Oversized cargo exceeds a vehicle's standard dimensions or weight limits and requires special handling. Examples include construction machinery, large industrial equipment, long pipes and other items that do not fit standard containers or trucks.

Large cargo can exceed normal dimensions and weight:
Dimensions: more than 20 metres long, 2.55 metres wide or 4 metres high.
Weight: over 38 tonnes.

Internationally, this is known as “oversize cargo”. Moving it requires specialist knowledge, responsibility from everyone involved, a tailored approach and careful preparation. It is complex work requiring professional handling and compliance with all relevant regulations.


Key steps in planning

oversized cargo transport

Initial route analysis

  • Choose the best route considering dimension and weight restrictions
  • Assess obstacles, including bridges and tunnels

Obtain transport permits

  • Secure special permits from the authorities
  • Coordinate with road services and law enforcement

Use specialised transport

Use low-loaders, extendable trailers and modular transport systems

Route escort

  • Provide safety using specially equipped escort vehicles
  • Assist with navigation and compliance with traffic rules

Cargo securing

  • Use professional securing systems to fasten cargo to platforms
  • Prevent movement and damage during transport

Process control and monitoring

  • Continuously monitor cargo and vehicle condition in transit
  • Respond promptly to problems
Start planning by establishing exact cargo dimensions and weight. These determine the suitable transport and route, helping avoid problems.

Transport modes for

oversized cargo

Road

Suitable for short distances, using low-loaders, telescopic trailers, modular platforms and truck-and-trailer combinations.

Rail

Suitable for heavy and large loads over long distances. High capacity and stable transport are supported by specialised rail platforms and wagons.

Sea

Suitable for international transport and large volumes, using container ships, roll-on/roll-off vessels and barges.

Air

Rarely used, except for urgent, high-value cargo transported by cargo aircraft or helicopters.

The size and weight of oversized loads require integrated planning of loading and unloading with specialised equipment.


Common equipment
for loading oversized cargo

  • Mobile crane hire from 16 to 1,000 tonnes, for lifting and manoeuvring heavy items.
  • Gantry cranes move particularly large equipment outdoors and inside workshops.
  • Portal cranes serve ships at seaports, loading and unloading bulky cargo.
  • Overhead cranes are well suited to indoor industrial handling of heavy structures.
  • Forklifts and front loaders are designed for short movements within warehouses.
  • Hydraulic lifts provide vertical lifting in confined spaces.
  • Roll trailers are suited to moving exceptionally heavy objects horizontally over longer distances.

Suitable equipment supports productivity and safety at every stage. Oversized cargo speeds are strictly regulated: 60 km/h on ordinary roads and 25 km/h near bridges or overpasses, requiring careful compliance.

Oversized transport often challenges logistics specialists. In Russia in 2013, the world's largest gold ore processing mill was transported and installed. The load included 58 oversized components and nine exceptionally large pieces, each weighing 98 tonnes. Power lines had to be temporarily removed and fibre-optic cables raised to pass through Magadan.

New City handles oversized freight. Contact us with non-standard requirements, and our managers will select suitable transport and a route.

Our projects

We delivered
a factory from China

We brought a polymer pipe production plant to Russia. It commissioned a line producing single-seam pipes for trunk gas pipelines.

Shipment volume — fifty 40-foot containers.

We brought oversized
cargo from the Netherlands

Oversized freight requires particular care.
With a professional team, the potato chip production components arrived exactly on schedule and without extra costs.

We helped build theM-12 Vostok highway

The 810 km highway required extensive large construction machinery, which we delivered from Türkiye and China.

Shipment volume —
100 units of machinery