In the global automotive industry, efficiency and precision are not limited to production lines—they extend to the supply chain that ensures large-scale& super heavy equipment and components reach their destination on time and in perfect condition. Our company recently accomplished the successful transportation of two oversized&overweight die-casting molds from Shanghai, China to Constanza, Romania. This case demonstrates not only our expertise in handling heavy-lift cargo, but also our ability to provide safe, reliable, and customized logistics solutions for industrial clients.
Cargo Profile
The shipment consisted of two die-casting molds destined for use in an automobile manufacturing plant. The molds, crucial to the production of high-precision automotive parts, were both oversized and exceptionally heavy:
- Mold 1: 4.8 meters long, 3.38 meters wide, 1.465 meters high, weighing 50 tons.
- Mold 2: 5.44 meters long, 3.65 meters wide, 2.065 meters high, weighing 80 tons.
While the overall dimensions posed a certain level of challenge, the defining difficulty lay in the extraordinary weight of the cargo. At a combined 130 tons, ensuring the molds could be safely handled, lifted, and stowed required careful planning and execution.
Logistical Challenges
Unlike some oversized cargo projects where unusual length or height creates constraints, this case was primarily a test of weight management. Conventional port cranes were not capable of lifting such heavy pieces. Moreover, given the high value of the molds and the need to avoid potential risks during transshipment, the cargo had to be shipped on a direct service to Constanza. Any intermediate handling—particularly repeated lifting at transshipment ports—would increase both risk and cost.
Thus, the challenges included:
1. Securing a direct shipping route from Shanghai to Constanza.
2. Ensuring the availability of a heavy-lift vessel equipped with its own cranes capable of handling 80-ton lifts.
3. Maintaining cargo integrity by transporting the molds as intact units rather than dismantling them.
Our Solution
Drawing on our experience in project logistics, we quickly determined that a heavy-lift break bulk vessel was the optimal solution. Such vessels are equipped with onboard cranes specifically designed for out-of-gauge and heavy cargo. This eliminated dependency on limited port crane capacity and guaranteed that both molds could be loaded and discharged safely.
We secured a direct sailing to Constanza, avoiding the risks associated with transshipment. This not only minimized the possibility of damage caused by multiple handling, but also reduced transit time, ensuring the customer’s production timeline would not be disrupted.
Our operations team worked closely with the port authorities, vessel operators, and on-site stevedores to design a lifting and stowage plan tailored to the molds’ unique dimensions and weight. The lifting operation used tandem cranes on board the vessel, ensuring stability and safety throughout the process. Additional securing and lashing measures were applied during stowage to protect the molds against potential movement during the voyage.
Execution and Results
Loading was executed smoothly at Shanghai port, with the heavy-lift ship’s cranes efficiently handling both pieces. The cargo was securely stowed in the vessel’s designated heavy-lift hold, with reinforced dunnage and customized lashing to ensure safe sea passage.
After an uneventful voyage, the shipment arrived in Constanza exactly as scheduled. Discharge operations were carried out successfully using the vessel’s cranes, bypassing the limitations of the local port cranes. Both molds were delivered in perfect condition, without any damage or delay.
Customer Impact
The client expressed high satisfaction with the outcome, highlighting the professional planning and risk mitigation measures that ensured their valuable equipment was delivered on time and intact. By providing a direct heavy-lift shipping solution, we not only secured the safety of the cargo but also optimized efficiency, giving the client confidence in future large-scale shipments.
Conclusion
This case once again underscores our company’s ability to manage complex project cargo logistics. Whether the challenge lies in extraordinary weight, oversized dimensions, or tight deadlines, we deliver solutions that prioritize safety, efficiency, and customer satisfaction.
Through this successful project, we have strengthened our reputation as a trusted partner in the field of heavy-lift and oversized cargo transportation—helping global industries move forward, one shipment at a time.
Post time: Sep-18-2025