Feature, Freight News, Logistics, Sea


Reaching the power station sites that other carriers cannot

[ October 15, 2026   //   ]

Staffordshire-based Robert Wynn and Sons has completed three complex marine deliveries to SSE’s new Tarbert Next Generation Power Station in County Kerry, Ireland.

Working on behalf of NX Group (Nippon Express), the company’s heavy lift ro ro vessel Terra Marique transported three 300-tonne-plus loads direct to the remote site, two carried in consecutive voyages from Foynes and the final load a 306-tonne transformer loaded in Antwerp and delivered directly.

The project took over 12 months of planning as the size and weight of the components meant that transportation by road from the Port of Foynes was not viable.

Robert Wynn and Sons’ engineers found an area of beach only useable on specific low tides, providing direct access to the power station site.

A detailed programme of survey and investigation work followed including bathymetric and topographical surveys and geotechnical investigations to assess the ground-bearing capability of the offloading area. Ground penetrating radar surveys were also carried out to ensure there were no rocky outcrops concealed beneath the mud and silt which would present a risk to Terra Marique’s hull.

The survey work identified that Terra Marique would need to remain more than 23 metres from the shore so NX Group sourced specialist 25-metre ramps specifically engineered to interface with the vessel and support the load.

A further challenge was the absence of conventional mooring points so the Terra Marique had to be precisely positioned within a one-metre tolerance in both the longitudinal and transverse directions while afloat in the tide.

As the tide receded, Terra Marique carefully took the ground, ensuring accurate alignment with the bespoke 25-metre ramp ahead of the successful discharge.

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