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Three records at once: a 23,163-ton ship was moved on 880 axle lines, 3,520 wheels, and also transferred to three barges with 26,900 tons on wheels.

Published on 03/06/2026 at 18:35
Updated on 03/06/2026 at 18:36
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Fagioli’s Operation in Texas Transported the 23,163-ton Charybdis WTIV to Three Barges, Using 880 SPMT Axle Lines, 28 PPUs, and Claiming Three World Records in Offshore Heavy Cargo Logistics

The Charybdis WTIV, an offshore wind turbine installation vessel commissioned by Dominion Energy, was transported in Texas weighing 23,163 tons, leading Fagioli to claim three world records in an operation with 880 SPMT axle lines and 28 power units.

Ship transport breaks three records
Image: Reproduction

Charybdis WTIV Moved 23,163 Tons on Wheels

The American division of Fagioli, an Italian heavy cargo logistics company, claims three world records during the transport of the Charybdis WTIV, a vessel built at the Seatrium AmFELS shipyard in Texas.

The operation took the ship from the shipyard to three barges, from where it was subsequently launched into the sea. According to Scheuerle, it was the heaviest weight ever transported on land on wheels.

To execute the move, Fagioli used 880 SPMT axle lines from Scheuerle, powered by 28 power units, known as PPUs.

The configuration is also cited as a world record for the largest number of axle lines under a single load.

Ship transport breaks three records
Image: Reproduction / Youtube

Operation Also Set Record with Three Barges in Parallel

Upon reaching the riverbank, the Charybdis WTIV was transferred to three barges positioned in parallel, still supported by the Scheuerle 880 SPMT axles.

With a total weight of 26,900 tons, the operation marked another claimed record: the heaviest load transported on wheels onto a barge for ship loading. After this stage, the WTIV was launched into the water.

The sequence shows the scale of the movement: first, the land transport of 23,163 tons; then, the transfer on wheels to three barges, with 26,900 tons involved in the set.

Ship transport breaks three records
Image: Reproduction / Youtube

Vessel was commissioned by Dominion Energy

The ship was commissioned by the American energy company Dominion Energy and built at the Seatrium AmFELS shipyard. According to Scheuerle, the vessel is the first of its kind to meet the requirements of the Jones Act.

The regulation requires that transportation between American ports be carried out by vessels built in the United States and owned by American citizens with appropriate licenses. The rule also applies to the transportation of people and goods to offshore wind farms.

Ship transport breaks three records
Image: Reproduction

Scheuerle highlights the performance of SPMTs in heavy load

Filippo Baldassari, General Manager of the TII Group, stated that the record proves the operational performance of the SPMTs and the innovation capacity of the clients.

He said that TII Scheuerle is proud that its products have enabled the achievement in the heavy load sector.

The company also highlighted that the result demonstrates the performance of the equipment and the determination of the clients in this type of operation.

This article was prepared based on information from Fagioli and Scheuerle, with data, numbers, and statements preserved as per the consulted material.

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Romário Pereira de Carvalho

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