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A heavy lift convoy has moved four auto transformers and two shunt reactors from Karachi Port to the Nokhar Grid Station in Lahore in April 2026, with manual unloading completed on site for a Chinese power client.
Under hook discharge at Karachi Port for six unit transformer consignment
Project logistics provider Star Shipping Pakistan received the transformer main bodies and reactors directly under hook at Karachi Port as conventional break bulk on super low bed trailers.
The shipment consisted of four auto transformer main bodies, each with a weight of 125 tons, and two shunt reactors, each with a weight of 70 tons.
The auto transformers measured about 31 feet in length, 14 feet in width and 13 feet in height while the shunt reactors measured about 9 feet in length, 10 feet in width and 13 feet in height.
All six units moved out from berth as direct delivery cargo, which reduced quay storage time and limited extra handling in the port area.
The route selection and sequencing of trailers aimed to minimize congestion in and around the port corridor during departure from Karachi.
Long distance move into Lahore despite work zones on National Highway N 5
From Karachi the convoy travelled inland to Lahore for delivery at the Nokhar Grid Station, a distance of more than one thousand kilometers along key national corridors.
The project team reported regular en route traffic pressure and local bottlenecks inside one of the busiest and most overcrowded cities in Pakistan.
Construction activity and closures on the N 5 National Highway created added tension around transit time and route safety for over dimension and heavy cargo.
Despite these restrictions, the transport planners kept the move within the agreed lead time for the Chinese grid operator.
Operational planning placed emphasis on safe passage through urban sections, bridge crossings and work zones while keeping within permitted travel windows for heavy convoys.
Manual unloading at grid station with rigging and skidding
At Nokhar Grid Station in Lahore, the transformers and reactors were not unloaded with a heavy crane but instead with a manual rigging and skidding set up.
The project used certified rigging tools including hydraulic jacks and chain equipment to lift and shift each unit from trailer to final foundation.
The heavy lift team positioned the transformer main bodies and reactors directly on prepared plinths inside the substation, in line with the design of the Chinese client.
The work sequence followed strict health safety and environment procedures that reflected client requirements at the grid station.
The provider reported that all six units reached final position without damage and with foundations accepted after inspection.
Growing demand for inland heavy power moves in Pakistan
According to the project owner, Pakistan continues to see demand for inland power equipment moves across urban, rugged and difficult terrain as new grid stations and substations come online.
The current consignment forms part of ongoing investment in transmission infrastructure that supports both domestic generation and imported power.
Direct coordination with shipowners for break bulk and project cargo allows the logistics provider to secure rates and sailing options that match inland delivery deadlines.
The company uses a fleet of trailers, cranes, vessels and warehousing locations across the country and abroad to cover different stages of project supply chains.
Regular upgrades to handling equipment and training for the heavy lift workforce aim to keep pace with rising technical complexity and higher safety expectations from international clients.
