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Out-of-gauge (OOG) cargo—the big, bulky, and heavy stuff that won’t fit in a standard container—doesn’t have to be hard. With the right plan, partners, and equipment, shipping oversized freight can be just as predictable as moving pallets. At Zenith Eclipse, OOG and heavy-lift logistics are our everyday work. We combine decades of project cargo experience, specialized gear, and a trusted global network to deliver complex loads safely, on schedule, and within budget.
This in-depth guide explains what OOG cargo is, how it moves, what drives cost and transit time, and how we build fail-safe plans for lanes like China → Europe—plus construction machinery moves, oil & gas projects, and time-critical express trucking. You’ll also find practical checklists, pricing insights, and pro tips to secure your next move.
Got an oversized shipment? Request an OOG rate quote and our project desk will map your route, review drawings, and share a detailed plan—fast.
OOG cargo is freight that exceeds one or more dimensions of a standard shipping container (length, width, or height), or is too heavy or awkward to load inside. Typical examples include:
• Heavy machinery (excavators, bulldozers, crushers, presses)
• Industrial modules and skids (generators, turbines, compressors)
• Oil & gas components (pressure vessels, columns, line pipe)
• Construction elements (bridge beams, prefab sections)
• Oversized vehicles (mining trucks, specialty rigs)
When cargo can’t fit inside a 20’ or 40’ dry container, we use specialized methods like flat rack containers, open-top containers, RO-RO (roll-on/roll-off), breakbulk, heavy-lift vessels, lowbed / multi-axle trailers, or a combination of these.
Flat racks are 20’ or 40’ platforms with strong end walls and no side walls; ideal for wide/tall equipment. We secure with blocking, bracing, cradles, and certified lashings. Great for: machinery, vehicles, skids, coils.
When to choose: You want liner-schedule reliability and port-to-port predictability, and your piece can be safely lashed to a rack.
Open tops allow loading via crane and can accept over-height cargo with a tarpaulin roof. Great for: tall machinery, awkward shapes that still fit within width/weight limits.
When to choose: Your cargo’s footprint fits a standard container, but height is the issue.
Cargo is wheeled or towed onto the vessel and secured on deck or underdeck. Great for: self-propelled equipment, trailers, modular skids on MAFI trailers.
When to choose: You want minimal lifts and reduced handling risk for drivable or towable units.
Cargo is lifted by ship or shore cranes and stowed piece by piece. Great for: very heavy or very large units beyond containerized options, or multi-piece projects.
When to choose: Cargo is outside container/RO-RO limits, you need custom stowage, or multiple oversized pieces must move together under one stow plan.
Lowboy/lowbed trailers, extendables, and multi-axle hydraulic platforms distribute weight and clear bridges. Rail is used where available for large inland spans.
When to choose: Last-mile delivery, cross-border inland legs, or project sites with road permit constraints.
• Dimensions & Weight: Even small increases can change the method (e.g., from flat rack to breakbulk).
• Handling Complexity: Special lifting beams, spreader bars, or gantry cranes raise cost.
• Origin/Destination Infrastructure: Not all ports can handle heavy lifts; diversions add time/money.
• Season & Space: Peak seasons and tight breakbulk/RO-RO space can extend lead times.
• Permits & Escorts: Road permits and pilot cars add both time and cost, especially cross-border.
• Packaging & Prep: Proper skids/cradles reduce damage risk and port dwell times.
• Insurance & Surveys: High-value units often require pre-load and discharge surveys.
Tip: Share drawings and weights early. Precise specs let us choose the least-cost safe method and lock in better rates.
We frequently manage heavy/OOG moves from Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Qingdao, Tianjin to Rotterdam, Hamburg, Antwerp, Bremerhaven and beyond. Why this lane works with us:
• Local Origin Control: Factory pickups, export customs, port entry, and stevedoring run on reliable SOPs with our China partners.
• Smart Mode Selection: We compare flat rack vs. RO-RO vs. breakbulk vs. open-top for each piece—no one-size-fits-all.
• Transshipment & Weather Windows: We plan with seasonality, typhoon windows, and Northern Europe congestion in mind.
• EU Arrival Execution: Smooth customs clearance, discharge handling, and on-carriage by lowbed or rail to site.
Use cases we handle often:
• Power-gen modules, switchgear rooms, compact turbines
• Mining and construction equipment (some partially dismantled)
• Oil & gas skids, heat exchangers, columns, and pressure vessels
• Sequence deliveries to match site readiness.
• Advise partial disassembly (e.g., removing excavator arms/booms) to reduce cost and risk.
• Use RO-RO for drivable units when possible; flat racks/open-tops for others.
• Protect sensitive parts with padding, weatherproof wraps, and corrosion inhibitors for sea exposure.
• Coordinate site cranes or self-offloading where needed.
Common equipment: Bulldozers, excavators, wheel loaders, crushers, screeners, mobile cranes, tower crane sections, pavers, rollers, concrete mixers, drilling rigs.
• Align with permit regimes, explosion-proof handling requirements, and terminal HSE rules.
• Plan quayside lifts using certified gear, spreader bars, and lift points confirmed by engineering drawings.
• Time deliveries to sync with barge transfers, offshore supply windows, or shutdown/turnaround dates.
• Provide method statements, risk assessments, and on-site supervision.
Typical OOG for oil & gas: Drilling rig components, mobile rigs, large valves, long pipe bundles, pressure vessels, compressors, power modules.
When deadlines are non-negotiable, our express trucking assigns dedicated vehicles and direct routes to cut hours—not corners. Ideal for:
• Urgent factory parts and production-line recovery
• Last-minute construction/site spares
• Ship spares and time-sensitive replacements
Where feasible, we combine express road with priority port handling to compress the end-to-end timeline.
Included in a thorough quote:
• Mode recommendation (flat rack / open-top / RO-RO / breakbulk) with rationale
• Port handling assumptions (origin/destination)
• Lashing, cradles, lifting gear expectations
• Customs formalities and documentation flow
• Inland legs, permits, escorts, pilot cars (if applicable)
• Insurance options and survey notes
• Milestone plan and provisional ETAs
• Exclusions and variables (so there are no surprises)
What we need from you (the more exact, the better):
• Dimensions (L × W × H) and weight of each piece
• Drawings/photos, COG and lifting points if known
• Pickup address, site access constraints, and crane availability
• Delivery site restrictions, working hours, and contact details
• Desired transit window or must-arrive date
• Packaging plan (skids, crates, shrink-wrap, tarps)
• Provide exact dims/weight per piece (metric or imperial)
• Mark lifting/lashing points; share drawings/photos
• Confirm packaging (IPPC pallets, steel skids, blocking)
• Declare any hazmat or sensitive contents
• Share site access and loading gear availability
• Align INCOTERMS® (e.g., FCA, FOB, CIF, DAP)
• Confirm insurance preference and survey requirements
• Identify critical path date (earliest start/latest arrival)
• Crane or forklift on site (if needed)
• Clear laydown area and weather plan
• Confirm route to final installation point
• Team briefed on unloading sequence and safety
1. “Approximate” dimensions → Always measure precisely; centimeters matter.
2. Under-estimating permits → We plan permit lead times into the schedule.
3. Weak packaging → We insist on proper cradles/blocks; it saves damages and delays.
4. Ignoring COG → Lifting plans are COG-driven; we verify before booking.
5. Overlooking port cut-offs → We target earlier gates and backup sailings.
6. Skipping surveys → High-value moves include pre-load/discharge surveys.
7. Weather wishful thinking → Seasonal buffers and alternate routings are built in.
8. Assuming any trailer will do → We assign the right trailer (extendable, multi-axle, lowbed).
9. Late documentation → Export/import paperwork is prepared in parallel with ops.
• End-to-End Control: From factory floor to foundation bolts, we manage the chain.
• Mode-Agnostic Planning: We choose the best method for your cargo—flat rack, open-top, RO-RO, breakbulk, or combined.
• Global Network: Strong port stevedores, heavy-haulers, and local agents on every leg.
• Transparent Communication: Live milestones, proactive exceptions handling, single-thread contact.
• Safety First: Engineered lifts and lashings, verified SWLs, and compliance with terminal HSE.
• Fast, Accurate Quotes: Share your specs—we’ll revert quickly with options.
Email us (Trans@zenitheclipse.com) write about your shipment and we’ll send a tailored solution—fast.
