The new infrastructure will improve communications between Balikpapan and Indonesia's new capital, Nusantara (IKN), and was partially opened by President Joko Widodo in July 2024.
Sarens has worked on this project on behalf of PT. Global Perkasa Logistic, using mobile cranes such as the AC650t for the unloading and lifting of materials for this critical infrastructure at the Indonesian capital.
Despite construction delays, the bridge is expected to be fully operational this summer, coinciding with the Republic of Indonesia's Independence Day on 17th August this year.
With a structure supported by a central pylon, a length of more than 800 metres and a width of 22 metres and four lanes for road traffic, the IKN Bridge (acronym used for Indonesia 's new capital city, Nusantara) also known as the Balang Island Bridge, will be a vital infrastructure in the connection between Balikpapan and the new capital city of Indonesia, Nusantara, reducing between one and a half and two hours time travel to its capital. A crucial step in the ongoing development of IKN, underlining the Government's commitment to improving connectivity in the region. Officially opened by the president of the country, Joko Widodo, in July 2024, it was partially opened one-way in March and April, and after a series of delays in the development of the project is expected to open on 17 August, Independence Day of the Republic of Indonesia.
Sarens, world leader in heavy lifting, engineered transport and crane rental services, has collaborated in the development of this project on behalf of PT. Global Perkasa Logistic, lifting heavy girders and material supports essential for the bridge construction, with careful planning due to the size and weight of the loads. Key factors included managing multiple picks within a limited site space under a tight schedule. Other challenges included working in confined spaces and coordinating lifts amid ongoing site activities. The mobile crane performed slewing operations smoothly without needing to crawl, optimizing lift efficiency. The lifting team consisted of around 8 crew members, including operators, riggers, and signalers, ensuring the safety of this operation.
The Sarens team has put its specialised knowledge and machinery for this project, considering, among its wide range of machinery, that the most suitable crane for this transport was the AC650t mobile crane, due to its versatility, faster mobilisation and better efficiency for this type of unloading and lifting.
The equipment was transported from the shipyard in Balikpapan to the project site in 3 days, using 3 trailers to transport the crane and its components. Once there, the team completed the installation of the AC650t crane in another 2 days, certifying safety levels at all times. The most challenging aspect of the entire journey was the weather conditions: the continuous rains caused the surface to be wet and muddy, which made the passage to the site and the installation of the crane difficult. However, despite all the obstacles, the team managed to complete the installation in a timely manner.
The crane was deployed for 12 days at the IKN Bridge Balikpapan Project site. The most significant logistical challenge was precisely these same rains, which affected site access and equipment maneuverability. These factors required careful planning to maintain crane safety and efficiency at any time.
The manufacturer played a key role in supporting the project, providing technical assistance and ensuring that the crane was correctly configured. The manufacturer's team, despite not being on site, provided remote assistance throughout the project. With a correct after-sales service, responding to every demand of the Sarens team in terms of technical queries and a rapid supply of pieces, which has guaranteed a minimum of downtime and a smooth progress of the project.
Sarens has extensive experience in critical infrastructure projects in Indonesia, such as the collaboration with a SGC-90 Electric crane at the Balikpapan refinery project in East Kalimatan, on the island of Borneo or the support at the RDMP Balikpapan plant providing a Demag A650 mobile crane and carrying out the lifting and installation of steel structures and pipes weighing between 5 and 10 tons. More recently, Sarens has joined the Balikpapan port infrastructure expansion works on behalf of Pt. BMKU Tripatra Interport with the installation of a 103-ton deodorizer unit that will improve air quality in the port area.
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