Transporting super heavy and oversized industrial equipment from China to East Africa requires more than simply finding available vessel space. The cargo dimensions, weight, port handling capabilities, sailing schedule, and loading method must all be carefully considered before a transportation solution can be finalized.
Recently, our company successfully arranged the transportation of a large industrial dryer from China to Mombasa, Kenya. The cargo measured 14,200 mm in length, 4,340 mm in width, and 4,935 mm in height, with a total weight of 94 metric tons. Due to its exceptional dimensions and weight, this shipment presented significant challenges for conventional containerized transportation.
For cargo of this size and weight, our first-choice solution would normally be a heavy-lift vessel, particularly an MPP (Multi-Purpose Project) breakbulk vessel. MPP vessels are specifically designed to handle project cargo and heavy equipment, and their onboard cranes typically have lifting capacities in the range of 150–200 tons, making them well suited for machinery weighing 94 tons.
However, vessel availability and sailing schedules do not always match the customer's required delivery timeline. Waiting for a suitable heavy-lift vessel could result in an unnecessarily long lead time. Therefore, for this shipment, we explored an alternative transportation solution that could provide both sufficient cargo capacity and a more suitable sailing schedule.
After detailed discussions with Grimaldi, we selected a RORO (Roll-on/Roll-off) transportation solution using a MAFI trailer.
The MAFI method is particularly effective for oversized and heavy equipment. Instead of lifting the cargo directly into the vessel's cargo hold, the dryer is first carefully lifted onto a specially prepared MAFI platform, where it is positioned and secured using appropriate lashing and securing procedures. Once the cargo has been safely secured, the MAFI unit is towed directly into the vessel's cargo deck by terminal equipment. After positioning, additional securing and lashing work is carried out inside the vessel to ensure the cargo remains stable throughout the ocean voyage.
Compared with conventional container transportation, this method provides considerably greater flexibility for extremely large machinery. It also avoids some of the dimensional limitations associated with standard containers, while allowing the cargo to be handled efficiently through the RORO vessel's ramp system.
For our team, selecting the transportation mode is not simply a matter of comparing freight rates. Cargo dimensions, weight, vessel capabilities, sailing schedules, port infrastructure, loading procedures, and securing requirements must all be evaluated together.
This project once again demonstrates our experience in handling oversized, heavy
and project cargo. Whether the optimal solution is an MPP heavy-lift vessel, RORO transportation with MAFI equipment, or another specialized shipping method, our objective is to identify the safest, most efficient, and most practical transportation solution for every project.
For large equipment moving from China to Africa and other international destinations, professional planning and operational experience can make the difference between a difficult shipment and a successful one.
Post time: Aug-28-2026