Project Logistics Experts: Delivering Success to the UK

Shipping International engineers supply chains for the heavy lift and construction sectors. Unlike standard container shipping, project logistics involves moving cargo that breaks the mould, items that are too heavy, wide, or tall for conventional transport. We act as the control tower for these movements, coordinating between vessel owners, heavy haulage operators, and port authorities to deliver your assets safely.

Our team manages the full lifecycle of the shipment. From the initial route survey in the Scottish Highlands to the final positioning of a transformer in a London substation, we control the risk and the schedule.

UK Port Operations and Heavy Lift Gateways

Selecting the right point of entry or exit is critical to reducing inland transport costs. We utilise specific UK ports equipped for heavy cargo operations.

• Immingham & Hull: The primary gateways for project cargo entering the North and Midlands. These ports offer deep-water berths and extensive storage for wind energy components and industrial plants.
• Southampton: Ideal for RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) and heavy machinery destined for the South of England.
• Liverpool: A key hub for transatlantic project cargo, serving the North West's manufacturing base.
• Felixstowe: While primarily a container port, it handles high volumes of Out-of-Gauge (OOG) flat racks on major liner services.

We oversee the stevedoring operations, ensuring that lifting plans are followed and that lashing is certified before the cargo leaves the quay.

Inland Heavy Haulage and ESDAL Compliance

Moving abnormal loads on UK roads requires strict regulatory compliance. The UK's road network is dense, with aged infrastructure that limits weight and height.

Route Planning and Surveys

We conduct physical route surveys to identify pinch points. We check bridge heights, axle weight limits, and turning radii. If street furniture (such as traffic lights or bollards) needs to be removed, we coordinate with the local council and police forces.

Permits and Escorts

We manage the ESDAL (Electronic Service Delivery for Abnormal Loads) process. This involves:

• Notifying police and bridge authorities for loads exceeding standard dimensions (typically over 2.9m wide or 44 tonnes gross weight).
• Arranging private escort vehicles (Pilot Cars) to warn other road users.
• Coordinating police escorts for "Category 3" loads that require road closures.

For more on our inland capabilities, visit our road freight services page.

Customs Clearance and Fiscal Representation

Post-Brexit regulations have changed how project cargo enters the UK. We ensure your documentation is compliant to prevent costly border delays.

Customs Declaration Service (CDS)

We submit complex import declarations via the CDS platform. For project cargo, this often involves claiming relief under Inward Processing (IP) if the equipment is for temporary use or repair, or utilising Returned Goods Relief (RGR) for UK machinery returning from overseas contracts.

Postponed VAT Accounting (PVA)

To aid your cash flow, we can apply Postponed VAT Accounting. This allows you to account for import VAT on your periodic return rather than paying it upfront at the port, a significant cash flow advantage for high-value capital equipment.

Learn more about our compliance support at our customs clearance page.

Sectors We Serve

Our expertise aligns with the UK's core industrial outputs.

• Renewable Energy: Transporting turbine blades, towers, and nacelles for onshore and offshore wind farms.
• Civil Engineering: Moving piling rigs, tunnel boring machines (TBMs), and cranes for major infrastructure projects (such as HS2).
• Power Generation: Delivering generators, transformers, and switchgear to power stations.
• Oil & Gas: Logistics for decommissioning projects and subsea equipment in the North Sea.

Risk Management: Protecting Capital Assets

Project cargo is often unique and difficult to replace. We mitigate financial and physical risk.

Method Statements and Lift Plans

We do not lift until we have a plan. We review the RAMS (Risk Assessment and Method Statement) for every crane operation. This ensures the ground bearing pressure is sufficient and the lifting gear is certified for the load.

Marine Cargo Insurance

Standard carrier liability (Hague-Visby or CMR) pays out by weight, not value. This is rarely sufficient for specialised machinery. We provide "All Risks" insurance that covers the equipment from the moment of dismantling to final installation, including intermediate storage.