Project Background
Our client faced the challenge of Project Cargo Movement an oversized cement mill from Shanghai, China to Poti, Georgia. The cargo was both massive in scale and heavy in weight, with specifications measuring 16,130mm in length, 3,790mm in width, 3,890mm in height, and a total weight of 81,837 kilograms. Such cargo presented not only logistical complexity but also operational challenges in ensuring safe and reliable transportation.
Challenges
The key difficulty lay in the nature of the equipment itself. A cement mill of this size and weight could not be accommodated within standard shipping containers. While mulit-40FRs with special arrangements were initially considered, this option was quickly ruled out. Poti Port operates primarily as a indirect route from China, and the handling of containerized oversized cargo would have presented significant operational risks and inefficiencies. Safety concerns related to lifting, securing, and transferring cargo in such circumstances made the containerized solution impractical.
Thus, the project demanded a more specialized and reliable logistics approach that could balance safety, cost, and operational feasibility while meeting the client’s tight schedule.
Our Solution
Drawing on our extensive expertise in project and breakbulk cargo logistics, our team proposed a break bulk shipping solution as the most effective strategy. This approach avoided the complications of containerized transport and provided greater flexibility in loading, securing, and unloading the heavy equipment.
We carefully designed a stowage and load-plan tailored to the cement mill’s dimensions and weight distribution. This plan ensured the cargo would be safely positioned on board the vessel, with adequate structural support and lashing arrangements to withstand both sea conditions and handling operations. Our solution also minimized risks at the transshipment stage, allowing the cement mill to be delivered directly and efficiently to Poti Port without unnecessary intermediate handling.
Execution Process
Once the cement mill arrived at Shanghai Port, our project management team initiated full-scope supervision of the entire process. This included:
1. On-site inspection: Our specialists conducted a thorough inspection of the cargo at the port to confirm condition, verify dimensions and weight, and ensure readiness for lifting.
2. Coordination with terminal operators: We held multiple rounds of discussions with port and stevedoring teams, focusing particularly on the safe lifting procedures required for the 81-ton cargo. Special lifting gear, rigging methods, and crane capacity were reviewed and validated to guarantee operational safety.
3. Real-time tracking: Throughout the pre-loading, loading, and sailing phases, we closely monitored the shipment to ensure full compliance with safety standards and to keep the client updated at every stage.
By combining precise planning with on-site execution and communication, we ensured that the cement mill was loaded securely, shipped on schedule, and handled smoothly throughout its journey.
Results & Highlights
The project was completed successfully, with the cement mill arriving at Poti Port safely and on time. The success of this shipment highlighted several strengths of our service:
1. Technical expertise in oversized cargo: By rejecting the containerized solution and opting for break bulk shipping, we demonstrated our ability to choose the safest and most practical transport strategy.
2. Meticulous planning and execution: From stowage design to on-site lifting supervision, every detail was managed with precision.
3. Strong coordination with stakeholders: Effective communication with port operators and stevedores ensured safe and efficient operations at the terminal.
4. Proven reliability in project logistics: The successful completion of this project once again reinforced our leading position in the heavy-lift and breakbulk logistics sector.
Client Feedback
The client expressed high satisfaction with both the process and the outcome. They appreciated our proactive approach in ruling out unsuitable transport options, our detailed planning, and our hands-on execution throughout the project. The positive feedback we received serves as further recognition of our professionalism, reliability, and value as a trusted partner in international heavy-lift logistics.
Conclusion
This project serves as a strong case study of our capability to handle oversized and heavy equipment transportation with efficiency and care. By tailoring the logistics solution to the unique characteristics of the cement mill, we not only overcame the challenges of weight, size, and port operations but also delivered results that exceeded the client’s expectations.
Our continued success in projects of this scale reaffirms our position as a market leader in break bulk and BB Cargo logistics.
Post time: Sep-04-2025