When cargo becomes a project
The moment a unit exceeds roughly 2.35 m wide, 2.35 m high inside a box or 12 m long, it is out of gauge and priced on the deck slots it blocks as well as its own footprint. Excavators, transformers, drilling modules, prefabricated buildings, tanks, steel structures and complete production lines all move on that basis.
Pricing guide
Project & Heavy Lift Pricing Guide
Breakbulk, out-of-gauge and abnormal load movements from the UK
| Flat rack shipment20ft or 40ft flat rack | from £2,400 |
| Open top containerTop-loaded cargo | from £2,250 |
| Breakbulk per freight tonne1,000 kg or 1 m³, whichever is greater | from £190 |
| Heavy lift over 40 tonnesCrane and vessel survey required | on application |
| Abnormal load UK haulageEscorts and permits extra | from £850 |
| Crating and steel cradles | from £420 |
| Marine survey & lashing plan | from £550 |
Indicative rates only, excluding VAT where applicable. Final pricing depends on dimensions, weight, sailing schedule and destination charges.
Equipment we use
Flat racks with collapsible ends carry machinery up to around 40 tonnes, chained and timber-packed to an approved lashing plan. Open tops suit overheight cargo craned in from above and sheeted. Beyond that we book conventional breakbulk on multipurpose tonnage, charged per freight tonne, or load static plant onto mafi trailers for RoRo where the vessel has the ramp capacity.
The UK leg is often the hard part
Abnormal loads need route surveys, movement orders, escorts and sometimes police notification, and the berth must have both crane capacity and laydown area. We handle the survey, the haulage, the port booking and the method statement together, and will tell you early where a different loading berth saves days or thousands of pounds.
How a project shipment is delivered
Quote & booking
Rates, sailing or flight options confirmed in writing.
UK collection
Nationwide collection or delivery into our Tilbury depot.
Loading & packing
Lashing, crating, palletising and photographic record.
Customs & export
Export entry, NES clearance and documentation released.
Transit & delivery
Tracking updates until the cargo lands with your consignee.
Project cargo we move
Surveyed, lift-planned and lashed to a carrier-approved stowage plan.
- Excavators, dozers, cranes and quarry plant
- Transformers, generators and switchgear
- Prefabricated buildings and modular units
- Agricultural combines, sprayers and balers
- Drilling equipment and oilfield modules
- Boats, yachts and marine engines
- Steel structures, tanks and pressure vessels
- Complete factory and production line relocations
What we need to quote
- Dimensions and weight of every piece
- Centre of gravity and designated lifting points
- Collection postcode and site access restrictions
- Destination port and final delivery address
- Whether the unit rolls, is static, or must be craned