Double stacking containers on trucks

In 2023 Qube Logistics along with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) and the Australian Road Research Board (ARRB) tested something new at the Port of Brisbane in Australia – a double stack container truck, of 8TEU (twenty-foot equivalent) capacity.

Qube photo

The pair of specially designed trailers were designed by The Drake Group.

And Prime Mover Magazine writing about the trial.

Qube pioneers double stacked container vehicle
June 8, 2023

A double stacked container vehicle has been trialled for the first time on port and public roads in Australia.

The Super B-double Double Stacked vehicle was operated by Qube as part of a trial conducted under stringent safety and operational conditions at the Port of Brisbane.

Both the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) and the Australian Road Research Board (ARRB) oversaw the trial which involved the vehicle carrying eight empty twenty-foot equivalent (TEU) containers on a defined route within Qube’s port facilities and limited public port roads.

The trial was conducted under a temporary permit from the NHVR and temporary consent granted by PBPL as the Port’s road manager.

The Super B was pulled by a Scania prime mover.

Nicknamed ‘the London Project’ in homage to London’s iconic double decker buses, the high productivity vehicles have the potential to increase operational efficiencies, given their ability to move 12 TEUs at a time.

Qube also expects the double stacked triple trailing units produced by O’Phee Trailers and the Drake Group, will lower emissions by eliminating truck movements.

PBPL CEO, Neil Stephens, congratulated all who were involved on the successful trial which followed a significant period of design, engineering and consultation by Qube with its stakeholders, including PBPL.

“This is a fantastic outcome for Qube and all parties involved today. It’s also a clear demonstration of the collaboration and innovation being achieved by our customers and partners here at the Port that’s enhancing productivity and efficiency in their operations,” said Stephens.

“As Port Manager, one of our key priorities is investing in infrastructure to support supply chain efficiency,” he said.

“We were pleased to deliver road improvement works and upgrade the access/egress to a number of facilities to support this new vehicle and Qube’s innovation.”

Under its current permit and consent conditions, the new double stacked vehicle will transport empty containers on a defined route within Qube’s facility and limited public port roads, under stringent safety and operational conditions.

Why not three trailers?

In December 2023 an even longer double stack truck was tested – with a third trailer being added.

Qube photo

Taking capacity to 12 TEU.

Prime Mover Magazine reporting on the trial.

Qube trials Super B-triple double-stack in Brisbane
December 15, 2023

Port cartage and logistics specialist, Qube, has successfully completed the first on-road trial of a Super B-triple double-stack combination at the Port of Brisbane.

Approved under Performance-Based Standards, the combination will move empty containers to vessels from nearby facilities.

Earlier this year the double-stack trial took place as part of Project London Stage 1 at the Port – the first time a Super B double-stacked container vehicle had run on port roads in Australia.

Yesterday was the first trial for Stage 2, and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and ARRB – Australian Road Research Board were at the trial, which was conducted under stringent safety and operational conditions.

The trial, as with all others, was conducted on highly controlled port roads.

Stacked to an Australian-first height of over seven metres, this PBS innovation is anticipated by Qube to bring a significant boost to productivity when transporting empty containers – saving both money and time.

The product of a collaboration between O’Phee Trailers and The Drake Group with National Heavy Vehicle Regulator and the Port of Brisbane, these high-productivity vehicles have the potential to increase operational efficiencies, given their ability to move 12 x 20ft containers at a time.

“As Port Manager, it’s fantastic to be working with our customers to continually improve productivity, through innovative and sustainably focused transport delivery,” said the Port of Brisbane in an online statement.

Or a road train?

How about a 300-metre long double stacked road train, weighing 750 tonnes?

Volvo photo

Volvo Trucks put together such a consist back in 2016 as a publicity stunt to demonstrate the capabilities of their trucks.

Volvo FH16 and I-Shift with crawler gears pull 750 tonnes

In a great power test, a Volvo FH16 featuring the I-Shift with crawler gears manages to haul a 300-metre long container train, weighing 750 tonnes, from standstill.

The purpose of the record-breaking haul is to demonstrate the capabilities of the I-Shift transmission with crawler gears. It offers starting traction that is unlike anything else on the market for series-produced trucks. The crawler ratios make it possible to haul really heavy loads, start off in difficult terrain, and drive at speeds as low as 0.5 km/h. Specially built trucks are normally used for exceptionally heavy loads, but during a great power test we are using a Volvo FH16 that has come virtually straight from the factory.

In the port of Gothenburg, on a winterday beginning of 2016, a reach stacker places the last shipping container on a road train that stretches over 300 metres long. The 40 containers are loaded with spare parts from Volvo, which will be shipped to various destinations around the world. But right now, they are being used in an attempt at a world record – a Volvo FH16 750 truck will try to pull the 750-tonne load. Hopefully it will be possible thanks to the I-Shift with crawler gears. It can start from standstill with 325 tonnes, but can it start with 750 tonnes? “I’ve been counting on this. It should … it should be possible,” says Niklas Öberg, one of the engineers who helped develop the new gearbox.

For a single truck to tow 750 tonnes, the conditions have to be perfect. The whole rig must be meticulously loaded in order not to collapse, all towing couplings must be checked and the air pressure in all 204 tyres must be continuously adjusted. In addition, the ground should be dry, as moisture can make the truck slip. The onsite crew discuss the weather. Just days earlier there was persistent wind and rain, but right now it looks as if it will actually be possible.

The crew signal to the cab that they should make an attempt. The engine purrs, Magnus engages the minimum crawler gear and revs up the engine. But something goes wrong. The truck roars and the front of the cab starts to rise into the air. “Stop! Stop!” screams Niklas Öberg, waving his arms. Magnus releases the gas and the cab front hits the ground.

The team is now looking at the trailers and pressurising the air system to release the brakes on each trailer for another attempt. Magnus leans back and pushes down on the accelerator. The engine rumbles and at first nothing happens. Then it begins: A super-slow forward motion. Slowly but steadily, the 300-metre, 750-tonne container train crawls forward. The truck approaches the finishing line – 100 metres from the starting point – and the crowd cheer as it passes.

I’ve seen trains smaller than this record breaking truck!

Further reading

• Double-stack rail transport at Wikipedia
• O-Phee London Trailer | A World First at Drake Group

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