Planning project cargo: permits, surveys and load engineering
PublishedUnited Carriers team
Oversized and heavy lift shipments succeed or fail in the planning stage. These are the steps that keep a complex move on schedule.
Project cargo covers anything too large, too heavy or too complex to move as standard freight: transformers, mining equipment, modular buildings, industrial plant and more. The transport itself is often the shortest part of the job. Most of the work happens before anything is lifted.
Start with accurate data
Everything depends on precise dimensions, weights and centres of gravity. Drawings from the manufacturer are the starting point, and they should be confirmed against the finished item before transport plans are locked in.
Route surveys
For road legs, a route survey checks bridge limits, overhead clearances, turning circles and road surfaces between pickup and delivery. It shows where powerlines may need to be lifted, signs removed or traffic managed, and how long each of those steps will take.
Permits and escorts
Oversize and overmass loads need permits from road authorities, and many also need pilot vehicles or police escorts. Approval times vary between states and authorities, so applications should be lodged early in the planning process.
Engineered loading
Lift plans, lashing calculations and stowage plans make sure the cargo is secured for the forces it will face on the road, at sea or in the air. Specialist equipment such as heavy lift cranes, self-propelled modular transporters or flat rack containers is booked to match.
- Involve your logistics partner while the equipment is still being built.
- Allow time for permit approvals in your project schedule.
- Agree on site access and offloading arrangements before the cargo ships.
