Ship Loader Lifting Truss
Swanton Welding Company recently wrapped up fabrication of a Ship Loader Lifting Truss, a large two-piece assembly designed for a Bruks Siwertell loading system. The finished components will be shipped to Enviva in Wilmington, North Carolina, demonstrating our ability to move oversized fabrications across long distances without issue.
The project ran from August 11 to December 1 and involved building two massive support trusses that carry conveyor equipment on a ship loader. Each unit measured 48 feet long, 19 feet 6 inches wide, and 13 feet high, weighing 39,500 pounds. The scale of this build made full use of our expanded shop space, which allowed the team to maneuver, assemble, and weld the large frames safely and efficiently.
Fabrication centered on A36 carbon steel beams, angle iron, and plate, shaped and prepared through saw cutting, machining, beam line work, coping, stress relieving, heat treating, and MIG welding. Once fabrication was complete, both trusses moved through surface preparation and finishing. They received a full sandblast followed by a three-coat paint system designed to protect steel in saltwater environments often encountered in maritime loading operations. This finishing approach helps the trusses perform reliably in ocean-exposed conditions.
Key steps used during the build included:
Saw cutting, machining, beam line work, coping, stress relieving, heat treating, MIG welding, sandblasting, and a three-coat marine-grade paint system
These oversized components highlight the strength of our large project workflow. From handling heavy structural assemblies to preparing them for demanding coastal applications, the team delivered a finished product ready for installation on a high-capacity ship loader.
If you have a large fabrication project that needs experience, space, and nationwide shipping capability, Swanton Welding is ready to help.
Start Date
August 11, 2025Completion Date
December 1, 2025Location
Wilmington, NCMaterials
A36 Carbon Steel Beams, Angle iron, and plateFabrication Methods
Saw Cutting, Machining, Beam Line, Coping, Stress Relieving, Heat treating, Mig Welding
Finishing Details
Sandblasting and painting with a three coat system for protection from salt water.
Size
(2) Pieces each being 48’Long x 19’-6" Wide x 13’ HighWeight
39,500 poundsSpecial Notes
Nothing more than large shop space requirements



