity of up to
120 tons. For cargo weighing between 120 and 180
tons, Wallenius Wilhelmsen uses its own specially
designed Samson heavy lift trailer. Wallenius
Wilhelmsen utilises jack-up trailers, also known as
cometto trailers that are configured to the exact requirements
of the cargo weighing in excess of 180 tons.
For the heaviest cargo, Wallenius Wilhelmsen uses a
12-axle jack-up trailer. Towing or trailering cargo on
board eliminates the risk of potential damage that is
ever present during lift-on/lift-off operations.
Machine tools. Machine tools include any machinery
used for cutting, shaping or forming of metal. These include
sophisticated production units for the automotive
and aircraft manufacturing industries, some of which are
fitted with sophisticated computer units. Any machine
tools that come in cases, wooden crates or steel crates
are generally carried on rolltrailers or bolsters.
Stowage
Wallenius Wilhelmsen usually stows cargo on rolltrailers,
but bolsters are also used for smaller sized cargo.
Cargo is securely lashed to the rolltrailers and bolsters,
which in turn are secured to the deck of the vessel.
Due care and consideration are given to secure cargo
to avoid mechanical stress which can cause damage.
Static Cargo 13

Mining
equipment
Wallenius Wilhelmsen offers excellent transport solutions
for mining equipment. We transport large volumes
of cargo, either as complete units or as individual components.
Our vessels which offer a high degree of flexibility
are built to accommodate a wide variety of unwieldy,
heavy cargo — from drilling machines and mine roof
supports to conveyor belts and mining construction
equipment. Our RoRo carriers have stern ramps that
are capable of supporting a weight of up to 420 tons
and stern ramp openings that are 12 m wide by 6.4 m
high.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen encourages shippers to send
cargoes ‘as is’. No additional packaging is required.
This enables our cargo handling specialists to clearly
see the cargo and to ensure proper handling and
stowage, whilst also reducing costs for the customer.

Handling
Wallenius Wilhelmsen handles most mining equipment
using rolltrailers which have a capacity to handle up to
120 tons. For cargo weighing between 120 and 180
tons, we use our own specially designed Samson
heavy-lift trailers.
For cargo that exceeds the capacity of our own
equipment, Wallenius Wilhelmsen utilises jack-up trailers,
also known as cometto trailers, which can be configured
to the exact requirements of the cargo. Towing
or trailering cargo on board eliminates the risk of potential
damage during lift-on/lift-off operations.
Stowage
On most trade routes, equipment weighing up to 340
tons can be stowed below deck. Depending on the
type of cargo, equipment may be securely lashed and
stowed on blocks and beams, or alternatively, it may
also remain on the trailer used to load the equipment
for the entire duration of the ocean voyage.
Static Cargo 15

Power generation
equipment
Power generation equipment is exceptionally large and
heavy cargo. As such, it requires exceptional attention
to detail for secure handling and safe transport.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen provides both.
Every day Wallenius Wilhelmsen is involved in transporting
all types of power generation equipment — from
144-ton generators to 305-ton turbines — somewhere
around the globe. This experience, in addition to giving
us insight into exactly how each type of equipment
should be handled and stowed, also ensures operations
can be run more efficiently.
Then there is always the unexpected challenge. We
have encountered our fair share and can rely on both
our ingenuity and expertise to come up with innovative
transport solutions. Tackling these challenges is part of
our commitment to delivering your cargo in perfect condition,
every time.

Handling
Wallenius Wilhelmsen cargo specialists are on hand
every step of the way to ensure proper handling and
stowage. Different types of trailers, our own as well as
leased, are used to transport the equipment.
Rolltrailers handle cargo, such as generators and
power plant equipment in crates, weighing up to 120
tons.
Samson heavy-lift trailers, specially developed by
Wallenius Wilhelmsen, carry heavier equipment such as
transformers that have a gross weight of up to 180
tons.
Even heavier loads can be accommodated on 12axle
jack-up trailers, popularly known as cometto trailers.
These sectional jack-up trailers are configured
according to the size and weight of the cargo.
Stowage
Equipment, such as generators, turbines and transformers,
are stowed below deck. Wallenius Wilhelmsen is
able to stow cargo weighing up to 340 tons below
deck. Equipment may be stowed and securely lashed
on blocks and beams, or alternately, it may also remain
on the trailer used to load the equipment for the entire
duration of the ocean voyage.
Static Cargo 17

Wind turbine
equipment
Wallenius Wilhelmsen transports increasing volumes of
wind turbine equipment around the globe. Because
construction and maintenance costs are similar whether
the turbine is large or small, utility companies are building
the largest feasible turbines to gain competitive
advantage. Our job is simply to deliver.
Whether just-in-time delivery for a new wind farm site
or ongoing transport of replacement parts, Wallenius
Wilhelmsen is up to the challenge.
Our cargo specialists pay great attention to details —
to every aspect of loading, stowage and discharging of
tower sections, individual nacelles and hubs or complete
wind turbines.
For example, we know that blades of all sizes are
susceptible to windage. Therefore when placing blades
on the weather deck, our crane operators exercise
extreme control to ensure proper, incident-free loading.

Transport to wherever the
wind blows
Wallenius Wilhelmsen moves wind turbine equipment.
Here are a few examples:
Three 39-metre replacement windmill blades in a
single shipment.
Eighteen 22-metre windmill blades in a single
shipment.
Shipment of a 40,000-kg nacelle, a 25,000-kg hub
and a 43,000-kg drive chain.
Three tower sections of varying weights and sizes:
Weight
44,500 kg
39,500 kg
31,500 kg
Size
15.2 m x 4.11 m x 3.78 m
26.55 m x 3.87 m x 2.9 m
15.25 m x 3.78 m x 3.78 m
Below deck stowage
Nacelles and hubs. These are usually packed in fibreglass
moulds for protection. Wallenius Wilhelmsen usually
loads and transports an 80-ton nacelle and a 10ton
hub together on a 40-foot rolltrailer. Chains secure
the cargo onto the rolltrailer, which in turn is lashed
with chains onto the deck of the vessel.
Loose blades with deck supports. Loading windmill
blades requires open space for safe and efficient operations,
which is why loose blades that are wrapped in
plastic are often the first cargo to go on board at the
port of loading.
Blades with deck supports are loaded onto 25-m
shuttle trailers. Once on board, Wallenius Wilhelmsen
uses specially manufactured bottom lifting devices to
stow the cargo. Blades are stowed and secured side
by side, turned tip to base, to ensure the most efficient
utilisation of space.
Blades in stackable frames. Shippers also deliver
pairs of blades in stackable frames with each end of
the blade secured within the frame. These frames can
be efficiently stacked below deck.
On deck stowage
Static Cargo 19
Loose blades with deck supports. Blades that are
longer than 25 m are usually lifted by crane onto and
off the weather deck of the vessel where they rest on
deck supports.
Towers. Wind towers are generally divided into three
sections in lengths of approximately 25 m each. Each
section can weigh anything between 15 and 40 tons.
Tower sections are usually handled on rolltrailers and
secured for transport on the weather deck.

Railway
equipment
Though not an obvious means of transport, a large
number of railcars are transported each year by sea.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen is one of the industry’s leading
railcar carriers.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen has developed two unique
concepts for handling railcars, one for fully assembled
railcars with bogies and one for railcar shells without
bogies. Rolltrailers, also known as mafi trailers, are also
used to transport railcars.
Rubber Tyre Bogies
Wallenius Wilhelmsen carries railcar shells without
bogies on board our RoRo vessels using Rubber Tyre
Bogies. These are customised to fit the specific railcar
model to be transported. During typical operations railcars
are lifted only twice: once onto the Rubber Tyre
Bogies and once off. Once situated on the Rubber Tyre
Bogies, railcars are then towed on board for stowage
below deck.
Rubber Tyre Bogies are equipped with air brakes for
road use. If road permits have been granted in the
exporting country and in the country of destination,
Wallenius Wilhelmsen can offer door-to-door delivery of
railcars. Wallenius Wilhelmsen Rubber Tyre Bogies
have been granted road permits for use in the United
States.

Tight space, tight deadline
How do you get a 31-m railcar to withstand a much
steeper climb than it has been built for and then turn it
more or less 90 degrees inside a 32-m-wide vessel?
This was the challenge that Wallenius Wilhelmsen was
faced with in Bremerhaven, Germany.
A special design team quickly created the perfect
solution by simply shortening two rolltrailers and fitting
each with a turntable. These were then placed under
each end of the railcar in a way that relieved the sensitive
bogie sets from any stress.
Once inside the vessel, the turntables made it possible
to swing the railcar with very little radius, contributing
to the success of loading and discharging operations.
Air Shuttle
The Air Shuttle trailer is specially designed by
Wallenius Wilhelmsen for loading and discharging fully
assembled railcars with rail bogies attached.
Fitted with rails on top and a pneumatic system, the
Air Shuttle can raise and lower the trailer bed to
ground level, eliminating the need to lift the cargo.
Instead, railcars weighing up to 47.5 tons can be towed
from rail tracks directly on to the Air Shuttle. Once the
railcars are wheeled onto the vessel, the shuttle is
removed and deployed elsewhere, saving time, cutting
costs and improving the overall quality of service.
Greenhofer
Greenhofer is the Air Shuttle’s “little brother” and functions
very much in the same way. However, the
Greenhofer can only transport a maximum weight of up
to 15 tons, which makes it ideal for the transport of railcar
shells and light railcars with exposed rail bogies or
with rail bogies in crates.
Static Cargo 21

Natural
rubber
Wallenius Wilhelmsen transports significant volumes of
natural rubber. Though not extremely heavy, high or
bulky, this sensitive cargo requires special handling procedures.
Through years of practical experience, Wallenius
Wilhelmsen has learned about the unique characteristics
of natural rubber, especially its sensitivity to moisture.
Due to this sensitivity, this type of cargo is always
loaded and stored under cover.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen has developed secure handling
procedures to ensure that natural rubber retains
its key properties and characteristics necessary for the
onward manufacture into finished products.

Handling and stowage
Wallenius Wilhelmsen handles consignments of natural
rubber that are packed in steel or wooden crates or
shrink-wrapped on wooden pallets, by using trucks or
road trailers to transport the pallets or crates on board.
Small forklifts are then used to lift and stow the
cargo. Shrink-wrapped units and wooden crates are
carefully stacked, three high, below deck. When
stacked three high, shrink-wrapped units may be staggered.
Strong plywood boards are placed between the
layers to provide extra support. Metal crates may be
stacked four high and cardboard is placed between
the layers.
Sturdy lashings secure the cargo, and corner protectors
prevent damage to the edges. To prevent damage
to cargo, the dew point is constantly measured below
deck and proper ventilation facilitates the prevention of
excess humidity. Static Cargo 23

Steel
Whether in sheets, coils and cable reels or as pipes
and beams, all types of special steel are transported on
board Wallenius Wilhelmsen vessels. We move large
lots of low-grade steel as well as smaller lots of highgrade
steel, such as stainless steel, all over the world.
To accommodate these heavy loads, our RoRo vessels
have deck strengths on the tank top of up to 10 tons
per square metre.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen is well aware that steel is
highly susceptible to corrosion and therefore we ensure
that this corrosion-sensitive cargo is always loaded and
discharged in dry weather conditions or under cover.
We also know that steel coils are particularly sensitive
to mechanical damage and to pressure derived
from excessive handling and that any distortion is detrimental
to further processing. To prevent damage, we
therefore prefer to load sheets and pipes on bolsters.

Handling
Coils. Depending on their size and weight, coils are
handled with forklifts with special attachments. For
large steel coils, we use a forklift attachment fitted with
a large rod. Smaller coils are handled with a forklift fitted
with a suitable piece of pipe threaded onto the
prongs.
Sheets. Bolsters or rolltrailers are used to transport
stainless steel sheets. To prevent the wavering of the
sheets, sufficient interlayer dunnage is placed underneath
each sheet or pack of sheets. Edges and corners
are also protected. Stainless steel is always stored
under cover in the terminal on flat, dry, clean surface
areas.
Pipes. Small to medium-sized pipes are carried on bolsters,
which may be used for door-to-door transport.
Pipes are secured to the bolster with wire or chains of
sufficient strength, and the length of the pipe may
sometimes exceed that of the bolster itself.
Exceptionally large pipes are generally handled as
loose cargo, while smaller pipes may be bundled for
handling by a medium-sized forklift.
Stowage
Due to its weight, steel is generally stowed in the lower
hold. These holds are protected from weather and seawater
to minimise the risk of corrosion. Smaller volumes
may be stowed under ramps.
Static Cargo 25

Bridging distances
from shore to sea
Reliable equipment
to pull it off
Loading, stowing and discharging cargo are delicate
operational procedures that demand both experienced
personnel as well as purpose-built equipment. The
longer, the taller and the heavier the cargo, the greater
the demands.
Whatever your shipping needs, Wallenius
Wilhelmsen can supply the equipment necessary to
ensure that we handle your cargo in the safest and
most efficient manner possible. If the equipment does
not exist to handle your particular cargo, our design
specialists use their ingenuity to customise a solution.
Our range of well-adapted equipment facilitates
loading and discharging operations. Our equipment is
clean, readily accessible and undergoes scheduled
maintenance and inspections. Wallenius Wilhelmsen
personnel make sure that operations are conducted
safely and without incident in keeping with our zerotolerance
policy.
Here are some examples of the reliable equipment
that we use to handle your cargo.
Equipment 27

Rolltrailers
For large, heavy cargo
Technical specifications
Maximum gross weight
Capacity (gross)
Maximum length (in feet)
Maximum width
Maximum height when stowed
Maximum height with cargo
Acceptable rear trailer overhang
* Based on standard 100-ton rolltrailer
Dimensions*
92 tons
60 - 120 tons
20, 40, 60, 80
2.50 m (8 feet)
0.85 m
5.6 m (PCTC)
5.5 m (RoRo)
3 m (10 feet)
Rolltrailers, which are also known as mafi trailers, are
designed for RoRo transport of large heavy units, but
can also be used for most types of general cargo and
containers. Rolltrailers are also frequently used for
transporting cargo into and out of the lower decks of a
vessel, where the cargo is taken off the trailer and
stowed loose and secured.

Securing cargo
Wallenius Wilhelmsen rolltrailers have wooden floors
and rubber mats to provide a non-skid surface. Lashing
rings or bars are located on both sides and at the front
and rear of the trailer. Depending on the type of cargo,
Wallenius Wilhelmsen uses chains, wires or web lashings
to secure the cargo to the rolltrailer. Additional
lashings from the cargo directly to the deck of the vessel
are used to secure large and heavy cargo and rolltrailers
are secured to the deck with chains.
For longer, shorter or narrower cargo
Wallenius Wilhelmsen has solutions for heavy cargo
that is longer, shorter or narrower than our standard
rolltrailers. For longer cargo, rolltrailers can be extended
by adding a bolster that is positioned 3 m (10 ft) from
the rear end of the rolltrailer and secured by a twist
lock. For shorter cargo, steel beams or heavy timber
may be placed length-wise beneath the cargo and on
top of the trailer to distribute the weight. For narrow
cargo that is less than 3 m wide, the cargo is placed
on steel beams or on heavy timber blocks extending
from side beam to side beam.
One of the world’s largest fleets
Wallenius Wilhelmsen operates one of the world’s
largest fleets of rolltrailers, more than 1,200 in all. It is a
diverse fleet ranging in length from 6 to 24.38 m and in
capacity from 25 to 120 tons.
Equipment 29

Jack-up trailer
For exceptionally heavy cargo
Technical specifications
Maximum gross weight
Configuration
Maximum configuration
Maximum size
Maximum weight
Dimensions
Up to 340 tons
Units in four-axle sections
12 axles long x 8 m wide
Customised
Customised
Jack-up, or cometto trailers are built to carry exceptionally
heavy cargo weighing several hundred tons. A jackup
trailer consists of four-axle sections that can be configured
to carry cargo of almost any size and weight.
The largest configuration is 12 axles long by 8 m wide
and rests on 192 wheels.
Before transfer onto a jack-up trailer, the cargo is
placed on beams and support blocks in the terminal.
Steel support blocks are required for heavy units that
weigh 120 tons or more. For cargo weighing less than
120 tons, heavy timber support blocks may be used.
Cargo specialists use the built-in hydraulic system to
lower the trailer into position to take on cargo, carefully
placing the trailer beneath the cargo. Once in the correct
position, the trailer is elevated, carrying the full
weight of the cargo and steel beams. The support
blocks are then removed and the trailer is towed on
board by one or more heavy-duty tow trucks.
Once the trailer is in the correct position on board,
support blocks are placed under the beams. The trailer
is lowered until the full weight of the cargo rests on the
support blocks. The trailer is then removed and the
cargo secured. This operation is reversed at the port of
discharge.

Equipment 31

Samson heavy-lift
trailer
For small and
medium-sized cargo
Technical specifications
Maximum payload (gross)
Maximum cargo length
Maximum width
Turning radius
Dimensions
180 tons
8 - 11 m
3 m
43 m (141 feet)
The Samson heavy-lift trailer is well suited for small and
medium-sized lifts, such as transformers, generators
and turbines.
Specially designed by Wallenius Wilhelmsen, this
heavy-duty trailer consists of a platform with two-wheel
bogies with two axles each. Many of our vessels can
accept a four-axle trailer with a gross weight of 180
tons, without exceeding the maximum permissible axle
load.
Before loading, cargo is placed on the platform of
the trailer. The trailer with the cargo is then transported
by two tow tractors to a stowage location on board.
Using an electric hydraulic pump which raises the integrated
hydraulic pistons, the platform is elevated to
enable the positioning of heavy timber or steel supports.
Heavy timber or steel blocks are placed under the
side beams of the platform, after which the platform is
then lowered so that it rests on the blocks. The bogies
can now be pulled out from underneath the platform
and used for the next lift. At the port of discharge the
procedures are reversed.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen has manufactured 12 Samson
heavy-lift trailers: eight 8-m-long flats and four 10-mlong
flats. All platforms are 3 m wide. Wallenius
Wilhelmsen has five sets of bogies with electrically
powered hydraulic pumps.

Equipment 33

Air Shuttle trailer and
Greenhofer
For railcars with bogies
attached
Air Shuttle
Technical specifications
Maximum payload
Maximum length (adjustable)
Maximum width
Maximum height (when stowed)
Maximum height (with cargo)
Greenhofer
Technical specifications
Maximum payload
Maximum cargo length
Maximum width
Maximum height when stowed
Maximum height with cargo
Dimensions
47.5 tons
21.35 m
2.45 m
0.55 - 0.84 m
6.3 m (PCTC)
6.2 m (RoRo)
Dimensions
15 tons
25 m
2.45 m
0.55 - 0.84 m
6.3 m (PCTC)
6.2 m (RoRo)
The Air Shuttle trailer is proof of Wallenius
Wilhelmsen’s ingenuity at work. Designed by employees
in Bremerhaven, these trailers transport fully
assembled railcars or railcar shells with rail bogies
attached. The Air Shuttle eliminates the need to lift
heavy assembled railcars, trams and subway cars by
crane onto rolltrailers for transport.
The Greenhofer is a smaller variant of the Air Shuttle
and as such, it functions much in the same way.
However, because of its lighter construction, the
Greenhofer carries a maximum payload of 15 tons
while the Air Shuttle can carry loads of up to 47.5 tons.
The Air Shuttle and Greenhofer significantly reduce
the potential for damage that can result from lifting
heavy cargoes that may contain sensitive computer
equipment. Railcars simply roll on to and off of the trailers.
This process saves time, cuts costs and improves
the overall quality of service provided.

How it works
Fitted with rails on top, the Air Shuttle has a pneumatic
system that can lower the trailer bed to ground level.
This enables direct transfer of railcars from rail racks to
the Air Shuttle trailer via a ramp. Railcars can also be
lifted onto the trailer. Horizontal transfer to or from
another trailer is also possible. The distance between
the frames on which the wheel bogies rest can be
adjusted.
The Air Shuttle lifts the railcar and frames off of the
frame supports and transports the railcar to a stowage
location on board. There the trailer is lowered so that
the frames again rest on the stanchions. The Air Shuttle
is now free to load the next railcar. At the port of discharge
the procedures are then reversed.
Only two Air Shuttles are required for a major contract,
one located in the port of loading, and one in the
port of discharge.
Equipment 35

Rubber Tyre Bogies
For railcar shells
Technical specifications
Maximum number of units
Maximum gross weight
Maximum length
Maximum width
Maximum height
Dimensions
2 per railcar shell
45 tons
Customised
Customised
Customised
The Rubber Tyre Bogie concept was originally developed
for below-deck RoRo service of railcar shells
shipped without bogies attached and equipped with air
brakes.
How it works
Each railcar shell requires two Rubber Tyre Bogies,
which together can accommodate a load of approximately
45 tons. Wallenius Wilhelmsen customises the
bolsters on top of the Rubber Tyre Bogies according to
the technical specifications of the railcar shell.
The customised bolsters act as the coupling that
connects the railcar shell to the Rubber Tyre Bogies.
The railcar shell is lifted onto and coupled at each end
of the car to the Rubber Tyre Bogies. A railcar shell is
lifted only twice, onto Rubber Tyre Bogies when loading
and off again when discharging the cargo.
A terminal truck tows the Rubber Tyre Bogies with
the railcar shell on board. For safe manoeuvring, the
bolster on the front bogie remains unlocked to facilitate
turning while the bolster on the rear bogie is locked.

Stowage
Once the railcar shell is on board the vessel, the tow
truck is usually disconnected. The rear bolster is then
unlocked. Two small forklifts, one at each end of the
shell, manoeuvre the railcar into its final stowage position.
Both bolsters are then locked to hold the shell
securely in place, eliminating the need for lashing the
shell.
Timber stanchion blocks are placed, both fore and
aft, under the bolsters on both sides. The Rubber Tyre
Bogies are securely lashed with chains and binders to
rings that are welded to the deck of the vessel. At the
port of discharge, this operation is reversed.
Door-to-door service
Door-to-door service can be provided as long as road
permits for the bogies have been obtained in the
exporting country and in the country of destination.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s Rubber Tyre Bogies have been
granted road permits for use in the United States. This
enables the delivery of railcar shells on bogies directly
to the factories.
Shippers can pick up Rubber Tyre Bogies from the
terminal and transport them to their sites. Shippers can
also transport railcar shells to the Wallenius Wilhelmsen
terminal for mounting by our stevedores. After transport,
shippers simply return the empty Rubber Tyre Bogies
coupled in pairs to the Wallenius Wilhelmsen terminal.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen currently owns approximately
250 Rubber Tyre Bogies.
Equipment 37

Bolsters
For heavy, bulky cargo
Technical specifications
Maximum gross weight
Maximum length
Maximum width
Maximum height (when stowed)
Maximum height of cargo on
bolsters
Dimensions*
23.5 tons
6.10 m (20 feet)
2.44 m (8 feet)
0.23 m (9 inches)
6.20 m (PCTC)
6.10 m (RoRo)
* (ISO measures) Based on standard 20-foot bolsters.
Bolsters, or flatbeds, are well suited to ensure damagefree
handling of heavy, bulky cargo. This includes cargo
such as components, pallets, bales, bundles, reels or
crates. Heavy-duty forklift trucks and trailers move and
stow the bolsters.
Cargo on bolsters is always stowed below deck and
may be stacked, depending on the type of cargo. To
secure the cargo, web lashings or chains are threaded
through the lashing eyes on all four sides of the bolster.
For fragile cargo, Wallenius Wilhelmsen places corner
protectors under the lashings. Bolsters are secured to
the deck of the vessel.
On request, shippers can collect bolsters for stuffing.
Empty bolsters are transported in bundles of six
units per truckload. Consignees can pick up the loaded
bolsters at our terminals in the port of discharge for
transport to their warehouses.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen owns approximately 5,000
bolsters.

Equipment 39

This product is approved according to the Nordic countries common environmental
marking system (the swan) which includes both the paper and the printing.
About Wallenius Wilhelmsen
Wallenius Wilhelmsen provides global ocean transportation
and logistics management services to customers
that expect timely and reliable deliveries. We
transport vehicles, heavy equipment, static cargo and
non-containerised cargo. We also manage the outbound
supply chain for vehicle manufacturers as well
as construction and agricultural equipment manufacturers.
Thanks to a diverse, multicultural organisation with
experts around the world, Wallenius Wilhelmsen continues
to deliver solutions that make a difference to our
customers. We use innovative thinking and focus on
high performance to exceed customer expectations.
This enables us to add value to our customers’ businesses.
To contact the Wallenius Wilhelmsen office or agent
near you, visit our website at www.2wglobal.com.
www.2wglobal.com