Photo reportage
Travelling with a coil
30 Jun 2020
From the salt marshes of the inland sea Étang-de-Berre to the rolling hills around the ITER site (with a view of some of the highest alpine summits) an ITER convoy travels the whole range of Provencal landscapes.
It is a little after 2:00 a.m. on the ITER site and for PF #6, it is the end of the 10,000-kilometre journey from its manufacturing site in Hefei, China.
As it progresses along the 104-kilometre ITER Itinerary, an ITER convoy adds a new dimension to these glorious vistas—the harsh beauty of a unique machine transporting a unique load.
Last week, Newsline travelled with the ITER convoy delivering poloidal field coil #6, capturing some of the most spectacular moments of the four-night journey.
Whether in person or remotely, representatives of Europe and China joined ITER staff and Director-General Bernard Bigot in a celebration shortly after the component's arrival.
Procured by Europe and manufactured in China, the ring-shaped magnet coil will be the first to be integrated into the ITER machine. The massive component arrived on site on Friday 26 June after a 10,000-kilometre voyage from its manufacturing site in Hefei, China.
See a video of the last leg of the voyage here.
Passing the border posts
Spanning a narrow gully on the Durance River, the bridge of Mirabeau, ten kilometres from the ITER site, is the symbolic border post between Alpine and Mediterranean Provence. The convoy is seen here as it passes the two remaining brick porticos of the "old bridge," built in 1847 and dismantled in 1934.
Narrow passage
When it was decided that PF6 would be delivered horizontally, rather than at a 45° incline, some of the narrowest passages on the Itinerary had to be enlarged. Here, the convoy passes between two small rock cliffs a few kilometres from the village of Saint-Paul-lez-Durance.
Walking with the load
In the most delicate passages, like here along the tree-lined alley in the village of Peyrolles-en-Provence, the convoy travels at walking speed.
One last briefing
Every convoy is unique and requires close coordination between the different actors involved. Although all details have long been planned and rehearsed, a last briefing is always organized prior to the convoy's departure.
Summit conference
Representatives of global logistics provider DAHER, François Genevey and Gilles Bonny, discuss the last details with ITER Director-General Bernard Bigot and Agence Iter France executive director Pierre-Marie Delplanque.
Imminent departure
Truck tractors engines and "power packs" are warming, last checks are being performed. In a few moments the convoy will depart for the last leg of its land journey: a 20-kilometre drive that will take the better part of the night.
Along the canal
Dust rises during the passage of the convoy as it travels along a track parallel to the EDF canal near the village of La-Roque-d'Anthéron. A full French gendarmerie squadron (approximately 50 people) travels along, securing the operation and managing the closure and reopening of roads.
Dealing with road signage
Road signs need to be removed to allow for the passage of the convoy and then returned to their original positions.
Entering the Itinerary proper
In the small town of Berre-L'Étang, the convoy enters the ITER Itinerary proper—a 106-kilometre-long journey that travels through 16 municipalities between the Mediterranean shores and the ITER site.
A 342-wheel transporter
The 342-wheel self-propelled transport vehicle is a prototype developed by the Dutch transporter Mammoet, operating as a contractor to ITER global logistics provider DAHER.
2,000 HP to move 800 tonnes
The trailer's twin hydraulic "power packs" deliver the horsepower equivalent to four conventional truck tractors. With the addition of two of the most powerful truck tractors on the market, the total moving power is in excess of 2,000 HP.