Breakbulk Shipping from Dubai & China

Breakbulk is cargo that is loaded piece by piece onto a vessel, on pallets, in crates or lashed directly to the deck or in the hold, rather than packed into a container. For example, it is the usual method for heavy machinery, steel, pipes, coils, industrial modules and other items that are too big or too heavy for a container.

Out-of-gauge (OOG) cargo is too big for a closed container but still travels on container equipment, such as a flat rack or open top, on a container ship. Breakbulk cargo is too large or heavy even for that, so it is loaded straight onto a breakbulk or heavy-lift vessel. Our OOG shipping page explains the flat rack and open top options.

It is lifted on by crane, rolled on by ramp or brought alongside on specialised trailers, depending on the piece and the vessel. Once on board, it is lashed to fixed points on the deck or in the hold following a lashing plan that is prepared before loading starts.

From the Gulf we ship out of Jebel Ali in Dubai and the Saudi ports of Jeddah, Dammam and Yanbu to ports across Africa. From China we ship out of Tianjin, Shanghai, Dalian, Lianyungang, Xingang, Qingdao, Shekou and Nansha to Africa, the Middle East, Europe and the Americas.

Usually a commercial invoice, a packing list with the weight and dimensions of every piece, the bill of lading and the export and import customs declarations, plus a certificate of origin where required. In addition, heavy pieces often need a cargo survey or lashing certificate. Also, some African destinations, including Nigeria and Kenya, ask for a pre-shipment inspection certificate.

You can ship large or heavy cargo without taking it apart, which saves the cost of dismantling and rebuilding it at the other end. Moreover, breakbulk vessels can call at smaller ports that large container ships do not serve.

It costs more than container shipping and needs more handling, because every piece is loaded and secured on its own. Sailings are also less frequent than container services, so it pays to plan early.

Generally, it depends on the destination port and the vessel schedule. Breakbulk sailings run less often than container lines, so send us the route and the cargo-ready date and we will confirm the next suitable sailing.

Yes. Besides port-to-port service, we can also arrange pickup from the factory or supplier in the UAE or China, inland trucking, export clearance and delivery to the final site, depending on the route and the cargo.

Send us the weight and dimensions of each piece, photos or drawings, the pickup location and the destination port. After that, our team will confirm the loading method and quote the shipment.