Prism Logistics Executes Mammoth Move in India

Prism Logistics had to face down a series of significant challenges during the delivery of heavy site machinery to the Barmer oil refinery construction project in Pachpadra in India’s western Rajasthan state.

The “ground-breaking” multimodal move for India-based conglomerate Larsen & Toubro (L&T) called for the transport of 34 oversized components weighing up to 743 tons a piece and measuring 55 meters in length.

“Thousands of workers” were involved in the various stages of the project, Prism said.

The company’s project team worked simultaneously to manage loadout operations in the ports of Dahej and Hazira in Gujarat state, and Mangalore in Karnataka. A series of back-to-back moves using self-propelled barges and other specialized vessels were then carried out to transport components to Mundra, also in Gujarat, where the company had built a dedicated jetty to discharge the cargo.

Challenges at this stage of the project included strong currents and a tight deadline to complete roll-on, roll-off (RoRo) operations, the company said.

The project team faced more hurdles on the 600-kilometer overland stretch from Mundra to Pachpadra. Successfully navigating the narrow and single-lane roads and multiple level crossings in Gujarat required careful negotiation with Indian Railways to obtain the necessary permissions and route closures.

High-tension wires and other roadside fixtures along the route also called for “meticulous planning and coordination” with local authorities for the safe shutdown of power, removal of obstacles, and the construction of more than 40 bypasses to accommodate the heavy cargo.

The company faced its most formidable challenge when crossing the Narmada River Canal, a contour canal that supplies water from the Sardar Sarovar Dam to western Gujarat state and then into Rajasthan.

To traverse the waterway, a no objection certificate (NOC) had to be acquired from Rajasthan authorities to halt water flow for 15 days, a task that necessitated “political negotiations” between Rajasthan and Gujarat. To ensure a secure route for the cargo, two modular bridges were then installed on the canal using some 600 tons of steel.

“The transportation project not only marked a historic achievement in the Indian logistics sector but also generated significant employment opportunities,” said a spokesperson for the company. “Overcoming challenges such as political considerations, geographical hurdles, and the massive scale of the cargo, the project paved the way for future logistics endeavors and solidified the company’s position as a pioneer in the industry.”

Prism Logistics, one of India’s largest project logistics companies, specializes in multimodal transportation, ocean forwarding, load outs, third-country logistics, port handling, long-haul transportation, plant shifting, and warehousing. The asset-rich company owns a fleet of SPMTs, hydraulic axles, barges, pullers, and specialized trailers.


Prism Logistics is a regular exhibitor at Breakbulk Middle East.
L&T is a member of the Breakbulk Global Shipper Network.