Project cargo. It sounds like the latest celebrity game show to hit our television screens, doesn’t it?
In reality, this shipping term refers to the specialist transportation of cargo that is high-value, very large, heavy or complicated. It’s a category within the shipping industry that requires extensive planning and attention to detail to execute efficiently.
Let’s learn more about it.
More About Project Cargo
Project cargo shipments deal with goods that need special attention.
The goods might be oversized or extremely heavy, and therefore unable to travel in a standard container. Or, the shipment might need to be loaded with extreme care or include parts of machinery or equipment involved in an important project…
Think aerospace, manufacturing, marine, science, military, and the energy sector. Items from these industries could include turbines, satellites and yachts. Even oil rig parts.
The size and nature of these pieces of machinery and equipment make it impossible to ship them conventionally, so a huge team effort is required to get them to their destination – especially as some cargo is in parts that cannot get separated.
Project cargo shipments are also often shipped within tight timescale constraints.
What’s The Process For Project Cargo?
You might wonder how different the process is for arranging project cargo shipments. We’re still talking about goods travelling from A to B, right?
In reality, it’s a little – or a lot – more complicated than that.
Planning Is Critical
Depending on the goods themselves and the distance they’ll be travelling, there may be a need for specialist equipment and personnel at various locations throughout the journey. We’re talking combinations of cranes, barges, trains, planes, ships and trucks.
The only way that a project cargo shipment can be arranged and managed within its specified time frame, safely and without any problems is if every stage is meticulously planned and high levels of communication are maintained throughout. Working this way from the beginning also directly reduces extra costs when it comes to transport, duties and taxes later down the line.
So, the earlier you partner with a freight forwarder, the easier it is to make those plans.
Transporting
When it’s time to transport the cargo, appointing a designated project manager to oversee the journey – with extensive experience in the complexities of project cargo shipments – is advisable.
As we know already, different countries have different rules and regulations for goods arriving at or passing through their borders. Planning for project cargo shipments is confusing as it is, and navigating these international expectations can be wholly overwhelming if you’re inexperienced.
Competent freight forwarders can support you through a project; from planning and coordination to customs clearance and even arranging road surveys and police escort services if required.
What Considerations Should Be Made?
Shipping project cargo can present complicated and challenging scenarios. Let’s explore the sort of things you need to think about when planning the job.
Domestic And International Regulations
Extensive pre-planning for the whole journey means that the rules and regs of other countries can be prepared for well in advance. This reduces potential delays at borders, keeps the shipment costs within budget, maintains a safe environment for any high-risk goods and streamlines the whole process.
Timescales
Early project planning, and allowing sufficient lead times when coordinating the various stages of the journey, ensures that project cargo shipments are delivered well within their required timescales.
Modes Of Transport
Depending on what your shipping, you might need to arrange for a variety of modes of transport to get your project cargo across the country – or around the world.
Limitations Of The Load
Most project cargo shipments are large or heavy, which can pose a problem for many roads, bridges and tunnels worldwide. Height, weight and width restrictions of possible routes can get in the way of a shipment getting to where it needs to be.
Safety Requirements
Many project cargo shipments require special attention during loading and unloading as well as throughout the journey, with extra care being needed when securing the loads to their mode of transport. Proper rigging and retightening will be required on the ocean, for example, to ensure project cargo remains safe and secure until it reaches its destination.
Specialist Equipment And Personnel
Because project cargo tends to be high-value, very large, heavy or complicated to ship, it usually requires special equipment and intensively trained and experienced workers to load, unload and process. This could involve cranes and forklifts, among other lifting equipment and machinery, as well as potential storage arrangements… And all of this adds up.
What Are The Costs Of Project Cargo?
It should be no surprise that project cargo is costly, and that’s because there’s so much to it. The level of detail and planning required to ship project cargo far outweighs that of a standard shipment.
Whilst it’s important to control the costs and work to budget, all efforts should go to not letting costs control the project itself.
We strongly recommend working with a reputable project cargo company with a proven track record with shipments in your industry. Though it’s tempting to try and save money sourcing equipment and managing each stage yourself, it’s best to hand it over to someone with more experience. Every stage relies on successful completion to keep things on time and within budget.
Project Cargo Expertise
Some things are best left to the pros, and getting a wind turbine blade from one continent to another is probably one of them.
A professional project cargo company can…
- Plan effectively to avoid unnecessary paperwork and costs
- Ascertain exactly what documents you’ll need to enter or travel through each country
- Organise equipment and machinery rental on your behalf, as well as storage if necessary
- Implement the plan and use a hands-on approach to see the job through to completion
- Work with and oversee engineers and other personnel involved, making sure everyone knows what is expected
- Have a robust contingency plan should things go wrong.
Project Cargo Requires Robust, Professional Planning
Shipping project cargo is complicated, and the details vary from consignment to consignment – the only thing that remains the same is the need for a professional who can get what you need to where it needs to be…
Are you struggling to work through the hundreds of aspects of your project cargo shipment? Take the stress off and contact Millennium today for expert help with no obligation.