32
Mechanical Technology — September 2013
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Modern transport and vehicle solutions
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T
he Hatch Goba logistics team
focuses on getting material and
equipment to site timeously
and efficiently, to support the
project construction process. Hatch
Goba global practice director, Francois
du Toit, says the company’s logistics
team places “a high priority on inter-
national best practices and incorporat-
ing and sharing innovative solutions
in support of delivering to remote and
challenging locations”.
He identifies this as a main differ-
entiator between Hatch Goba and its
competitors. “Our logistics capabilities
and expertise have become well estab-
lished on an international level, and we
endeavour to focus on consistency, in-
novation, continuous development and
improvement of the logistics discipline.”
Du Toit points out that the Hatch
Goba logistics team aims to get involved
in projects as early as the pre-feasibility
stage. “This is a very important aspect
of logistics management in order to
define the parameters of the project.
If any complications arise in the early
stages, we can deal with aspects such
as transportable envelope restrictions,
customs regulations, duty exemption
negotiations, multimodal route identifi-
cation and infrastructure challenges at
an early stage, thereby mitigating and/
or eliminating the risk of any further
complications within the lifecycle of the
project,” he continues.
Early planning is especially impor-
tant for remotely
located projects,
notes Du Toit. “In
many cases, this
could be the dif-
ference between
making or break-
ing the project.
Global pressure within the mining,
metals, power, oil and gas, energy and
infrastructure development industries
creates a great need for successful
logistics implementation. Damaged
or late materials and equipment can
have a negative effect on a project’s
schedule and the client’s bottom line.
It is crucial for the client to have project
logistics management support as part
of the project team, to ensure that the
benefits envisaged by global sourcing
are realised and both project cost and
schedule are achieved.”
Key factors to consider in the light of
developing global suppliers are:
• Global sourcing can lower costs
without compromising quality and
schedule.
• Consolidation and optimisation of
the supply chain reduces costs.
• Proper materials management
provides visibility and supports the
construction schedule.
• Remote sites require unique logistics
solutions.
• Modularisation and pre-assembly
design reduces the complexity of
work on site.
First Pontoon barge arriving at Tamatave.
Francois du Toit.
Pontoon barge mooring.
Hatch Goba provides logistics management
Consulting engineering and project implementation firm Hatch Goba boasts
a 40-strong team of highly qualified logistics experts who are involved in a
number of high profile projects across the globe.
Du Toit adds that the Hatch Goba logis-
tics team spends a considerable amount
of time developing an Integrated ‘logis-
tics execution plan’ in order to ensure
that an optimal solution is developed
for any project.
“This provides a clear understand-
ing to all parties concerned regarding
logistical constraints on a project, as
well as a clearly defined strategy and
plan to deliver the materials and equip-
ment from supplier to site. In this regard
and throughout the development of the
logistics execution plan, it is critical to
explore all options and solutions avail-
able to a project, with a particular em-
phasis on innovative, cost effective and
practical solutions. It is also important
to maintain a balance between theoreti-
cal, practical and sustainable aspects of
each project, and to think outside of the
box, so that solutions are tailor made
for each individual project. At the same
time, past experience must play a major
role in order to develop and execute the
optimal plan.”
According to Du Toit, there is a
global drive within Hatch Goba to de-
velop differentiating solutions, towards
which modularisation offers significant
benefits. “Hatch Goba provides a ‘hands
on’ approach to modularisation, which
has been well-received by clients. Off-
site modularisation and/or pre-assembly
construction offers a solution to many
projects which experience delays due
to development of site access routes,
pending Environmental Impact Assess-
ments and/or local community related
matters. It is critical, however, for any
modular design to consider the logistical
