Oversized and project cargo

Cargo is oversized when the vehicle carrying it exceeds the permitted width, height or length. Heavy cargo exceeds the permitted gross weight or axle load. Often it is the same item: a transformer, a machine bed or a column section is wide, tall and heavy at the same time.

In the EU, the general limits for international traffic are set by Directive 96/53/EC: width 2.55 m (2.60 m for conditioned bodies), height 4.00 m, articulated vehicle length 16.50 m, gross weight of a five- or six-axle articulated vehicle 40 t, and 44 t for a combination with a three-axle tractor carrying containers or swap bodies up to 45 ft in total in intermodal transport. Ukraine and every other country also apply their own rules, so the limits and the permit procedure are checked separately for each country on the route.

Exceeding the maximum dimensions is only allowed with a special permit, and in the EU such permits are issued for indivisible loads, meaning loads that cannot be split without undue expense or risk of damage. Before choosing equipment, it is therefore worth checking whether protruding parts can be removed, components dismantled or the equipment shipped in sections.

Equipment is chosen by dimensions, weight, centre of gravity and the length of the route. The main options:

On long routes, heavy cargo often travels by road only to the nearest port or rail station, and covers the main distance by sea, river or rail. The chain is harder to plan, but it needs fewer road permits and carries less risk on the road.

1. The customer sends drawings or photos with dimensions, weight, centre of gravity, lifting and lashing points, addresses and site conditions.
2. ETIKO analyses the cargo and the transport options: whether parts can be dismantled and which mode suits each leg.
3. Equipment is selected and a load plan is drawn up with the axle loads calculated.
4. The route is surveyed, on site where necessary.
5. ETIKO files the permit applications in the countries on the route and coordinates the escort.
6. The lifting operations are agreed: crane, rigging, lift plan and responsible persons on both sides.
7. The cargo is secured to the calculation, and after loading the dimensions are checked against the permit.
8. The trip follows the approved route and schedule; ETIKO coordinates border crossings and customs clearance.
9. On arrival, unloading and handover are coordinated and the documents completed.

For project deliveries these steps are repeated for each item, and the shipping schedule is built into the overall project plan.

• Inaccurate dimensions or weight: a permit issued for different figures is not valid, and the vehicle can be stopped.
• Unknown centre of gravity: wrong positioning on the trailer overloads axles and reduces stability.
• Insufficient securing: Directive 2014/47/EU provides for roadside checks of load securing, and the load must withstand forces of 0.8 of its weight forwards and 0.5 sideways and backwards.
• Late permit applications, when the project schedule leaves no time to wait.
• An unprepared site: no room for the crane, soft ground, a narrow access road.
• Packing not designed for a sea leg or transshipment.
• Roadworks that appear on the route after the permit has been issued.

Most of these risks are removed at the preparation stage, through accurate data, a route check and an agreed lifting plan.

• Cargo assessment. Review of drawings, dimensions, weight, centre of gravity, lifting and lashing points, and options for dismantling.
• Choice of scheme. Comparing road, sea, river and rail options or a combination of them.
• Equipment choice. Semi-lowloader, lowbed or extendable trailer, modular trailers, heavy-load rail wagons, heavy lift vessels.
• Load plan. Position of the cargo on the trailer with axle loads and overall dimensions calculated.
• Route survey. Bridges, overpasses, power lines, turning radii, weight limits, roadworks.
• Permits. Applications and approvals in each country on the route.
• Escort and route works. Pilot vehicles, police escort, lifting of overhead lines, temporary removal of signs.
• Lifting operations. Coordinating cranes, rigging and the lift plan at loading, transshipment and unloading.
• Securing. Lashing to calculation and a check after loading.
• Customs clearance for export, transit and import.
• Project coordination. Delivery schedule, package tracking, contact with manufacturers and installers.

EU size and weight limits

The Directive also sets axle loads (10 t for a single non-driving axle, 11.5 t for a driving axle), and countries add their own rules for their roads. Anything beyond the limits moves under a special permit.

Permit

• Issued for a specific vehicle, load, route and validity period.
• May restrict speed, days and hours of travel.
• May require pilot vehicles or a police escort.
• Valid only for the parameters stated in it.

Load securing

• Under Directive 2014/47/EU load securing may be checked at the roadside; the load must withstand forces of 0.8 of its weight forwards and 0.5 sideways and backwards.
• Lashing forces are calculated under the European standard EN 12195-1.
• For containers and flat racks, packing and securing follow the recommendations of the CTU Code (IMO/ILO/UNECE, 2014).

Sea and rail legs

• A container is not loaded onto a ship without a verified gross mass (VGM) under SOLAS regulation VI/2.
• For rail, the cargo is checked against the loading gauge; track gauge is 1520 mm in Ukraine and 1435 mm in most EU countries.