KIET Supports Zhoushan Cross-Sea Pipe Corridor Project with Intelligent Heavy Load Skidding Solution

Project Overview

Operating in a complex tidal-flat area, KIET's skidding system provided a reliable solution where conventional cranes were impractical.

In a major cross-sea pipe corridor project in Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province, a leading heavy lifting and oversized equipment transport service provider was faced with one of the most demanding installation challenges in the region: moving and positioning ultra-large steel structure modules in a complex offshore construction environment.

Each steel module measured approximately 38 meters long, 12 meters wide, and 8 meters high, with a single-unit weight of up to 392 tons. The installation site was located in a coastal tidal-flat area, where soft ground conditions, restricted crane access, and marine construction constraints made conventional lifting and transportation methods impractical.

To support this critical infrastructure project, KIET engineered and supplied 16 units of PLC Intelligent Hydraulic Heavy Load Skidding Trolleys, creating a reliable and highly synchronized solution for lifting, skidding, and final positioning of the oversized modules.

This heavy load skidding project demonstrated KIET's capability to solve complex engineering challenges under extreme site conditions, providing a safer, faster, and more controllable alternative to traditional heavy lifting methods.

Customer Challenge

The dedicated bridge track system was essential for navigating the challenging soft ground and tidal-flat conditions of the offshore construction site.

The customer specializes in large-scale and ultra-heavy equipment lifting and transportation services. For this Zhoushan cross-sea pipe corridor project, the core challenge was not only the weight of the modules, but also the combination of offshore construction conditions, limited equipment access, and strict installation accuracy requirements.

The steel modules had to be moved from the temporary assembly area to the final installation position across a specially arranged bridge track system. During the process, the modules needed to remain structurally stable, evenly supported, and precisely controlled.

Key project challenges included:

• Ultra-large module dimensions: 38m × 12m × 8m
• Heavy single-module weight: up to 392 tons
• Soft tidal-flat construction environment with limited bearing capacity
• Restricted access for large cranes and floating cranes
• High requirements for synchronous lifting and load distribution
• Risk of module deformation during uneven movement
• Demand for shorter construction cycles and reduced site risk

The customer required a large module installation solution that could provide synchronized lifting, stable horizontal skidding, precise positioning, and strong safety assurance throughout the entire operation.

Why Conventional Methods Failed

In many heavy equipment transport projects, large cranes, crawler cranes, or floating cranes are typically considered first. However, in this offshore module skidding project, conventional methods presented serious limitations.

First, the soft tidal-flat ground conditions made it difficult for large cranes to operate close to the final installation area. Reinforcing the entire working area for crane access would have required significant time, cost, and civil preparation.

Second, floating cranes could not directly place the steel modules into their final position due to tidal influence, positioning limitations, and the distance between the marine lifting area and the installation point.

Third, conventional multi-point jacking and manual skidding methods carried high synchronization risks. For a 392-ton steel structure of this size, even a small height difference between support points could cause uneven stress distribution, structural deformation, or operational instability.

Traditional methods also presented several disadvantages:

• Long installation cycles, often requiring around two days per module
• High dependence on manual coordination
• Difficult load balance control across multiple support points
• Increased safety risks during lifting and horizontal movement
• Higher overall project cost due to equipment mobilization and site preparation

For this reason, the project required a more intelligent, integrated, and controllable hydraulic skidding system project solution.

Why KIET Was Chosen

KIET's engineering-first approach involved close collaboration with the customer, from design review to on-site operational planning.

KIET was selected because of its proven engineering capability in heavy load handling, hydraulic synchronization, and customized transport solutions for complex industrial applications.

Instead of offering a standard product-only approach, KIET worked with the customer to analyze site conditions, module geometry, load distribution, support points, track layout, travel speed, lifting stroke, and safety redundancy. This engineering-first approach allowed KIET to develop a solution aligned with the actual demands of the project environment.

The customer chose KIET for several key reasons:

• Strong experience in hydraulic heavy load skidding technology
• Ability to provide PLC-based closed-loop synchronous control
• Customized system configuration for oversized steel modules
• High safety factor verification exceeding 1.5 times the actual load
• Integrated lifting and skidding capability in one coordinated system
• Reliable technical support from design review to on-site operation

For a project with no mature domestic precedent in similar offshore heavy-load dual-function skidding operations, the customer needed more than equipment. They needed an engineering partner capable of reducing uncertainty and turning a high-risk installation challenge into a controlled, repeatable process.

KIET Engineering Solution

The PLC control interface provides real-time monitoring of pressure and displacement for each of the 16 skidding trolleys, ensuring synchronized movement.

KIET supplied 16 units of PLC Intelligent Hydraulic Heavy Load Skidding Trolleys, designed to perform both synchronized lifting and horizontal skidding operations.

The system was engineered around four critical requirements: synchronization, stability, speed, and safety.

Through PLC closed-loop synchronous control, the system monitored and adjusted the lifting and movement of each trolley in real time. This helped ensure that all support points remained coordinated during lifting and skidding, reducing the risk of load imbalance.

The solution achieved millimeter-level lifting consistency, which was essential for preventing stress concentration and structural deformation in the oversized steel modules.

For horizontal movement, the system enabled high-speed skidding at up to 3 meters per minute, significantly improving installation efficiency compared with traditional methods.

Safety was built into the solution from the engineering stage. KIET verified the system with a safety factor of more than 1.5 times the actual load, ensuring that the equipment could operate reliably under demanding heavy-duty conditions.

A powerful and reliable hydraulic power pack provided the necessary force for the synchronized lifting and skidding operations.

Core technical features included:

• 16 intelligent hydraulic skidding trolleys
• PLC closed-loop synchronous control system
• Millimeter-level lifting accuracy
• Integrated lifting and skidding function
• High-speed skidding capability of 3m/min
• Load safety verification above 1.5× actual operating load
• Stable multi-point support for large steel modules

This made the project an important synchronous lifting case study and a strong demonstration of KIET's capability in intelligent heavy-load movement.

Implementation Process

The hydraulic skidding trolleys are precisely positioned on the track system, providing stable support for the oversized steel module.

The operation followed a carefully planned sequence to ensure safety, control, and efficiency at every stage.

1. Bridge Track Arrangement
   Before the movement began, a dedicated bridge track system was arranged between the module assembly area and the final installation location. The track provided a controlled route across the challenging construction environment and created the foundation for stable skidding.
2. Equipment Positioning and Load Preparation
   KIET's hydraulic skidding trolleys were positioned according to the module's load distribution and support requirements. Each trolley was aligned to ensure balanced contact and coordinated movement.
3. Synchronous Lifting
   Using the PLC control system, all 16 trolleys lifted the module in a synchronized manner. The system maintained millimeter-level consistency between lifting points, helping prevent twisting, tilting, or uneven stress.
4. Precise Hydraulic Skidding
   Once lifted and stabilized, the module was skidded along the bridge track toward the final installation position. The intelligent hydraulic system maintained stable movement at controlled speed, with real-time synchronization across all equipment units.
5. Safe Positioning and Final Adjustment
   At the final location, the module was accurately positioned and lowered in a controlled manner. The synchronized control system enabled precise adjustment, ensuring that the module reached the required installation position safely.

This process transformed a complex offshore heavy load movement into a highly controlled engineering operation.

Final Results

KIET's intelligent hydraulic skidding solution delivered measurable improvements in project efficiency, safety, and operational reliability.

Key results included:

• Successful skidding and positioning of 392-ton steel modules
• Stable handling of modules measuring 38m × 12m × 8m
• Single-module skidding time reduced to within half a day
• Approximately 75% improvement in operational efficiency
• Lower safety risk compared with conventional lifting methods
• Reduced dependence on large cranes and floating cranes
• Reliable synchronous lifting and movement under offshore site conditions

The project became a benchmark hydraulic skidding system project for large steel module installation in complex coastal environments.

Strategic Significance

This project was more than a successful equipment application. It represented a meaningful advancement in China's offshore heavy-load skidding engineering capability.

By delivering a reliable dual-function lifting and skidding solution for a cross-sea pipe corridor project, KIET helped fill a domestic technical gap in offshore heavy-load synchronized skidding operations.

For project owners, EPC contractors, heavy transport companies, and industrial construction decision-makers, this case demonstrates that KIET can support high-value infrastructure projects where conventional methods are limited by site conditions, safety requirements, or installation complexity.

The project also reinforces KIET's position as a trusted engineering partner for:

• Offshore module skidding projects
• Large steel structure installation
• Heavy load skidding projects
• Synchronous lifting case studies
• Heavy equipment transport projects
• Customized hydraulic skidding system projects

In demanding industrial environments, the ability to combine mechanical strength, hydraulic precision, and intelligent control is critical. This project proved that KIET can deliver that capability at real project scale.

Customer Recognition

Project team members from KIET and partners commemorate a key milestone in front of the 392-ton steel module.

The customer recognized KIET's solution for its engineering reliability, operational efficiency, and ability to address a challenge that traditional methods could not solve effectively.

The successful execution strengthened the customer's confidence in KIET's technical capability, especially in customized heavy-load transport systems requiring precise synchronization and high safety margins.

For the customer, KIET's solution provided not only equipment, but also a practical path to safer construction, shorter schedules, and more predictable project delivery.

This recognition reflects what matters most in major industrial projects: proven performance under real site pressure.