Special Transport

Among the Dutch transport companies there are several with a world-wide reputation for moving heavy and outsized loads.

In this programme by Gertjan Houtman several of the most specialist companies are featured undertaking the transport of some very unusual loads. We see the Sarens group transporting an immense 820 tonne section of a newly built cutter-suction dredger moved over water as well as a port container crane.

Mammoet's skill with SPMTs is demonstrated when they move three heavy Smit transformers over water (in force 8 wind!), road (unusually, during the day) and use 2-stack work to cross a railway.

It's an operation needing some skillful driving! We also see them place two viaducts, one of which is over a hundred metres long.

Saan's special load is a Hercules plane being taken from its museum to painting facilities in Lelystad.

It's a night-time operation which involves two transport combinations, three telescopic cranes and various escort vehicles.

Liebherr cranes are poised en route to leapfrog the plane over obstacles. Rensink often move huge tanks but now and then, something very different turns up. Like moving a super-luxury houseboat from the boatyard to its moorings in the heart of the city of Deventer.

It's not a world-record distance but load dimensions of 18 metres by 6, and a weight of 130 tons all add up to an interesting challenge.