From Vision to Reality: Tschudi Logistics Delivers Valmet’s Record Yankee Dryer to Mariestad
When a project is years in the making, with numerous stakeholders, technical complexities, and tight margins for error, only one thing can bring it all together: a precise and experienced logistical setup. At Tschudi Logistics, we’re proud to have provided just that for the successful delivery of Valmet’s record-breaking 206-ton Yankee dryer to Metsä Tissue’s new Future Mill in Mariestad.
A Multi-Year Effort with Many Moving Parts
This project was far more than a simple delivery — it was the culmination of meticulous planning that began as early as 2018. The Yankee dryer, Valmet’s largest ever at 6.7 meters in diameter and weighing 206 tonnes, started its journey at the manufacturer’s site in Karlstad, Sweden. Transporting an item of this scale required the coordination of road transport, waterway navigation, port handling, and city-center logistics – and that’s where Tschudi Logistics came in.
“We provided the complete logistical setup,” says Mads Olsen, Deputy CEO of Tschudi Logistics. “That means not just moving cargo from A to B, but solving every challenge along the way – from finding a barge that was both large enough to carry the dryer and small enough to navigate the narrow channels and port, to coordinating with all stakeholders involved to align timelines, permits, and handling conditions. That’s where our experience really shines.”
Multimodal, Tailored – and Always on Target
After leaving Karlstad, the dryer was loaded onto a specially selected barge for a journey across Lake Vänern. The selection of the barge was one of the critical success factors – it had to meet strict size specifications to access Mariestad’s small port while still being capable of handling the sheer dimensions and weight of the cargo. Once ashore, the final leg of the journey went right through Mariestad’s center, drawing curious onlookers and showcasing the scale of the operation.
📌 You can read more about the arrival of the Yankee dryer to Mariestad in this article from Metsä Tissue: Yankee Cylinder anlände till Mariestad
For Tschudi, this wasn’t just a transport job — it was a testament to our core strength: delivering smart, multimodal logistics solutions for oversized and complex cargo. Our experience in managing project cargo, visible in our portfolio of challenging logistics cases (see examples), ensures that we can provide flexible, safe, and efficient delivery every time.
Delivering More Than Just Cargo
The Yankee dryer’s arrival marks a milestone not only for Valmet, delivering its 700th Yankee cylinder, but also for Metsä Tissue’s major €370 million investment in future-proof, sustainable tissue production. The new facility will reduce water consumption per ton by 50% and aims to be fossil-fuel free by 2030.
“We’re proud to have been part of such a meaningful project,” adds Mads Olsen. “It’s more than moving machinery – it’s contributing to the future of sustainable production and showing what’s possible when you combine logistics expertise with long-term collaboration.”
At Tschudi Logistics, we don’t just deliver cargo — we deliver solutions.
