Bespoke Nuclear Isolator Transport & Installation from UK to Norway
Client: Onet Gravatom Technologies Limited (Nuclear Engineering)
Project Overview
CIS was appointed to deliver a highly specialised lifting, transport, and installation solution for a bespoke nuclear medicine isolator system, manufactured in Hampshire, UK and destined for the Institute for Energy Technology in Norway.
This complex system consisted of three individual components weighing 21, 15, and 8 tonnes, each clad in lead to ensure operator protection from radioactive materials. The project required precision handling, specialist engineering expertise, and seamless international logistics.
The Challenge
The client required a fully managed solution to:
Safely separate and remove the isolator system from the UK manufacturing facility
Transport the components internationally from Hampshire to Norway
Deliver and install the system within a live nuclear research environment
The complexity was heightened by:
The sensitive nature of nuclear medicine equipment
The extreme weight and density of lead-lined components
The need for bespoke lifting solutions adaptable to multiple handling methods
Why CIS Was Selected
CIS was chosen based on:
A long-standing, trusted relationship with the Principal Contractor
A strong reputation in complex, high-risk engineering projects
Proven capability in bespoke lifting and international heavy transport
No alternative contractors were considered.
Our Solution
Custom Engineering & Design
CIS designed and manufactured a bespoke interchangeable lifting rig, capable of:
Lifting from above using cranes
Lifting from below using air-skate systems
Each component was proof-load tested to ensure maximum safety and compliance.
Planning & Risk Management
CIS conducted detailed site surveys in both the UK and Norway, producing:
Comprehensive RAMS (Risk Assessment Method Statements)
Detailed lift plans and logistics strategies
The scope covered:
Separation and removal
Heavy lifting operations
Transport logistics (including sea crossings)
Final installation at the Norwegian facility
Adapting to Changing Conditions
A key project change occurred when final testing delays shifted the transport schedule into winter.
With temperatures expected to reach -15°C in Norway, CIS proactively mitigated risks by:
Specifying low-temperature steel for the lifting rig to prevent brittle fracture
Installing a drying unit in the air-skate system to avoid freezing
Coordinating with transport providers to ensure winter-ready vehicles and tyres
Execution
The project involved:
Deployment of a 160-tonne mobile crane at both UK and Norwegian sites
Use of spreader beams for stable load distribution
Implementation of air-skate systems, effectively allowing the loads to “hover” for controlled movement
A specialist CIS team managing operations end-to-end, including international travel
Logistics included:
Carefully scheduled ferry crossings to ensure calm sea conditions
Continuous CCTV monitoring inside transport vehicles to safeguard the cargo
Results
✅ Zero safety incidents
✅ Delivered on schedule, despite programme changes
✅ Completed within budget
✅ Successful installation within a highly sensitive nuclear environment
This project demonstrates CIS’ ability to:
Deliver bespoke engineering solutions for complex loads
Manage international heavy transport logistics
Adapt quickly to changing environmental and operational challenges
Execute safely within high-risk, regulated industries
