Project Logistics
Large Projects Shipping
Large Projects Shipping is considered one of the most complex types
of shipping. Shipping in this category requires specialized
procedures for transportation as it is often a large-scale
operation. Large projects usually consist of several pieces with
heavy loads, which require a great deal of pre-planning and
specialized equipment for shipping.
What is Large Projects Shipping?
Large Projects Shipping, also known as (project cargo) is a term
widely used in the logistics services industry to describe mega
pieces of equipment for these projects that are transported, whether
locally or internationally. Also, it should be noted that
transporting such large parts of equipment involves many challenges.
Firstly, many safety procedures must be followed, as inappropriate
handling of large equipment pieces can cause harm to workers and
damage to the vehicles that transport them.
Secondly, shipping large equipment parts for such large projects can
also take a long time, as simply loading and unloading such large
equipment takes a long time.
Thirdly, shipping the project’s goods and equipment must be done;
using non-traditional and specialized transportation methods.
Examples of Large Projects Shipping:
Wind turbines used in renewable energy.
Large metal tanks and structures.
Rockets used in space science.
Tanks, aircraft, and military equipment used by the army.
Prefab homes that are dismantled into large pieces and parts for
easier shipping.
Pre-fabricated bridges and structures.
Tunnel boring machines
Tractors
Disassembled oil and gas facilities.
How are Large Project Parts Shipped?
Due to the large size and weight of most project parts, many of
which are non-divisible pieces that can weigh between one to
hundreds of tons and have widths or heights that exceed tens of
meters, they are classified as heavy lift cargo.
Thus, the most common methods used for transporting large projects
are through land and maritime, where it is easier to transport and
load large project parts onto trucks or ships and ship them locally
or internationally with ease.
However, it should be noted that specialized vehicles, ships, and
equipment are required to transport these items safely and
efficiently by land or maritime.
Land Shipping for Large Projects:
Land shipping is often used for local transportation of large
project parts or shipping to a neighbouring country with
transportation methods suitable for the vehicles used to transport
the large project parts.
Flatbed shipping is often the most common type of shipping; used for
these machines. Flatbeds are non-traditional carriers with a flat
surface and no sides or roof, making them ideal for transporting
large, heavy machines that cannot be easily dismantled. However,
flatbed shipping is not suitable for small or light machinery.
Standard trailers can also be used if the project parts are too
large for a flatbed trailer. These trailers tend to be longer and
broader than flatbeds and have the excellent advantage of working
with a hydraulic system, which helps maintain the balance of the
trailer and the cargo being transported.
There are several types of carriers or trailers used for
transporting large projects, including wider.
Heavy equipment transporters (HET)
Self-propelled modular transporters (SPMT)
Hydraulic trailers
Extendable trailers
Lowboy trailers
Maritime Shipping for Large Projects:
It is often difficult to transport large project parts using
containers, whether 20, 40, or 45 feet containers or open-top
containers. Speaking of sensitive or smaller pieces, they can be
transported using these containers loaded onto the back of ships.
Roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) shipping can also be used, which is the most
common type of shipping used for transporting large project parts.
RoRo shipping is similar to container shipping, but it uses
non-enclosed containers. This type of shipping is best for large
machines that can be dismantled and loaded onto ships. However, RoRo
shipping is more expensive than flatbed shipping.
Factors in Large Projects Shipping:
Moreover, several essential points should be considered before
embarking on large transportation projects to ensure the success of
the shipping process. These points include:
1- Budget Preparation:
Transporting project elements is very expensive compared to other
shipping services, as the cost is affected by the loading,
unloading, transportation, and fuel costs, specifically since
specialized transportation and handling equipment, cranes, and a
proficient shipping method are used to transport the parts of these
large projects, which increases the cost of the shipping process.
Additionally, the budget includes customs costs, so all customs
clearance requirements, fees, taxes, and documents must be known
according to the desired shipping method, whether by land or
maritime, especially since the customs process for large project
shipping is much more complex than enduring shipping methods.
2- Consulting with a project shipping expert:
The preparation process may be very exhausting, which is why you may
need some assistance so you can benefit from the services of project
shipping experts at Rwamps Global Air- Cargo for shipping services.
These experts will help you prepare your budget and inform you of
all current customs fees, procedures, and regulations so that you
can understand your duties better. Also, they can help you determine
the documents you will need to bring your project shipment to the
country where it is located or to send it to another country.
One of the critical factors when transporting large projects is
knowing the route that will be used, as some of them may be
dangerous or have obstacles that prevent the shipping of large
project parts, so planning for land transport may not be preferable
in this case.
Fortunately, project shipping experts can assist you in this
planning process part. Starting with knowing the size of your
project, they can find the appropriate travel route for it and
determine whether land or maritime shipping is best.
3- Creating an emergency plan:
Things can go wrong during the transport of project parts, as
unforeseen circumstances, such as changes in weather conditions or
breakdowns of the carriers carrying the project parts, can occur.
Therefore, at Al-Fares, we can create an emergency plan that allows
you to continue the shipping process in case of any mistakes.
4- Execution:
Once the primary and secondary transport plans are ready, now, we
can begin the process of shipping project parts.
Having a professional and experienced logistics partner for project
shipping is essential and convenient, as shipping project parts is
considered a complex and expensive task. In case of any mistakes
during the shipping process, you have to ensure that your shipping
agent can create solutions.