West Bank Highway Secures $850K Water Truck Fleet

Libyan Infrastructure Demands Robust Water Solutions

West Bank Highway Company, a major contractor engaged in Libya's critical nationwide infrastructure revival, faced a pressing logistical challenge. With over 500 kilometers of primary and secondary roadways under reconstruction, the consistent supply of water for soil compaction, dust suppression, and concrete curing became a pivotal factor impacting project timelines. The company required a fleet of high-capacity, ultra-durable water trucks capable of operating in extreme desert conditions, where ambient temperatures regularly exceed 48°C (118°F) and terrain varies from loose sand to rocky outcrops. Their initial procurement plan involved an investment of $850,000 USD for a turnkey solution. The core problem was sourcing not just standard tankers, but engineering marvels built to deliver a minimum of 20,000 liters of water per trip, sustain a flow rate above 1,800 liters per minute, and guarantee 95% operational uptime across dispersed sites with minimal maintenance support, all within a strict 75-day delivery window to avoid delaying work on three key highway segments.

Ensuring Compliance with Specific Export Standards

A critical hurdle for West Bank Highway Company was navigating the dual requirements of flawless export documentation and precise technical specifications for the Libyan market. Given the complex customs procedures in Libya, any discrepancy in paperwork could lead to port delays of 20-30 days, incurring demurrage charges estimated at $150-$200 per day per container. However, their foremost technical specification was non-negotiable: all chassis must be certified to Euro III emission standards. This requirement was strategically essential for three reasons: ensuring long-term regulatory compliance in a region gradually tightening emissions rules, securing access to a proven generation of engine technology renowned for its reliability and ease of maintenance in harsh environments, and optimizing fuel efficiency—a major cost factor given projected annual travel distances of over 60,000 kilometers per vehicle. Finding a supplier capable of providing genuine Euro III chassis in new condition, along with a full suite of authentic, legalized export documents, was a significant procurement challenge.

Deploying a Custom Engineered Dual Component Strategy

Shandong Yuxuan Import & Export Co., Ltd. responded with a comprehensive, two-pronged solution focusing on both superior tank engineering and a reliable, compliant powertrain. We moved beyond off-the-shelf models to deliver a fully customized product.

• High-Strength Custom Water Tank: We designed and fabricated the water tank using 5mm thick high-tensile strength Q345B carbon steel, a 25% increase in material strength compared to standard tanks. The interior received a three-stage protection process: first, abrasive blasting to SA 2.5 cleanliness; second, application of a 250-micron thick zinc-rich epoxy primer; third, a final coat of a specialized NSF-certified potable water-grade epoxy, ensuring corrosion resistance for a minimum of 8 years. The tank structure included four internal baffle chambers to reduce fluid slosh by 70%, enhancing vehicle stability. The total water capacity was precisely engineered to 22,000 liters.
• Euro III Compliant Powertrain Package: We configured the trucks on the reliable Dongfeng Tianjin 6x4 chassis. The centerpiece was the installation of the Cummins ISDe 6.7-liter turbocharged diesel engine, rated at 200 horsepower and certified to Euro III standards. This engine was paired with a fast 9-speed manual transmission and a heavy-duty dual-reduction axle with a 5.73 ratio, optimized for high-torque, low-speed site work. The entire powertrain was specified for high-ambient-temperature operation, featuring a 40% larger radiator core and a heavy-duty cyclonic air pre-cleaner to handle Libya's dusty conditions.

Executing a Phased Verification and Delivery Protocol

The project was managed through a transparent, five-phase process over 70 days, ensuring West Bank Highway Company had visibility at every step.

• Phase 1: Design and Contract Finalization (Days 1-10): Technical drawings for the tank and chassis configuration were approved. A detailed contract specifying the $850,000 value, split into chassis, tank fabrication, and compliance documentation, was signed with a 40% advance payment.
• Phase 2: Fabrication and Assembly (Days 11-45): Concurrent tank fabrication and chassis preparation. The tank build was documented with over 120 quality-check photos. The chassis underwent a pre-delivery inspection (PDI) verifying the Euro III engine certification (Certificate of Conformity No. EEC-70/220-03).
• Phase 3: Integration and Testing (Days 46-55): Tank mounting, plumbing installation, and pump calibration. Each completed truck underwent a 48-hour test cycle, including a static pressure test at 1.5 times operational pressure and a dynamic road test with a full water load to verify braking and handling.
• Phase 4: Documentation and Pre-shipment (Days 56-65): Compilation of the export dossier: Commercial Invoice, Packing List, Bill of Lading, Certificate of Origin, and the critical Euro III Engine Emission Certificate. All documents were translated into Arabic and pre-submitted to our Libyan agent for customs pre-clearance.
• Phase 5: Shipment and Handover Preparation (Days 66-70): The four completed trucks were loaded and shipped from Tianjin Port to Tripoli. GPS trackers were activated, and final operator manuals (in Arabic) were prepared.

Validating Performance and Establishing Service Trust

The project culminated in a resounding success marked by hands-on validation and long-term service assurance. A technical director from West Bank Highway Company traveled to our facility for final inspection. He personally conducted a 2-hour driving test with a fully loaded truck, focusing on the Cummins engine's performance. He reported exceptional low-end torque, with the vehicle easily climbing a 25% grade from a standstill, and noted the engine temperature remained stable at 92°C despite repeated high-load cycles in 35°C ambient heat. His team also scrutinized the tank's weld quality and interior coating, confirming it matched the specification. Upon arrival in Libya, the fleet cleared customs in 4 days due to the precise documentation. In the first 6 months of operation, the trucks achieved a 98% availability rate, with the Cummins engines showing a 12% better fuel economy than older fleet vehicles. This performance, coupled with our commitment to providing a dedicated stock of commonly replaced parts in Misrata, has drastically reduced downtime concerns. The success of this $850,000 project has established a trusted partnership, leading to preliminary discussions for a second-phase order of 6 specialized bitumen sprayers, representing an additional potential business volume of over $1.2 million for Shandong Yuxuan.