J M Baxi Heavy: Providing Heavy Haul Transportation via Trailers

“For heavy haul operations via trailers, we look for solutions that encompass client’s budget, safety concerns, and project timelines, and we conduct route surveys for identifying potential roadblocks and hazards in order to formulate effective contingency plans,” says Sameer Parikh, President & Chief Business Officer, J M Baxi Heavy.

What problems need to be addressed when transporting heavy cargo in trailers?

When transporting cargo via trailers, a significant hurdle is the mismatch between the dimensions of the cargo and the infrastructure of the road network, which is not typically designed to accommodate such large loads/dimensions. A key aspect is conducting thorough route surveys to understand potential roadblocks and hazards, allowing us to proactively address them or develop contingency plans.

It's important to note that in our industry, contracts awarded are often based on competitive pricing, sometimes overlooking the importance of comprehensive solutions. Therefore, a proactive and comprehensive approach to route planning is essential for successful cargo transport operations.

What safety measures do you consider while transporting on difficult terrains?

To ensure safety while transporting heavy cargo in difficult terrains over long distances, we plan and implement a series of safety measures to mitigate risks. Our key safety considerations include:

• Personnel Safety: Managing movement of people involved in the operation to minimize the risk of accidents or injuries.
• Electrical Shutdown Planning: Coordinating with local authorities to plan and align electrical shutdowns, when necessary.
• Bridge Calculations: Thoroughly assessing the load-bearing capacity of bridges along the route to prevent any structural issues during transit.
• Hydraulic Axle Stability: Ensuring that the hydraulic axles used are stable and equipped to handle the specific demands of the cargo, especially on uneven or challenging terrains.
• Parking and Rest Areas: Identifying suitable parking and rest areas along the route, particularly on journeys that may require extended transit times due to permissions and challenging terrains.
• Bypass Routes or Civil Works: When applicable, constructing bypass routes or undertaking necessary civil works to ensure smooth transport.

This is by no means an exhaustive list, as safety considerations can vary significantly based on the specific project and terrain. However, these critical points represent the foundation of our safety planning efforts to execute projects successfully in challenging environments.

What support is provided by the manufacturers of the trailers to minimize downtime?

While trailer downtime can occur occasionally, we take prompt measures to minimize the risk of downtime. We ensure that the trailers are thoroughly checked before they are deployed. Our team follows a daily checklist to inspect the hydraulic axles before the trailer hits the road.

Moreover, we maintain an inventory of all spare parts to swiftly address any unforeseen requirement. In case of an unexpected downtime, we have a dedicated workshop that responds immediately with the necessary solutions. We are supported by the trailer manufacturers, who share our commitment to minimizing downtime. They lend support through service agreements and readily available spare parts, ensuring efficient operation of their equipment. This collaborative effort allows us to maintain high operational efficiency even in the face of occasional challenges.

What support is required from the government in terms of policies and infrastructure for smooth ODC transportation?

Though the government has been proactive in responding to the needs of the trade, there are certain areas where government support become crucial for seamless transportation of Over Dimensional Cargo (ODC). These areas include:

Development of Special Routes: Specialized logistics often require routes that can accommodate heavy and oversized cargo. Government support in developing and maintaining these routes is essential to ensure safe, cost-effective, and efficient ODC transportation.

Revisiting Asset Duties: Considering the high duty costs on assets, it's important for the government to review and possibly revise these duties. This can help mitigate financial burdens, especially given the exchange rate fluctuations and the extended lead times (8 to 10 months) for importing assets.

Time Constraints: Heavy lift projects, in particular, are subject to strict time constraints. Restrictions on daily travel distances could be as low as 20 km per day or 150 km per day, depending on cargo dimensions, which can impact project timelines. The government’s flexibility or support in this regard would be beneficial.

In short, while the government has taken positive steps to support the logistics industry, focusing on specific areas such as developing specialized routes, addressing the concern on high import duties, and accommodating time constraints—will further enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of ODC transportation in India.

How do you envisage the demand of trailers in the growing Logistics market of India?

Currently, demand for trailers is generally sufficient. During situations like cargo bunching or the monsoon season, there is slower movements of heavy cargo. As India strives to achieve its ambitious goal of becoming a $5 trillion economy, it is likely that the demand for trailers and other transportation assets will increase. The growth of various industries, including e-commerce, and the overall expansion of the supply chain will contribute to this rising demand.

However, it's important to note that the import duty on such assets, which stands at 28%, can be a limiting factor. This duty can make trailers relatively expensive and may pose restrictions, particularly for smaller players in the logistics industry. In summary, while there are challenges to contend with, the future of the hydraulic axle market in India looks promising, driven by the country's economic growth aspirations and the continued evolution of its logistics landscape.

Transporting and Delivering the Heaviest & Widest Crude & Vacuum Columns on Indian Roads

Introduction : In 2017, HPCL embarked on a mission to expand its Visakh Refinery as part of the 9 MMTPA CDU &VDU project within the Visakh Refinery Modernisation Project (VRMP).

These columns, recognised as the heaviest and widest ever to travel on Indian roads, marked a significant milestone in the project.


Objective : The objective was to transport the enormous columns from their fabrication site (Hazira Yard, Larsen and Toubro Limited) to HPCL’s Visakh refinery as part of the VRMP in a single piece, defying conventional wisdom. The equipment details for the two columns are listed below:

1. Vacuum Column: Dimensions of 63.3 x13.1 x 14.3 metres, weighing 990 tons
2. Crude Column: Dimensions of 76 x 9.3 x 9.93 metres, weighing 728 tons

Challenges: The project faced several challenges:

1. Dealing with different monsoon seasons in the East and West Coasts of India.
2. A 2000-nautical-mile sea voyage from the west coast of India around Sri Lanka.
3. Developing the route within HSL and overcoming the complexities of this Ministry of Defense Area.
4. Overcoming obstacles such as road dividers, tree relocations, electric wires, and drainage developments.
5. Ensuring safety through police escorts during the transport.
6. Coordinating berthing at HSL jetty in a Mediterranean position, temporarily blocking the port channel.

Solutions: From conceptualisation of fabrication to the actual transport execution, Lift and Shift played an integral role

1. LSPL conducted a comprehensive feasibility study, exploring all available port facilities around HPCL, including private jetties.
2. Detailed surveys were conducted, identifying three possible transport routes.
3. LSPL also undertook a 10-year sea study, orchestrated ballast calculations, and arranged for additional tugs to navigate through cyclonic weather conditions. The columns were loaded using 64 SPMT axles onto LSPL's ocean-going barge AF 281.
4. LSPL's marine team coordinated with the tug crews to ensure safe navigation.

Results: LSPL’s exceptional delivered these colossal columns safely to HPCL’s site, garnering appreciation in planning, coordination and professionalism. This remarkable achievement stands as a testament to LSPL’s expertise and commitment to tackling extraordinary transportation challenges, leaving a mark in the history of Indian logistics and heavy infrastructure management.