150-tonne transformer being lifted from MV Honesty at ABP's Port of Teignmouth
ABP’s Port of Teignmouth has successfully completed the arrival, storage, and onward movement of a 150‑tonne transformer for National Grid infrastructure in Exeter, bringing a complex, multi‑stage logistics project to a close.
The transformer, manufactured by Hyosung in South Korea, formed part of a wider UK order programme. Following international shipment to Rotterdam, the unit was transhipped to Teignmouth.
Complex arrival and heavy-lift operation
The transformer arrived at Teignmouth aboard the MV Honesty in the early hours of 4 December 2025. Heavy‑lift specialist Allelys led the discharge operation, mobilising a 1,000‑tonne crane at the port.
The lift moved the transformer directly from the vessel’s hold onto a low‑loader before transfer to a designated secure storage area within the port.
Secure storage and onward planning
Following discharge, the transformer remained safely stored at Teignmouth while teams planned the onward road move. ABP colleagues worked closely with Allelys throughout this period, coordinating traffic management, storage arrangements, and ongoing port activity.
Final departure and road movement
On Friday 10 April 2026, the transformer departed the Port of Teignmouth, marking the final stage of the operation. Allelys managed the road transport on behalf of the customer, moving the load approximately 20 miles to its final destination in Exeter.
The move took around six hours and required a full police escort, with temporary road closures in place along the route. The scale of the operation drew significant local interest, with residents gathering to watch the convoy leave the port.
Supporting critical national infrastructure
The successful delivery and departure of the transformer demonstrated the Port of Teignmouth’s capability to handle large, specialist cargoes safely and efficiently. The project covered international shipping, heavy‑lift vessel operations, long‑term storage, and complex road movements, delivered through close collaboration between ABP and Allelys.
The operation reinforced Teignmouth’s role in supporting critical national infrastructure and highlighted the professionalism of the teams involved throughout the process.
