TRIESTE – A road viaduct built in Italy has crossed Europe by sea, departing from the Port of Monfalcone and reaching Ireland after almost two weeks at sea. The structure, destined for the Adare Bypass infrastructure project, was transported in modules and classified as project cargo due to its size and logistical complexity.
The bridge, designed and built by Cimolai, consists of three spans with a deck measuring a total of 212 metres in length and around 30 metres in width. To enable maritime transport, the structure was divided into 54 main girders and other smaller components, for a total of 197 pieces.
The cargo, with a total weight of 2,643 tonnes and a volume exceeding 6,800 cubic metres, was loaded at Portorosega onto the heavy-lift vessel BBC BERGEN operated by Briese Schiffahrt. Loading operations were carried out using port cranes and required careful planning for the handling and stowage of the structural elements onboard.
The shipment was handled by the long-established Bassani Group (Venice). The group, made up of 12 companies, operates in port services and maritime transport, incoming services, travel and business travel, event organisation, transfers, reception and hospitality. The voyage to Ireland took around 13 days, reaching the port of Foynes. From there, the bridge modules were transferred overland to the Adare site, where the structure will be reassembled and subsequently installed.
«This operation is further confirmation of Bassani’s ability to handle and manage complex logistics projects at international level. Shipping a structure of this size requires proven expertise, meticulous planning and deep sector knowledge—qualities that have always distinguished our group. I would like to thank the Cimolai Group,” commented Filippo Olivetti, Executive Chairman of the Bassani Group, “for placing its trust in us; it is an honour for us to support an excellence recognised worldwide».
