Every industry has processes that are used as a solution to perform tougher activities. Logistics is no different with regards to project cargo, which has been boosted thanks to globalization and the possibility of growth when engaging in international trade.
Project cargo or heavy lift is an activity that involves certain logistics to transport heavy or oversized cargo. It’s necessary to display special characteristics along the transport logistic process and draw on expertise in this matter. Here, we will walk you through the logistics and transportation process of heavy cargo by sea, land and air.
Heavy lift transportation, how does it work?
Heavy lift transportation can be made in three ways: using freight trucks, ships or aircraft. However, sea transportation is more commonly used for project cargo since ships or “heavy lift carriers” make transportation more efficient.
Cargo ships are ideal for sea transportation due to their dimensions and capacity to bear heavier weights than the carrier itself. Cargo management is performed on the ships, which will help conclude projects or other activities, as is the case of transporting oil platforms.
These sea freighters include the machinery required to unload the cargo, facilitating discharge and eliminating the need of having specialized equipment at ports or small unloading areas. This is why heavy lift carriers are a fundamental component in project cargo freight by sea.
In what concerns road cargo transportation, it is important to bear in mind that the weight allowed in regular trucks may vary but must not exceed 26.5 tons, which will depend on the type of product, truck specifications and road characteristics.
Due to the above, project cargo management on the road must be performed extremely carefully as excess weight and/or size limits come into play and following safety measures at all times is paramount. In addition, this mode of transport is restricted to certain types of cargo. In Mexico, for instance, there are some cases where trucks are allowed to transport cargo that cannot be divided with the prior approval of the Ministry of Communications and Transport.
Despite being less common, aircraft are also used to transport oversized cargo. The logistics behind this type of transportation requires either cargo or combi aircraft -passengers and cargo-, but heavy lift requires machinery that supports the weight without endangering the flight.
As a result, air transportation of high-volume cargo can only be made with aircraft and carriers that have a broad cargo capacity, such as Airbus 300-600 ST and Antonov 225 Mriya. Unlike other modes of transport, the great convenience air freight provides is the possibility of moving loads much faster, making it a great option in foreign trade.
We know that a complex process such as project cargo logistics can appear intimidating due to the distinct considerations behind the process; however, you can reach out a specialized team such as Akzent to clear up your doubts and help you go through this process much more smoothly.
