Moving high-tonnage pumps, tanks, and large-diameter pipes to coastal or remote areas becomes a key bottleneck for the on-time delivery of water projects.
Sarens reinforces its operational capacity in the country with 60 self-propelled modular transporter (SPMT) axle lines and advanced engineering to ensure the safe delivery of critical equipment to desalination mega-plants.
According to strategic plans from the National Water Grid Authority and the Australian Government’s Australian Infrastructure Investment Program, the country has mobilized public and private investment exceeding 10 billion Australian dollars in water infrastructure, dams, and desalination plants to secure urban, agricultural, and industrial water supply in response to the impacts of climate change. However, the development and expansion of these water treatment plants and distribution networks requires the importation and movement of large hydraulic pumps, filtration modules, storage tanks, and large-diameter pipelines that frequently exceed hundreds of tons. Moving these high-tonnage structures to hard-to-reach coastal areas or remote rural regions has become one of the main operational bottlenecks for construction companies in the sector.
To address this technical complexity and avoid fragmentation among multiple subcontractors, Sarens, world leader in heavy lifting, engineered transport and crane rental services, has reinforced its service model in Australia by offering integrated solutions combining long-distance road haulage with on-site Self-Propelled Modular Transporters (SPMTs) for final plant delivery. Under its integrated services methodology (Crane+), the company assumes the full lifecycle of the logistics operation. This ranges from front-end engineering—including feasibility studies, ground bearing pressure analysis, and trailer simulation—to the operational management of route permits, escort coordination, and route infrastructure modifications, culminating in heavy transport from the port of entry and direct placement onto foundations through precision maneuvering on site.
To respond immediately to the demands of water infrastructure and civil engineering projects, Sarens operates from its strategic offices in Perth (Western Australia) and Brisbane (Queensland), offering the local market a powerful deployment of its own assets. This technical capacity includes 60 self-propelled modular transporter (SPMT) axle lines from the Kamag/Cometto series, which can be coupled hydraulically and electronically on site; a heavy road transport fleet featuring a heavy-duty Volvo prime mover and extendable trailers; as well as a national fleet of 30 cranes covering Rough Terrain, All-Terrain, and crawler models, backed by the mobilization power of its global network and heavy asset inventory.
According to Willem Jobse, Regional Director Sarens Oceania, “building and expanding desalination plants and water infrastructure across a territory as vast as Australia requires an exceptional level of planning, engineering, and operational muscle. Construction companies are not simply looking to rent a truck or a crane, but rather a partner capable of managing the entire logistics chain—from evaluating access routes to the millimetric positioning of large pumps on foundations. With our local SPMT fleet, the capacity of our engineers, and the Crane+ methodology we apply globally, we ensure that this critical equipment reaches its destination and is installed safely and on schedule”.
Sarens has a solid national and international track record in the industrial sector and heavy civil works, establishing itself as a key partner in technically complex projects. In Australia, the company has contributed to significant infrastructure milestones such as the installation of a 3,000-ton bridge section for the Darlington Freeway in Adelaide using 132 SPMT axle lines. Internationally, Sarens has demonstrated its operational capability across various industrial environments by executing massive geotechnical works such as the installation of 18,000 concrete piles for the Silleno LLP petrochemical complex in Kazakhstan, the fabrication and supply of more than 2,800 tons of structural steel for a plant in Rayong (Thailand), and the complex overland transport of oversized components across a 3,800-kilometer route in Central Asia under extreme weather conditions.
About Sarens
Sarens is the global leader and reference in crane rental, heavy lift and engineered transportation services. With state-of-the-art equipment, value engineering, one of the world's largest inventories of cranes, transporters and special rigging equipment, Sarens offers creative and intelligent solutions to today's heavy lifting and engineering transport challenges.
With more than 100 entities in 70 countries operating without borders, Sarens is an ideal partner for small to large-scale projects. Sarens currently employs 6,500 highly qualified professionals who are ready to serve the needs of any client worldwide and in all market sectors. https://www.sarens.com/