Customer Solutions: Project Cargo
Have you ever wondered what kind of planning is required to move a water filtration plant to India? Or, what happens when an entire manufacturing plant needs to be relocated from Texas to Brazil? At Expeditors, these types of shipments fall into the Project Cargo arena. They are complex, require close attention to detail and careful planning - often years before the project takes place.
Project Cargo shipments tend to be categorized into two types:
- Specialized Cargo Movements: over dimensional, heavy-lift cargo, or composed of complex components that may be disassembled, shipped, and then reassembled typically over a very short period of time.
- Project Logistics: Goods connected to the same project and often carried at different times, on different modes, and are globally sourced with a shipping period of several months to several years in length.
A customer approached Expeditors about an upcoming movement of a critical oversized component for their manufacturing plant in China. They advised that the component was being fabricated and would not ship for a few years, but would need to be transported safely and efficiently from a fabricator's facility in Southern California to their manufacturing plant in China as soon as it was ready.
To start the project, our teams gathered all necessary information from the customer. Careful planning involved analyzing drawings of the component to visualize the best mode of transportation. Different transportation options were researched to formulate a strategy that would give the customer the most economical logistical solution.
Upon completion of the component, we were notified it was ready to be moved. Not only was it ready, but it needed to replace the existing component which was quickly wearing out. Expeditors immediately dispatched members of our Project Cargo team to oversee the operations and arranged meetings with all respective parties to ensure the project timeline was being met. Prior to moving the cargo, proper transport permits and routes were approved by local and state authorities. Once the component passed final quality inspections and permits were issued, the component was safely loaded by cranes into a specialized trailer and transported to the port. The component was so large that several roads had to be shut down and traffic lights moved in order for it to be transported safely. Through our strategic relationship with the ocean carrier, a ship was in position as soon as the component was delivered to the port. Upon arrival to the terminal, the cargo was loaded onto the vessel for direct sailing to China.
The importance of communication was emphasized throughout the project. As for all movements of this capacity, it was imperative for all parties involved to have pertinent information at their fingertips. In addition to daily vessel position updates, the customer had online visibility to the project via exp.o, Expeditors' online tracking and reporting tool. This effective communication with their facility enabled the site to prepare for delivery and installation of the new component.
Once the vessel arrived in China, the cargo was discharged and loaded onto a barge for final delivery to the site. Expeditors' Project Cargo personnel were onsite to oversee the delivery operation, from the placement of the cranes for unloading until the final receipt at the customer's facility in China.
Whether it is a single piece of over-dimensional cargo or a hundred thousand ton project of several shipments, Expeditors has the expertise to handle these moves. Our Project Cargo teams know what questions to ask, and they research various avenues in order to find the best solutions to move your project to its final destination.
There are many steps during the life of a Project Cargo move, and our teams guide you through every step. Our Project Cargo teams work as your partner in order to ensure your cargo arrives safely, timely, and efficiently.
For more information, please visit our Project Cargo page.
