Shipping heavy/oversized freight is considered a challenging task in the logistics industry because of several complexities associated with it. It doesn’t work like the transportation of traditional-sized/weight freight that is easy and simple to move. As a shipper, you have to overcome and mitigate several challenges to ensure seamless delivery of your over-dimensional freight. This article comprehensively discusses challenges while shipping heavy/oversized cargo and solutions for them. However, before that, it’s important to know what type of freight is classified as heavy/oversized.
What is heavy/oversized freight?
Heavy/oversized freight (also known as dimensional freight) is a shipment or collection of shipments that exceeds standard dimensions of weight and size implemented by the authorities. In general practice, any cargo that exceeds the following dimensions falls in the category of heavy/oversized cargo:
- Width of more than 8.5 feet
- Length of more than 53 feet
- Height above 13.5 feet
- Weight above 80,000 pounds
These dimensions may vary from state to state in the country. Over dimensional freight often requires special transportation equipment, such as flatbed, flat rack, or gooseneck trailers.
Complexities associated with shipping over-dimensional freight
Challenging route planning
Over dimensional freight cannot be transported via traditional routes due to its size. Therefore, shippers need to plan their routes carefully, using modern data analytics and route planning tools. While planning, you must also consider the weight limits and bridge frequency of the route you’re choosing and ensure it accommodates your shipping needs.
Traffic challenges
Moving over dimensional loads via urban routes can create several traffic challenges. When an oversized shipment is on the road, the risk of temporary traffic congestion or even closure cannot be neglected.
Loading/unloading difficulties
Oversized/ heavy freight can be extremely challenging to load or unload. Special equipment, such as forklifts, may be required for these operations. Loading or unloading over dimensional freight also requires utmost care and special expertise.
Strict regulations and legal complications
Transporting over-dimensional loads requires meeting a broad set of strict regulations and legal requirements. For example, you need to obtain a special license from state transportation authorities to move an oversized/overweight load. This special license obliges to meet a variety of legal requirements, such as:
- Specified transportation times
- Use of Escorted vehicles
- Signage
Under the guidelines mentioned in the license, you can transport your cargo only within the allowed time window (which is mostly around midnight). Also, the vehicle carrying freight should be accompanied by an escort vehicle to inform drivers to stay cautious as an over dimensional load is passing by.
It’s important to keep in mind that regulatory requirements may vary from state to state. You must also remember that if you’re moving an oversized/heavy load interstate, you have to get a license from both states (origin and destination state).
Handling issues
Over-dimensional loads are difficult to handle. Therefore, they require the services of knowledgeable experts with vast experience in oversized/overweight shipping. Only experienced operators can ensure your freight is delivered on time and safely.
High shipping costs
As mentioned earlier, transporting over dimensional freight requires careful route planning, legal licensing, and special handling equipment, elevating the overall shipping costs. Vehicles carrying oversized/overweight freight consume a substantially high amount of fuel, too, further increasing the shipping rates. Toll taxes and escort vehicle services are other significant contributing factors to high shipping costs.
Safety challenges
Shipping oversized/overweight freight can pose significant safety risks to other people on the road. For example, if the vehicle carrying the freight is mishandled, it may impact the vehicles around it, raising the risk of physical injuries and equipment damage. Over dimensional cargo, when uncontrolled, can harm the infrastructure around it. Even a slight mistake from the driver can jeopardize the safety of surrounding drivers and passengers.
Coordination challenge
As transporting oversized/overweight freight involves multiple stakeholders, ensuring coordination among them can be a challenging task.
The solution to these complexities
These complications and challenges can be mitigated by partnering with a specialized, experienced, over dimensional 3PL provider, like VPL Logistics. This partnership can relieve you from all worries associated with the transportation of your freight, whether it’s licensing, arranging escort vehicles, meeting regulations, or using special equipment.
VPL Logistics uses cutting-edge transportation technologies to transport oversized/overweight loads. We use modern GPS systems, route planning software, freight monitoring technologies, and highly upgraded equipment to get the work done for you.
