Oversized and heavy cargo transport specialist Berard has recently been contracted to move three boiler sections from Abilene in Texas to a refinery in New Orleans, Louisiana. Several challenges presented themselves during the project including heavy loads and lack of nearby waterways. 

The heaviest load had a gross weight of nearly 800,000 pounds (362.8 tons). The geographic location of the refinery limited the delivery via a truck, while the boiler fabrication yard itself was nearly 500 miles (805 km) away from the nearest navigable waterway.

To ensure the delivery is executed, Berard transport engineers developed a plan to deliver the three boiler sections to a barge dock in Houston, Texas. The delivery was completed using 14 axle lines of Faymonville DualMAX platform trailer and a Trail King 13-axle lowboy.

Once at the dock, a 12-axle line Goldhofer PST-SLE transporter loaded the three components onto the Berard-owned BTI 1945 deck barge. Berard provided a bathymetric survey of the shallow channel leading to the roll-off dock, ensuring an efficient towing and roll-off operation.

The final 4-mile journey to the refinery was completed on schedule using a 12-axle line Goldhofer THP/SL trailer, the company said.