Vanguard has successfully completed the delivery of 25 wind turbines from the Port of Richards Bay in KwaZulu-Natal to the Ummbila wind farm site near Bethal in Mpumalanga, a journey of approximately 550km. This major milestone took place over an 8 month period and marks several important firsts for South Africa’s wind energy logistics.
Each turbine delivery consisted of 13 abnormal loads, 10 of which required traffic police escorts due to their dimensions. Among these components were 90 metre wind turbine blades, which are the longest ever transported in South Africa.
This project represents the first time that wind turbines have been discharged at the Port of Richards Bay and the first time such components have been transported within the provinces of KwaZulu-Natal and Mpumalanga. Establishing a viable transport route for these loads was a complex undertaking, involving significant route studies, investment and intensive collaboration with authorities at both provincial and district levels across 10 jurisdictions.
A key feature of the operation was the use of Vanguard’s specialist wind blade shunt trailers, which were deployed for vessel discharge activities for the first time on a wind farm project. These purpose-built trailers enabled the efficient and direct offloading of the blades from the vessel, reducing the need for double handling and streamlining operations within the busy port environment.
The successful delivery of the turbines was made possible by a team of over 50 highly experienced Vanguard personnel, including drivers, trailer operators, crane operators and a skilled rigging crew. Their expertise and coordination were instrumental in overcoming the logistical and regulatory challenges of this landmark project.
“This project demonstrates what is possible when technical innovation is combined with deep operational experience,” said Ryan Hosking, Director at Vanguard. “Transporting the largest wind blades in South Africa is a great achievement for the team and, to the best of our knowledge, the longest to be transported across the African continent. We are proud to have set new benchmarks for wind turbine logistics in South Africa, and to have played a part in advancing the country’s renewable energy capacity.”
Vanguard’s achievement reinforces its position as a trusted leader in complex logistics solutions and a key enabler of South Africa’s renewable energy infrastructure.
