In the transport industry, it happens that there is a need to transport unusual cargo, which significantly exceeds in size the goods transported on a daily basis. Such an action requires the matching of an appropriate means of transport, as well as specialized organization of the entire carriage. Only then is it possible to deliver a specific product to its destination safely both for the goods and other traffic participants. The transportation of oversized items is referred to as oversize transport. Check out what you should know about this topic.
What is oversize transport?
Oversize transport is a type of specialized transport of non-standard large loads, which, due to its specificity, requires appropriate adaptation of the means of transport, security and other accessories to carry out the transport. Such transport is always carried out in close and regular cooperation with carriers, and forwarders at basically every stage. This allows for the safe delivery of cargo and the timely completion of the assigned task.
Typically, oversize transport involves heavy loads of unusual shapes, unusually high weight or non-standard dimensions. Oversize transport requires special care at almost every stage of the implementation of the transport, as well as appropriate safeguards for the transported cargo.
What loads are covered by oversize transport?
According to the applicable law, more precisely, the Road Traffic Law of 2011, oversize transport is intended for loads that exceed established standards. Thus, oversize transport classifies loads that are more than 2.5 meters in length, 16.5 meters in width and more than 4 meters in height.
Oversize transport also includes the carriage of goods whose weight is greater than that specified in the legal standards, even if the dimensions do not exceed the values typical of standard transport. Oversize transport will therefore include goods that weigh more than 42 tons.
Organization of oversize transport
When transporting goods in oversize transport by road, it is necessary not only to use the appropriate means of transport and proper load securing, but also to carefully plan the route of travel to take into account all possible restrictions on both the height of the vehicle and the permissible total weight of the transport.
If the shipment does not fit into a container, it is necessary to transport oversized cargo by sea transport. Then special containers with sliding walls, opening roofs or platforms are used for this purpose. Most often, this type of transport involves such items as parts of larger machinery, parts of oil rigs, windmill turbines, house modules or large specialized vehicles.
In special cases, it is also possible to take advantage of air transportation through the use of a cargo plane, which is adapted for oversized products.