Heavy haul is generally classified as cargo that exceeds a:

• Width: 8.6 ft
• Height : 13.6 ft
• Length: 48-53 ft
• Gross weight: 80,000 lbs

In the United States: The federal government requires each state to set its own regulations for oversize and overweight shipments

Oversize loads also have weight limits based on a per-axle basis. Federal law limits the total weight that can be carried on any axle. Those weight limitations are:

• Steer axle: 12,000 lbs
• Single axle: 20,000 lbs
• Drive axle: 34,000 lbs
• Tandem axle: 34,000 lbs

If your cargo exceeds these weight restrictions, it may require equipment with additional axles.

Heavy haul freight requires appropriate documentation and permits before travel. Typically, permits are issued on a per-shipment basis, and while regulations vary, some shipments may require city, county or municipality-specific permits. Most states issue permits that outline the amount of time the oversized freight can travel (usually 3-5 days) and details about the operating hours. Some commodities may require their own designated permit, as well.

Any vehicle transporting oversized goods is required by federal law to be marked by special signage or have specific travel accommodations. Here’s an example of what may be required:

• ‘Oversized Load’ banners: Yellow ‘oversized load banners’ may be placed on the front and rear of any vehicle carrying or traveling with the shipment. Most signs are reversible with “wide load” on one side and “oversized load” on the other.
• Safety flags: Fluorescent orange or red flags may be placed at the outermost corners of the vehicle.
• Lights: Some states require vehicles to be equipped with rotating yellow LED lights.
• Pilot cars: Escort vehicles or ‘pilot cars’ are required to accompany wide loads in some states. Some instances require a shipment to travel with more than one pilot car or to have a police escort.

It is important to take every precaution possible before shipping to keep your oversized equipment as safe as possible. The typical requirements that are expected from you are:

• Check if equipment is ship-worthy
• Remove any batteries.
• Empty all fluids such as gas or water.
• Cover any part of the item that you don’t want to be exposed to the outside world or weather.
• Remove all loose pieces
• Refer to your original owner’s manual and look up packaging and moving requirements for how your equipment should be precisely secured and packed.
• Tighten up any loose parts.
• Know how much your item weighs, and its outside measurements L X W x H. It is an excellent idea to re-measure it.
• Clearly mark lifting points, lashing points, and center of gravity
• Item documentation.

The shipper’s insurance covers your shipment for replacement value. However, it is recommended to always purchase additional insurance to be on the safe side. We can help with that.

Heavy breakbulk cargo is cargo weighting more than 100 tons such as generators, turbines and presses.

Shipment must meet the stringent compliance requirements of the International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code, and we will only ship products classified as hazardous cargo when these products are part of or accompanying a larger piece of equipment. High and Heavy products such as excavators, forklifts etc., or any other product with a combustion engine are NOT regarded as a hazardous cargo when loaded on Ro/Ro(Roll-on/Roll-off) vessels.

Our Mark V RoRo vessels, one of the largest in the industry is designed to support larger and heavier cargo, which can accommodate a wide variety of bulky, heavy cargo with up to 7.1 meters in height and 12 meters wide, and a ramp capacity of up to 500 tons.