Submarine with 30-axles

Frieder Saam is an experienced professional for heavy-duty transport. But even for him and his MAN TGX 41,680 8X6, a 350-tonne submarine is something very special. Together they did it.

Many people gathered along the entire route of the heavy-duty transport, as at a roundabout in Neckarmühlbach, Baden, Germany. Even camera teams were there. The reason: a 350-tonne submarine moving through the quiet town by heavy-duty transport. One highlight followed the next. On Saturday night, the Kraichgau region of Germany experienced an absolute world premier: a submarine travelled along one of its motorways! The U17 submarine continued its journey on the A6, even driving the wrong way along a section of the motorway. Over the final few kilometres, the submarine needed to be turned on its side in the town of Ittlingen and put upright again after crossing the railway line. Many visitors have been enthusiastically following the journey of U17 with its final anchoring planned for the 28 July at around 2 p.m on the premises of the Technik Museum in Sinsheim.

The almost 50-metre-long steel colossus was mounted on a platform trailer with 30 axles, and towed by a MAN TGX 41.680 8X6. Frieder Saam was at the wheel. Trucker’s World is well acquainted with the heavy-duty transport driver. We have previously reported on how Frieder transported the MS Utting passenger ship and a boat from the Kelly Family.

His cargo this time: the U17 submarine. It has been out of service from the German Navy since 2010 and is to become an exhibit in Sinsheim. The transport weighs a total of around 500 tonnes, is 90 metres long and 10 metres high.

“It’s one more highlight in my driving career,”

says Frieder. “The overall truck and trailer dimensions are gigantic.” Even for a professional like him, this job required a lot of upfront organisation. It took a whole 5.5 years before everything was checked and the best route found: “I’ve travelled the route countless times to ensure that we can really get past everything. Bridges needed to be checked. When necessary, we have to go around them. And sometimes it feels as if there is only hand’s width of space.” Many permits and applications also needed to be submitted. “How long this all takes should not be underestimated,” explains Frieder. “You need to keep everything in view to ensure that it all comes together in the end.”

Heavy-duty transports usually pull the crowds. Despite the crowds, Frieder needed to keep a cool head. He organised the transport and was able to rely on his MAN TGX all the technology being used.

“I know my truck inside and out. I know exactly how it works and responds I’ve already transported a lot with it.”

A month-long journey

The Kübler haulage company’s team started the heavy-duty transport on 30 June. Part of the route was on the Rhine. This required the U17 to be loaded onto a river barge. The last section has been by road, with Sinsheim as the destination, scheduled to be reached on 28 July. Kübler is responsible for the entire route.

In addition to the sheer mass of the U17, its dimensions make transporting it a challenge. The submarine needed to be repeatedly rotated by 73 degrees – otherwise the truck with its cargo would not have been able to travel over railway crossings or under bridges. This was made possible by rotation equipment that had been specially manufactured for this U17’s final journey. Such individualised solutions are nothing new to Kübler. The company from Michelfeld-Erlin is a global logistics service provider in the heavy goods sector and is therefore very familiar with all kinds of challenges.

Highly experienced trucker

In addition to powerful low loaders and trucks, one thing is essential for such tasks: a truck driver with a lot of professional experience and a particularly good ability to concentrate. Someone like Frieder. He has gained experience all over the world, for example transporting a Concorde for the Technik Museum.

Frieder has been planning and implementing the U17 transport for five and a half years. “My boss is extremely confident in me and my abilities, something I’m immensely proud about.”

Image credits: Technik Museum Sinsheim, Museumsplatz, D-74889 Sinsheim, Germany