Do you ever wonder how heavy machinery is moved around the globe? There are various options available depending on the requirements. It doesn’t matter if you are shipping a planer, an excavator, or a crane, our experienced staff know exactly what is required to transport your heavy machinery in the safest and most economical way possible. Over the last six years, Omnia Machinery has shipped to over 80 countries, overcoming a range of difficult obstacles.
Different Shipping Methods
Before shipping your goods, it’s important to know the different shipping methods in order to help you to choose the right one. We have listed a couple of options here that are among the more popular choices for leading shipping companies and ourselves at Omnia:
Container Shipping
The machinery is loaded into an enclosed container, similar to how most goods are shipped overseas. The containers are then loaded onto the deck of the ship and carried to their end destination, where they are unloaded with a crane.
Lift-On/Lift-Off
Often known as a LoLo, lift-on/lift-off requires using a crane to lift heavy equipment into and out of shipping conveyance. LoLo is one of the easiest heavy machinery shipping methods. However, as it involves a crane to lift your equipment, it can involve costs that can be avoided if your shipment can roll.
Road Transportation
When the destination can be reached via road haulage that is often the best option to take, as it can often be much cheaper and quicker depending on the end location. However, an important aspect to bear in mind is height restrictions and weight limits on certain roads. The route must be calculated before the beginning of the journey to give the quickest route and the most accurate transportation time. In specific European countries, permits may be required to transport larger machinery. So, make sure they are in hand before departure. Some routes may still require short sailings to keep the transit time as brief as possible.
Roll-on/Roll-off
If the heavy equipment you’re shipping is lucky enough to have wheels installed, you can use the roll-on/roll-off process. This is the simplest way to ship most large items. Trailers and other transport carriers must back up to the item and wheel it onboard. This method does need a ramp that is able to withstand the weight of whatever is to be shipped. The most substantial challenge encountered when using the roll-on/roll-off method is the inability to maximize space by stacking the machines.
Flat Rack
One of the most popular ways of shipping heavy machinery is flat rack shipping. The most suitable time to use this approach is when the machinery you are transporting is required to arrive in one piece. The machinery is mounted to the stackable container and shipped overseas. The main drawback with this method is your equipment will be exposed to the elements; therefore this needs extra precautions to avoid damages.
Omnia has an extensive network of forwarders and carriers that allow us to offer you a competitive price and a stress-free solution to your shipping needs. Having experience in shipping heavy plant equipment to numerous places around the globe, we can help with all of the above plus much more. When shipping your machinery, marine insurance is vital. Especially when being trans-shipped through a number of ports and vessels. Any damage can have big repercussions and your insurance will cover this for you should any incidents occur. There are a number of types of insurance and it is important to ensure you have the correct one, which Omnia can help you organise. Machinery shipping can become problematic when not managed properly. Everything from checking the machine has been properly cleaned, and keeping on top of haulage companies delivering on time, to discrepancies with weights and dimensions can cause you to miss shipments and potential deferment at the port. We can take complete control of the shipment from your site to the destination, giving you peace of mind that your machine is in capable hands. Omnia will ensure your machine is delivered from the yard to the port as quickly and promptly as possible whilst keeping you updated throughout the whole process. Get in touch with us today for a free quote!