Transporting large hydraulic mining shovels to Finland’s largest open-pit mine

Ahlers was recently awarded the delivery of 3 large hydraulic mining shovels from Antwerp to the Siilinjärvi carbonatite complex, located in Central Finland. Even though Finland is not a typical destination, we were supporting our ‘follow the (key) client philosophy’ and together with a local partner, providing a solution to fit the customers’ needs, taking into account their strict delivery times. 

The transported CAT6030 units were quite impressive, to say the least. The Cat 6030 Hydraulic Mining Shovel provides the most powerful engine output in its class - delivering the productivity you expect, with the reliability you demand. The bucket payload is a staggering 33000 kilograms. Each unit had to be dismantled into approximately 30 (oversized) components and needed 12 deliveries to bring the entire unit from Port of Kotka to its final destination. Port of Kotka is located on the Gulf of Finland, and even under strenuous temperature conditions, we continued our operations. 

The first unit was successfully delivered in the second week of March, the next delivery is planned in the third week of March with the last delivery to be scheduled in April.

Customer challenges

  • Port-to-end service required
  • Tight delivery schedule 
  • Traceability, visibility, and daily reporting as key requirements

Customer benefits

  • Port-to-end solution ensuring full supply chain visibility.
  • Operational kick-off including our partner at the destination, offering full transparency.
  • Dedicated staff key locations, a daily progress report, and supporting project pictures

Project Scope

  • Receiving of the cargo in the port of Antwerp
  • Loading on Mafi Trailers
  • Ocean freight to Kotka Finland
  • Port operations + reloading on trucks in Kotka, Finland
  • Road delivery to the final destination – Siilinjärvi mine in Central Finland