ALE completes 12,000 tonne move

International heavy lift and transport company ALE has completed one of the world's heaviest land moves of a vessel in Dubai, UAE.

At 12,000 tonnes, the specialist wind turbine installation vessel is the largest ever loaded out on a single model of self propelled modular transporter (SPMT), ALE said. For the move the UK-based company used 418 axle lines of Scheuerle SPMT.

The SPMT was installed under the vessel and it was removed from the temporary stools at its location in the fabrication facility in the Jebel Ali Free zone of Dubai. It was then transported more than 1 km to the load-out quay.

Cameron Waugh, ALE general manager, said, "It is always a great sense of achievement to perform a first for the company but to achieve a world first on one of our projects proves how ALE, through careful planning and a skilled workforce truly are pushing the boundaries in the heavy lift industry."

On arrival at the load out area ALE rolled the vessel on its SPMT, onto semi-submersible barge, Jebel Ali Pride, in readiness for float-off and subsequent deployment offshore. Brave Tern is designed for the offshore installation of wind turbines and their foundations.

ALE was founded in 1983 by Roger Harries. It offers a service covering all aspects of handling, transporting and installing heavy, indivisible loads. Activities include lifting, transporting, installing, ballasting, jacking and weighing. The company works in a wide range of sectors, including civil, oil and gas, energy, nuclear, offshore, renewables, petrochemical, ports, marine, minerals and metals and mining.

Equipment milestones include the 2008 launch of the AL.SK190, which ALE claims as the world's largest land-based crane. With a capacity of 4,300 tonnes it was developed for lifting and installing ultra heavy loads. It can be relocated on site fully rigged. In 2011 the Mega Jack system was launched. It can lift 50,000 tonnes to a height of 25 m.