Cargo in the hold. When a container is not enough.
Machinery, plant and structures too large or heavy for a container: we assess feasibility and arrange loading as break bulk cargo with shipowners and partners.
Out-of-gauge cargo, loaded piece by piece.
What break bulk cargo is
Break bulk, or conventional cargo, is when goods are loaded as individual pieces rather than inside a container: a machine, a tank, a steel structure, a very heavy crate. It is the solution for pieces that exceed the dimensions or payloads of containers, special ones included, or that cannot be dismantled. The goods are lifted by ship's or quayside cranes and stowed in the vessel or, where the service allows, loaded on wheels or on special platforms.
What travels in the hold
Typical cargo in the hold includes large machine tools and presses, plant components, tanks and heat exchangers, steel structures, transformers, boats and special vehicles. What these goods have in common is non-standard dimensions or weight, often a high value and almost always production schedules that leave no room for mistakes in shipping. For each of them the route is designed to measure: there is no price list, but a case-by-case assessment that we put in writing before confirming.
First the piece, then the ship
Shipment in the hold is decided on the data of the piece: exact dimensions, weight, centre of gravity, lifting and lashing points, strength of the base. We need drawings or technical sheets and, where necessary, a site survey. From this data we assess whether the piece can travel on a flat rack or in an open top, which are still container solutions, or whether break bulk is really needed, and on what type of vessel. The best choice often emerges by comparing several options, including land-side costs.
Specialised shipowners and partners
Break bulk services lack the regularity of container lines: vessels, ports and sailings vary with the route and the season. That is why we arrange these shipments with specialised shipowners and partners, choosing the port and service that suit the piece and the destination. We also agree the loading and discharge terms, because with break bulk it is not a given who pays for quayside and on-board operations, and we tell you clearly what the freight includes.
Packing, lifting and lashing
A piece travelling in the hold needs protection against impact, moisture and salt: wooden crates or skids, bases, anti-corrosion protection, barrier packaging for sensitive parts. Timber must comply with the ISPM 15 standard when the destination requires it. Weight, centre of gravity and lifting points must be marked on the package, because that is where it will be hooked. Custom crates and packing can be prepared at our logistics hub in Brescia.
From your plant to the port
Many break bulk loads are also abnormal loads on the road: getting them to the port takes special vehicles, transit permits, a planned route and, where required, pilot vehicles. We coordinate the land leg and arrival at the port with the vessel's delivery windows, so the piece does not sit on the quay longer than necessary. The road side is described on our abnormal loads page.
Plant and projects in several shipments
An industrial plant rarely leaves all at once: some components fit in containers, others need flat racks, others break bulk. We coordinate the different shipments of the same project, with a single contact and orderly documentation, so that every piece can be identified at destination and assembly can start without surprises. We also cover this on our machinery shipping page.
Documents, customs and insurance
Break bulk cargo also travels with a bill of lading, invoice, detailed packing list with the weight and dimensions of each package and an export declaration, which we handle at our in-house customs as an Authorised Economic Operator. For machines that leave for processing and then come back, we look at inward and outward processing procedures with you. Given the nature of these loads we always recommend insurance cover suited to the value of the piece, separate from the carrier's liability.
What we need to assess it
For an initial assessment we need the dimensions and weight of each piece, drawings or photos, centre of gravity and lifting points if known, collection place and destination, availability date and the Incoterms rule. With this information we check feasibility and propose one or more solutions, stating clearly what is confirmed and what depends on the vessel and the port. We do not give departure or arrival dates until the shipowner confirms them.
