A new era in the Balkans

Like lined up on a string, wind turbine blades are lying in the port of Ploče. The Croatian port has developed into an important transshipment hub for wind energy components in the Balkans. Renewable energy expansion is also progressing rapidly in Southeastern Europe. Right in the middle of this development: the company Zagrebtrans with its three FlexMAX 2+4 self-steering combinations equipped with blade adapters. These are the first of their kind in the Balkans.

The dimensions of the stored rotor blades are impressive: each blade measures 81.5 meters in length and weighs 26 tons. Safely secured in steel transport frames, the sensitive components are lifted by crane and precisely loaded onto the waiting transport combinations. At the start, the weather shows its rough side. Large rain puddles collect on the uneven port ground. However, patience is required anyway, as the convoy is scheduled to depart only after nightfall.

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Precision work begins at night

The route leads from the port of Ploče to the wind farm near Tomislavgrad in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Around 140 kilometers through one of the windiest regions of Herzegovina. Accordingly, numerous energy projects are concentrated here, many already in operation, others still under construction or in planning.

The most demanding sections begin after leaving the motorway, in the direction of the Čaporice junction and along the route towards Trilj. „The long combinations must be guided through tight curves with great precision. The remote steering of a self-steering axle system is extremely helpful here. These sections, in particular, are the ones you remember“, explains Frano Šarić, Director of Operations & Engineering at Zagrebtrans.

Only self-steering systems with blade adapters provide the necessary maneuverability for rotor blades of this size. „At the same time, the FlexMAX configuration reduces blade overhang, allowing obstacles along the route to be safely bypassed and roundabouts to be negotiated without damaging infrastructure. The strong hydraulic stroke is also beneficial wherever obstacles, crests, or roundabouts require additional ground clearance“, adds Frano Šarić.

Maneuverability as the key to success

After crossing the border into Bosnia and Herzegovina, the route remains challenging. Slightly hilly terrain, narrow curves, and demanding passages require maximum concentration from the drivers. For those passing landscapes and waterways, there is often only a brief glance, as further tricky sections await on the way to the wind farm – including a final 90-degree access turn directly to the unloading point.

„The ease of handling and especially the after-sales support convinced us. Having a Faymonville engineer on site already during the first rotor blade loading – that is true partnership“, concludes Frano Šarić on this new experience.