Glensanda Quarry delivers record cargo
‘Yeoman Bridge’ carries 93,665 tonnes of granite to Rotterdam for major new port extension
YEOMAN Glensanda, part of Aggregate Industries UK, transported a record cargo of 93,665 tonnes in June 2011 aboard their vessel ‘Yeoman Bridge’.
Headed for Rotterdam, the substantial cargo was one of a number being supplied to a major new port extension in Maasvlakte – a project which is set to nearly double the port’s size by reclaiming almost 2,000ha of the North Sea behind a 4km dyke. New port infrastructure including road and rail links, and a recreational beach are also part of the plans.
The cargo was loaded by Glensanda personnel working around the clock in just under 24h at an average rate of 5,000 tonnes/h.
Since the vessel’s first load in June 2000, ‘Yeoman Bridge’ has carried over 31 million tonnes from Glensanda to ports across Europe. In total, Glensanda has shipped almost 120 million tonnes since the quarry’s first cargo was loaded for Houston, Texas, in 1986.
The largest granite quarry in Europe, Glensanda is one of very few operations with the capability and expertise to support such a major construction project. The site has previously supplied materials to major transport developments such as the M74 and M8 motorways, as well as new hospitals in Glasgow and other large projects further afield.
