Heavy Lift Cargo: Crane Capacity and Lifting Requirements
Heavy lift cargo requires more than checking the total weight of the unit.
Crane capacity, outreach, lifting points, centre of gravity and available working space can determine whether a vessel is suitable for the operation.
Before evaluating a lifting operation, shippers should provide:
Even relatively compact cargo can require specialised lifting arrangements if the weight is concentrated or the centre of gravity is high.
A vessel crane may have sufficient maximum capacity but still be unsuitable at the required outreach.
The lifting radius should therefore be checked together with:
For heavier units, two cranes may need to operate together.
Lifting points must be suitable for the forces generated during the operation.
Depending on the cargo, the lifting arrangement may require:
The final configuration should be reviewed before loading, together with the securing arrangement described in breakbulk cargo lashing and securing.
Heavy lift operations can also be affected by:
These factors should be considered before booking the vessel.
Heavy lift cargo should be evaluated before the chartering process reaches the final stage.
Early review of cargo drawings, lifting requirements and vessel capabilities helps avoid unsuitable tonnage, operational delays and additional costs. The wider planning checklist is set out in project cargo and heavy machinery shipping, and route-specific guidance in heavy equipment shipping from China to Europe.
Further materials are available in the Project and Heavy Cargo section, and the service overview is on the Breakbulk Cargo page.
Ship Chartering · Maritime Brokerage · Commercial Ship Management
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