Services

Off-gauge and heavy load cargo transportation

Each type of transport has its own standards, applicable to the cargo transportation, the breach of which may lead to the damage of the cargo or the rolling stock. Off-gauge cargo is the oversize item, which is impossible to be transported in the closed vehicle, i.e. using standard kinds of the transportation, because of its dimension, weight or specific features. There are minimal and maximal limitations, set according to conditions for safety of the transportation of different cargoes using each type of transport and for each state, if the transportation is carried out in the territory of several countries. It should be noted that the term «cargo» is used with the reference to the appropriate vehicle, i.e. the cargo dimensions and weight should be determined by parameters «cargo+vehicle» or the concept «transported cargo».

The off-gauge cargo transportation is the specific and richly demanded service, which is provided mainly using motorways and railway, because of off-standard dimensions and heaviness of the cargo, with the help of lowboys, allowing the quick loading and unloading of equipment and the provision of a secure attachment. However, the off-gauge cargo can be delivered via sea and air transport. Off-standard and off-gauge cargoes include, for example, outsized vessels, turbines, steam boilers, complicated metal structures, plant equipment, construction and road machinery, tower cranes and etc., which have the specific shape, weight and dimensions and require individual calculations at the loading and transportation.

The off-gauge cargo transportation is also accompanied by the execution of multiple documents and permits from authorized organizations of the destination country. Furthermore, in each case it requires the careful arrangement of the cargo movement route, and also the provision of its safety, arrangement of its escorting and professional performance of handling operations. All road features, the presence or absence of such obstacles as power lines, bridges and railroad crossings are considered when arranging the route. In addition, the time of day, season, weather and climate conditions, and also other factors, which may affect the transportation safety, are taken into consideration. Thus, the off-gauge cargo transportation is essentially unique, therefore transportation rates are calculated individually for each cargo.