World's largest rail-mounted stacker and reclaimer for South Flank Project
The world’s largest rail-mounted stacker and reclaimer machines were transported from the port of Henderson, AU to Port Hedland, AU onboard BigLift Shipping’s mv Happy Dragon. These huge machines are destined for BHP’s $US3.6 billion South Flank iron ore project site in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.
Each has a capacity of 20,000 t/h, making them the largest rail-mounted stacker and reclaimer machines in the world. The two stackers will deposit iron ore into stockyards for loading, while the reclaimer will load the ore onto trains for transport to Port Hedland from the South Flank mine. Once completed, South Flank will be one of the world’s largest iron ore operations.
BigLift Shipping was awareded the transportation contract because of its capabilities and experience in complex heavy lift transport operations. With Covid -19 travel restrictions in place, the experience of the vessel’s crew and team on the ground in Western Australia were paramount in the success of the project.
Extensive lift studies and 3D modelling of the operations were conducted by BigLift’s engineering team to support the operations. In particular, two boom sections, each more than 60 metres in length, required precision planning.
