Sarens deploys cutting-edge engineering expertise
Iron ore is among the world’s most important commodities, and the port of LKAB in Narvik, Norway, exports millions of tonnes of it each year.
With a major investment aimed at modernising operations and securing long-term operational reliability, the port’s 1977-era shiploader was slated for replacement–and Sarens was called in for the job.
For this two-part operation, Sarens was contracted to remove the existing 2.900-tonne shiploader and then load out, transport, and install its modern 2.200-tonne replacement. This operation brought together the best of Sarens’ engineering ingenuity and ability to execute complex projects with real global impact.
Before replacement work could begin, Sarens first verified the structural integrity of the 1970s shiploader. A 3D scan mapped the structure’s geometry to enable precise removal planning, while a complete structural assessment revealed the need for further reinforcement, which would be designed and coordinated by Sarens. The team also examined the strength and stability of the barge, SPMTs, jacking system, and mooring, and determined the shiploader’s precise weight using a series of hydraulic jacks and weighing cells.
With careful planning as their north star, the Sarens crew could execute a safe and smooth removal operation. Because the shiploader consisted of three main components, it was removed accordingly: Sarens first used four CS 1000 jacking towers, positioned on a barge, to remove the 2.500-tonne main body. Next, the smaller, 200-tonne landside and seaside slewing points were driven aboard the barge with SPMTs.
Because the shiploader was destined for a second life at a new location, it had to be carefully positioned and secured for further barge transport. The main body was placed diagonally on the barge atop the jacking towers, and SPMTs then lifted it from the jacking towers, rotated it, and set it down on the grillages for transport to our client’s operations base at Wergeland base AS in Gulen, Norway. Once there, SPMTs were used to drive all three components onto the quay, and a CS 1000 and SPMTs reinstalled it for continued operation at its new location.
Sarnes was also responsible for loading the new shiploader components onto our barge at the assembly yard in Szczecin, Poland. We then transported them by sea to Narvik before installing the shiploader in its final position at the LKAB yard. We also manage the complete marine scope of work for this project.
Like its predecessor, the new shiploader also consisted of three main components: a 1.800-tonne main body and 200-tonne landside and seaside slewing points. While the main body and seaside slewing point could be transported fully-assembled, the seaside slewing point had to be loaded in smaller components for final assembly in Narvik.
In preparation for load-out operations in Poland, Sarens deployed load-spreading material beneath the SPMTs: the steel structures, combined with a gravel ramp, successfully distributed the shiploader’s weight during load-out onto the barge. The assembled sections were driven onto the barge via SPMTs, and a telescopic crane loaded the landside components.
When everything arrived in Narvik, SPMTs and a telescopic crane first unloaded the landside and seaside components. While these were being prepared for assembly onto the main shiploader body, the barge moved to another quay to load the jacking systems and SPMTs that would be used during the final installation.
Back at the installation zone, the main body was then jacked up using eight CS 450 jacking towers before being transferred to SPMTs with four CS 1000 jacking towers on top. It was subsequently jacked up, rotated, and installed on top of the two slewing points.
At Sarens, we are proud to help clients modernise their operations so they are prepared for whatever the future may bring–and this project was no exception.
