Whether you are shipping machinery that is used or new internationally from the UK, you will need to consider some important points before beginning the process.
Firstly by selecting the kind of shipping container equipment that is most suitable for your cargo. If you can get the machinery in a standard or high cube 20’ or 40’ container then these are the most readily available pieces of equipment for shipping. However, if the nature of the machinery means that it isn’t possible to load through just one end of the container, then a flat rack or open top shipping container might be the most suitable. An open top is useful when the cargo is out of gauge in height, whereas a flat rack will cater for out of gauge in height and or width.
Other considerations when shipping machinery include relevant paperwork such as commercial invoice for export, UK export customs clearance, certificate of origin (if required by your buyer at destination), and most importantly any export controls or sanctions at destination. Most of these points will either be handled by your UK-based freight forwarder (such as Mercator) or can be advised as to processes to complete these.
The above images are of two mini diggers which Mercator’s export team arranged for shipping from the UK. We organised the loading, lashing, draining of fuel and battery disconnection to prepare for export from the UK. Our team also handled the delivery to the Port of Felixstowe, loading onto the sea freight vessel and export ocean freight.
In this particular example, the machinery was used, so the draining of the fuel tank and disconnection of the battery was required to be able to ship the flat rack container and contents as non hazardous. For some destination countries, used machinery such as this will be required to be cleaned, free from dirt and debris. This is an important point to consider, and something we will be able to clarify with our agent at the destination country upon your enquiry.
If you are looking for a service for shipping machinery from the UK, please get in touch with our team who are well versed in handling out of gauge and unusual loads. You can get in touch with our export team by calling (+44) 02392 756 575, emailing sales@mercatorcargo.co.uk or completing the form below and someone will be in touch.
Mercator was instructed to arrange the sea freight shipping of three mobile cranes from Southampton in the UK to Taiwan. The cargo was classed as oversized (also sometimes referred to as out of gauge cargo). Due to the dimensions, non-standard shipping containers were used. If oversized cargo shipping is not planned thoroughly then it can end up being very expensive. The three cranes were loaded onto two flat rack shipping containers and one open top container.
Two of the cranes fitted into the parameters of the flat rack shipping containers after some adjusting – including removing the wing mirrors. This small adjustment took a few minutes but saved thousands in shipping costs. If the crane were overhanging the sides of the shipping container (even if it was just a wing mirror) then the shipper would be liable to pay for all the spaces around the container on the ship which would be unusable. The other crane was driven into the open top container, it was such a tight squeeze that the driver had to climb out of the window as the door wouldn’t open.
We managed to get the cargo into three shipping spaces on the vessel, but if not done thoroughly then it could have been up to 6 or 7 spaces to pay for for each crane! Therefore, it’s really important if you are going to ship something that is oversized to ensure that you choose a reputable freight forwarder who will do everything that they can in order to keep the cargo within the gauge of the container. A good freight forwarder is worth their weight in gold.
To ensure that everything would go smoothly, our MD (Paul) took a trip to Southampton Port on the morning of the crane loading and strapping to ensure he was satisfied with the shipping plans. The lashing on the cargo is important to ensure that there is no movement (and therefore avoiding damage) during the shipping process. Each mobile crane weighed in at about 25 tonnes, therefore the lashing put in place would have been for up to 3 times the cargo weight.
Later that day, the cranes were transported to the dock side, loaded onto the shipping vessel and set sail for Taiwan.
If you have an unusual load that you need to ship internationally, then get in contact with Mercator’s shipping team. We have over 20 years’ of experience in international freight forwarding, and thanks to our founding membership of MarcoPoloLine (a worldwide network of independent, vetted freight agents in over 90 countries) we have contacts across the globe to ensure the safe onward transit of your shipping consignment.
10, St George’s Business Centre,
St Georges Square,
Portsmouth, PO1 3EZ, UK
Mercator is a family-run, UK based independent freight forwarder, offering highly effective sea, road and air freight services around the world.
