Guide to shipping heavy equipment

If you have found yourself in need of moving your heavy equipment internationally, this article will take you through the key steps and considerations for a smooth shipping process.

What heavy equipment shipping methods are available?

Whether you’re an individual shipper or a business, there are several ocean shipping methods you can use for your heavy equipment.

Here’s what you need to know about each:

RoRo shipping

Roll-On / Roll-Off shipping is one of the most frequently used shipping methods for heavy equipment, particularly machinery on wheels. Specialized RoRo vessels allow the equipment to be simply driven onto and off the vessels via ramps, which is then secured on the deck. It is a highly efficient and cost-effective method, designed to accommodate large and heavy cargo.

LoLo shipping

LoLo or Lift on/Lift off shipping method utilizes a crane to lift the heavy equipment on and off the vessel. It is a simple and efficient shipping method that can handle large-capacity containers. However, it may require specialized staff or equipment on-site, which could introduce additional costs.

Container shipping

Container shipping is a common method for heavy equipment shipping, offering an easy loading and offloading process that is also cost-effective. However, this might only be the case if your equipment can fit inside a standard shipping container. Otherwise, you will require a non-standard solution, which will also introduce extra expenses.

Flat rack method

A flat rack is a type of container used for large and oversized cargo shipments that cannot fit into standard containers. It only has walls on the ends, allowing the heavy equipment to be loaded either from the sides or the top, providing more flexibility in handling.

What information will you need to provide?

Heavy equipment shipping companies do a lot of careful planning to ensure a safe and timely shipment. To help them, you will need to provide all necessary information as early and accurately as possible.

This may include:

• The equipment’s model and make;
• Precise weight and dimensions;
• A list of exact modifications it has gone through (if any);
• Points of disassembly, where possible;
• Photos of the equipment from all angles;
• Any other handling requirements or specific packaging needs;

The more detailed the information is, the more effectively your freight transport company will be able to plan for your shipment and provide you with a more accurate estimate of costs.

What are the key requirements for transporting heavy equipment?

To avoid unforeseen costs or delays, it’s crucial to comply with all necessary requirements and regulations. Prepare all needed documentation well in advance, including country-specific permits, commercial documents, customs declarations, import/export licences, and any other applicable paperwork.

Besides the documentation, you are also required to prepare your heavy equipment adequately for transportation.

For example, you must ensure that:

• There are adequate lashing points to secure the equipment;
• The fluids are drained to a specified level;
• There are no personal or loose items inside;
• The equipment complies with the provided biosecurity standards;
• If it’s a running machinery, the steering, brakes and transmission must be working correctly, and the tires inflated sufficiently;

Vehicles are not allowed to contain:

1. loose parts inside
2. personal items, household goods or waste
3. loose/additional batteries of any kind
4. pyrotechnics
5. portable fuel tanks
6. medical supplies
7. broken windows blocking the view or sharp edges
8. damaged or defective batteries
9. leaking fluids

These requirements will vary depending on the type of equipment you are shipping (i.e. fuelled or electric, running or non-running), so always refer to the cargo acceptance requirements provided by your carrier.

What factors can influence the costs of shipping?

Numerous different factors can influence how much it will cost you to ship your heavy equipment.

The most obvious is, of course, the destination country – the further the distance, the higher typically the shipment costs. Not just that, some countries have higher customs fees or tariffs than others.

The size and weight of your equipment, otherwise known as the density, is another important factor, as it will impact the loading and shipment methods used. Oversized and overweight shipments may require specialized handling equipment. They may also need special permits, which cost to acquire. If your shipment is of high-priority and needs to be delivered quickly, you will likely be paying a premium too.

Lastly, the level of insurance coverage needed for your heavy equipment will affect the overall costs. This type of cargo is typically high-value, so insuring it for overseas shipment is a considerable expense.

Let us handle your shipment…

Shipping heavy equipment internationally is a complex process that requires a lot of knowledge and expertise. Höegh Autoliners have years of industry experience and a global team of experts, specializing in large and heavy cargo shipments. Our RoRo vessels are designed to accommodate heavy equipment, ensuring secure and efficient handling and transportation.

To get a quote for your shipment, fill in this inquiry form, and we will get back to you as soon as possible!