Osprey to deliver for Hinkley Point C

For 25 years independent British company Osprey has been delivering and installing some of the world’s heaviest and largest abnormal loads

In the UK Osprey Group has won a multi-million-pound contract to deliver all the oversized equipment for the Hinkley Point C (HPC) project.

Osprey’s contract for the next phase of the project is to deliver “all major critical assets” to the nuclear power station construction site in the South West of the UK. It will involve both marine and heavy land transport to provide centralised logistics and management. The company won the job through an international tender process.

As a locally-based firm Osprey said it is well placed to use its in-house resources for the special logistics support now needed at HPC. Work will include delivering unique components weighing more than 750 tonnes. These include steam generators, turbines and nuclear reactors. Schedules are tight so careful planning, timing and great logistical skill will be needed.

The one-off pieces of equipment manufactured around the world will be delivered by water via a dedicated muster port at Avonmouth, Osprey said. Deliveries to site will then be made to suit a predefined construction schedule. Each consignment will be received directly from a delivery vessel before onward movement to the HPC terminal, reducing road travel, disruption, and engine exhaust emissions, the company said.

John O’Connor, Osprey commercial director, said, “This is a brand new, specialist logistics model for receiving critical equipment. All in all, over £1 billion of essential, critical assets will move through this operation over the coming years.”

Nigel Cann, HPC delivery director, said, “It’s fantastic to see a local company step up to the challenge of delivering this volume of critical components for our project. Osprey has already proved to us that they have the capability and expertise to deliver to the high standards of safety, quality and efficiency required for such a complex construction job. We set out to ensure that businesses in the region would benefit from HPC and this is the latest example of us delivering on that commitment.”

John O’Connor continued, “We’re exceptionally proud to partner with EDF to deliver strategic logistics for the project. Normally, critical assets are called forward by the construction director, and multiple contractors complete the delivery. It’s an enormous task to perform this to the tightest of schedules, with so many contractors and interlocking phases of construction. You need a detailed plan and the right specialist heavy logistics resources – all applied intelligently with a best for project, one team mindset. HPC is an inspiring project driven by exceptional people. Our job is to provide safe, flexible and reliable service every time. It’s an exciting time for Osprey and we look forward to supporting EDF and all Tier 1 contract partners in delivering success together.”

Osprey’s equipment fleet includes heavy lift cranes, more than 120 lines of SPMT, hydraulic lifts, skids and carousels, plus ocean-going and inland barges