Rosneft Carries Out Unique Transport Operation as Part of Achinsk Refinery Upgrade Project

As part of the Achinsk Refinery modernization, Rosneft is carrying out a unique operation to transport hydrocracking units to the refinery’s site.

In terms of complexity, this operation will be the world record in the longest-distance transportation of the most oversized cargo. The record applications have been sent to the Guinness Book of Records and Russia’s Book of Records.

As part of the project, the equipment consisting of four reactor units with a total weight of more than 2,500 tonnes is to be transported over a distance of about 12,000 kilometers. The units were transported by two barges from the port of Mantova (Italy) along the Northern Sea Route to the port of Dudinka (Russia), and then down the Yenisei to a specially created temporary berth in the town of Kubekovo. Subsequently, the equipment will be delivered to the Achinsk Refinery by super-heavy trucks. The largest reactor unit (weighing about 1,300 tonnes) will be transported with the help of a 36-meter transport module. Due to the module’s unique design with 24 dual axles, i.e. a total of 384 wheels, the vehicle features maximum stability and optimal load distribution.

The operation is carried out jointly with the traffic police of the Krasnoyarsk Region, the Motor Road Administration of the Krasnoyarsk Region and the Baikal Motor Road Administration. For safety reasons, the transportation of the units to the Achinsk Refinery will be carried out at night.

The route crosses 14 rivers and streams, as well as two rail tracks. Special temporary reinforced bridges and detour roads will be built to secure river crossings.

Rosneft Information Division
August 28, 2013