Nurminen takes minesweeper to sea

A decommissioned minesweeper was transported across Finland by Nurminen Logistics using a 680 hp four-axle MAN tractor and 10-axle Goldhofer modular trailer. The ship went over land from Lake Näsijärvi in Tampere to Pori Harbour, near Helsinki.

The 124 km journey took 28 hours to transport the 37 metre vessel by road. The boat's dimensions - 44 m long, 6.6 m wide and 8.2 m tall, and weight of 206 tonnes, presented a number of challenges en route. Overhead electricity cables had to be switched off while the load passed through and, as the journey took place in January, the Finnish winter weather added its own concerns.

The boat is now known as Guardboat 55. Prior to her relocation she served as a cruiser on Lake Näsijärvi. She will now continue her career as a cruiser in Helsinki from the summer.