September 16, 2008
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Duluth, Minn., U.S.A. – Caravans of specially-built trucks, accompanied by escort vehicles and state patrol cars have been heading out of the Port of Duluth most every morning since June, loaded with wind turbine components destined for wind energy farms across the Midwest. The pace of that movement is about to pick up as one wind energy leader, in particular, ramps up delivery schedules.

Not surprising, as the demand for wind energy has expanded so, too, has heavy truck traffic. Often those vehicles face road restrictions due to over-weight/over-dimensional (OW/OD) loads and must be rerouted along some circuitous routes to avoid bridges, tight turns, and road construction. As such, motorists along city streets and rural roadways have had to wait patiently while an increasing number of oversized vehicles pass by loaded with huge, white towers, blades, nacelles, hubs and spinners. Freight handlers indicate that those traffic patterns may intensify during the next month as final shipments of wind components head west and south before the snow flies.

Some of these units, the nacelles, weigh 180,000+ pounds. Top tower sections alone are over 100 feet long, with blades measuring up to 150 feet. Permits to haul the majority of OW/OD loads require at least one escort vehicle and a state trooper. For one manufacturer alone, Siemens, there have been four (4) permitted, escorted loads leaving Duluth almost daily this summer carrying nacelles and tower sections, plus an additional six “smaller” trucks loaded with hubs and spinners.  

Coordinating transportation logistics for this high volume of OW/OD loads has required a collaborative effort on the part of several key players: the Minnesota Department of Transportation Permit Office, the Minnesota State Patrol, Duluth Seaway Port Authority and its terminal manager, Lake Superior Warehousing Co., several specialized trucking companies, escorts, drivers, wind component manufacturers and freight forwarders. “The strategic partners confer regularly to determine the safest, most expedient routes to accomplish three goals:  to protect the motoring public, to move product most efficiently, and to protect the state’s infrastructure,” notes Ted Coulianos, Mn/DOT supervisor for transportation permits for the state highway system.

“Wind energy is definitely an economic boon to this area.” says Coulianos, “yet the sheer volume and variety of equipment poses transportation challenges. Components move through as many as five highway districts, each with different restrictions. Our office will continue to work closely with Mn/DOT personnel across the state, as well as with the Port, the State Patrol and several carriers to troubleshoot problems, standardize requirements and streamline the permitting process.”

“Lots of people see our product moving,” notes Kathy Brogan, Siemens Wind Transportation Manager. “We wanted to spread the word about our projected fall delivery schedule to ensure that motorists are aware of more caravans headed their way.” Early this spring, the first of six ships from Denmark discharged Siemens components in Duluth, but spring floods delayed delivery to Iowa and those units had to be stored on the waterfront. “We are midway through clearing the backlog, and will be doubling efforts with Anderson Trucking (ATS Specialized, Inc.) on Oct. 1 to increase to eight (8) permitted, escorted loads out of Duluth per day.” Brogan added that wind turbine blades for this project were manufactured at a Siemens plant in Fort Madison, Iowa, noting that Siemens Energy is the world’s leading supplier of products, services and solutions for the generation, transmission and distribution of power.

High/Wide, Heavy Loads Pose Challenges; Patience of Motorists Appreciated

During peak summer season, there have been as many as ten loads going out of Duluth on a single day – multiple carriers for a variety of manufacturers, reports local State Patrol Captain Steve Stromback, Commander, MN State Patrol District 2700. “Trucking companies contract with the state patrol for escorted transports, all of which are coordinated out of our Duluth office. “On OW/OD loads, the caravan is typically led by a pole car, followed by a squad car and the unit itself. An escort vehicle travels behind and works with the truck driver to negotiate turns. A truck with warning lights and ‘wide load’ signs follows behind to alert motorists.”

Often routes changed every two weeks last summer – some dictated by road construction, some by unit length and width. “There’s a significant difference in making corners with a 199-foot rig versus a 177-footer!” quipped Capt. Stromback. “Time of day is also key. We try to have carriers leave Duluth before 7 or after 9:30 a.m. to avoid rush hour here and in other metro areas. That’s where communication between trucking companies, the state patrol, and the rest of the players is vital.”

Ten remaining wind turbines for the Siemens/Iowa project are expected to arrive in Duluth on Sept. 16 (aboard the BBC Maine). The last set of components is scheduled to move out of Duluth in mid-October based on the revised shipping schedule. At final tally, Siemens will have moved 76 complete wind turbines through the Port of Duluth this year.

“Minnesota wants to be a model for the rest of the country on how to move this equipment,” concluded Major Kent O’Grady, who’s in charge of policy and risk management for the Minnesota State Patrol. “We’re excited that Minnesota is on the leading edge of this emerging technology – an industry that will move the U.S. toward energy independence. Selecting the Port of Duluth as a preferred port for wind components speaks highly to the Port’s ability to move cargo in a timely, professional manner. Our job is to find ways to expedite the movement of this material just as safely and efficiently. We need to continuously find ways to streamline policies and procedures to meet the needs of the wind industry. We must make sure the state is moving at the speed of business…not the other way around.”

The Port of Duluth-Superior has emerged as a key link in the wind energy supply chain worldwide, adds Jonathan Lamb, Vice President, Operations at Lake Superior Warehousing Co., terminal operator for the Duluth Seaway Port Authority. “When this shipping season closes, we will have moved approximately 2000 wind turbine components through the port this year for a number of premier energy companies. From a dimensional and weight standpoint, Siemens manufactures the largest wind turbines that the Port of Duluth has handled. They are a tremendous customer, and we look forward to serving them for years to come.  We are also grateful to be collaborating with this team of transportation specialists across the state.”

Wind energy is a tremendous growth industry globally – growing 25-30% each year.  According to Adolph Ojard, Executive Director of the Duluth Seaway Port Authority, “The expertise of Lake Superior Warehousing and this wind transport team ensures that Duluth is recognized worldwide as a wind turbine transshipment hub. Working collaboratively, we contribute to a cleaner, greener world.”   

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For more information, contact: 

Adele Yorde, PR Manager, Duluth Seaway Port Authority, 218-727-8525
Ted Coulianos, Mn/DOT Supervisor for Transportation Permits, 651-355-0250
Kathy Brogan, Manager, Transportation Wind Americas, Siemens Power Generation, 407-736-5339
Capt. Steve Stromback, Commander, MN State Patrol District 2700, 218-723-4889
Major Kent O’Grady, Policy & Risk Management, Minnesota State Patrol, 651-201-7138
Jonathan Lamb, Vice President, Operations, Lake Superior Warehousing Co., 218-727-6646, x251

Duluth Seaway Port Authority
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