Our company recently executed a highly specialized break bulk shipment involving the transport of a 15.98-meter yacht from Shanghai, China to Malé, Maldives. The yacht measured 15.98 meters in length, 3.42 meters in width, 3.68 meters in height, and had a total weight of 15 tons. Although the weight was relatively moderate for break bulk operations, the dimensional profile, structural sensitivity, and the destination port presented multiple layers of complexity that required a carefully engineered logistics solution.
Comprehensive Cargo Assessment and Transport Strategy
At the beginning of the project, our technical team conducted a detailed assessment of the vessel’s design characteristics, lifting points, center of gravity, and hull sensitivity. Based on these evaluations, we determined that break bulk transportation would be the safest and most controlled method. Containerization or alternative solutions were ruled out due to dimensional constraints and structural risks.
The yacht was fully covered using heat-shrink protective film, which shielded the exterior surface from UV exposure, humidity, and saltwater corrosion during handling and sea transport. Despite the protective packaging, the customer required cargo under deck stowage to ensure enhanced protection and stability throughout the voyage. After negotiating with the carrier, we secured the appropriate hold space and designed a tailored lashing plan to comply with both vessel and port safety standards.
Custom Boat Cradle Arrangement for Hull Protection
One of the most critical challenges arose from the customer’s requirement that the bottom of the yacht must not come into direct contact with concrete or any abrasive ground surface. To address this, our engineering team designed and arranged a customized boat cradle capable of distributing the yacht’s weight evenly across specified structural support areas. This cradle prevented point-loading stress on the hull and ensured that the yacht remained perfectly stable throughout all stages—pre-loading, lifting, stowage, and discharging.
The cradle also facilitated safer crane operations by maintaining precise alignment between lifting slings, yacht geometry, and the ship’s cargo hold requirements. Every step was meticulously coordinated with terminal operators to reduce risks during ground handling and loading.
Securing a Rare Vessel Schedule to Malé
Another major challenge in this project was the destination itself. Malé is considered an out-of-route, low-frequency port for break bulk carriers. Very few vessels make direct calls due to limited cargo volume and routing inefficiencies. Finding a suitable vessel that matched the customer’s timeline required extensive coordination with global carriers, chartering brokers, and regional agents.
Our team conducted a multi-week search, evaluating vessel size, lifting capability, stowage flexibility, transit time, and schedule reliability. Eventually, we secured a break bulk sailing that aligned perfectly with the project’s timing and stowage needs, ensuring both operational feasibility and commercial efficiency.
Safe Delivery and Customer Recognition
The loading operation was completed smoothly in Shanghai under strict supervision by our project team. Once the yacht was secured in the vessel’s cargo hold, all lashing and bracing were double-checked against the approved securing plan. The voyage proceeded without incident, and upon arrival in Malé, the discharge operation was executed safely using coordinated lifting procedures and the same custom cradle system.
The yacht arrived in excellent condition, on schedule, and fully compliant with all customer requirements. The customer expressed high appreciation for our professionalism, detailed planning, and our ability to secure a rare breakbulk sailing to such a niche destination. This project demonstrated our strong capabilities in delivering complex, oversized, and sensitive breakbulk cargo to remote markets where logistics challenges are significantly greater.
Through this shipment, we once again proved that our expertise extends beyond standard freight forwarding—we provide engineering-driven, solution-oriented logistics services tailored to each client’s operational needs.
Post time: Dec-09-2025