Sea and Land Heavy Transport & Installation
of Transformers in Maldives

Abbreviations:
STELCO – State Electric Company of Maldives.
DEC – Dongfang Electric International Corporation (China)
TTS – Total Transport Solutions (Maldives)
ADVP – Advantis Projects (Sri Lanka)
COSCO – COSCO Shipping Lanka (Sri Lanka) and Shanghai Nanhua Int’l Logistics Co., Ltd (China)
CCCC – China Communications Construction Corporation (China)

In 2018, STELCO initiated a mega project to construct and interconnect three substations in Hulhumale, Hulhule Airport and Male islands (three separate islands); the largest project in Maldives in the Power & Energy Sector. DEC, was appointed as the main contractor.

From 2018 to 2020, TTS and ADVP, prepared a detailed engineering and logistics (combination of sea and land) plan for the delivery of the six (6) heavy 95MVA transformers and accessories. COSCO was appointed as the project’s official logistics, through a rigorous competitive bidding process, with the support of both companies.

With the world-wide outbreak of COVID-19, the project execution was delayed. However, by June 2020, Maldives was facing the alarming possibility of blackouts without the new substations. Understanding the urgency, DEC & COSCO made extraordinary arrangements to ship the cargo under short notice, in July 2020 from Shanghai, China. At the same time ADVP mobilized special equipment and skilled professionals from Sri Lanka.

In August 2020, the Heavy-lift vessel arrived in Maldivian waters with 9,362 Tons of cargo. The day prior to commencement of discharging, CCCC (who was tasked with inter-island marine transport and pier handling using crawler cranes) backed out, jeopardizing the entire execution plan.

With nowhere to turn to, COSCO urged TTS and ADVP to propose an alternate solution. Which was prepared, submitted and approved within a span of 08 hours. A feat thought to be impossible!

The teams completed all deliveries to the three project sites, successfully; on-time, on-budget and incident-free.
All Stakeholders were mesmerized by the precision execution and commitment shown by the team, and admired them for going beyond the call of duty.

This is the first-ever project that was conducted by only Hayleys Advantis staff and equipment in an overseas country. Earning Rs. 223Mn+ revenue from a single project. Advantis Project was also the first-ever project logistics company in Sri Lanka to conduct a project overseas with its own staff and equipment.