For some shippers, transporting wind components via rail makes more sense than over the road. Although there may be fewer restrictions and planning concerns involved with rail moves, they still demand extensive preparation.

Experience helps facilitate the planning process. Ocean Blue Express have been providing rail transportation and logistics services to the wind power industry since 2007.

“Oversized loads require developing dimensional transportation solutions. “We consider where the components have adequate bridge and tunnel clearance, and whether distribution centers can handle the trains and the volume. A multitude of considerations go into making a wind power component project successful.”

The rise in domestic manufacturing sites has been key to making wind farm logistics work more efficiently. “This approach allows shippers to minimize truck usage, as well as turn trucks faster.”

“Transporting components 50 to 200 miles by truck instead of thousands of miles simplifies wind farm development,” says Graham. “It helps project planners ensure the right components arrive at the right time.”