Out of Gauge (OOG) Cargo Shipping from Dubai & China
Flat racks, open tops, RoRo and breakbulk for oversized machinery and project cargo, moved on two of the world's busiest heavy-cargo corridors, onward to Africa and worldwide.
Oversized Freight Shipping from Dubai & China
Out of Gauge (OOG) cargo is freight that cannot fit inside a standard 20ft or 40ft container, typically wider than 2.35 m or taller than 2.39 m. It ships on flat racks, open-top containers or by RoRo, staying within the container-liner framework rather than being loaded loose as breakbulk.
At MegaSpeed Cargo we handle OOG and heavy-lift freight on two major corridors, from Dubai (Jebel Ali) and directly from the main Chinese ports, with 40+ years in the industry and a single accountable point of contact from origin to final site.
What Makes Cargo Out of Gauge
The moment an asset protrudes beyond a container's width, height or length, it needs a strategic plan that accounts for every centimetre. OOG breaks down into three dimensions.
Beyond the flat rack edges
Cargo extends past the lateral edges of a flat rack. Careful stowage planning avoids contact with neighbouring stacks or vessel structures.
Above the top rail
Items rise above the top rail of an open-top container and are loaded by crane through the roof rather than the rear doors.
Long-span machinery
Long assets may need multiple flat racks or an "artificial deck" created by joining several container positions together.
OOG vs. Breakbulk
There's a clear threshold where cargo shifts from OOG to pure breakbulk. OOG stays within the liner service, secured to container equipment and stowed on a traditional container ship, giving greater schedule frequency and the protection of established handling protocols.
Breakbulk is reserved for assets so large they must be loaded directly onto the vessel's deck or into the hold. Where cargo genuinely exceeds container limits, our team arranges dedicated breakbulk and heavy-lift solutions, and advises which route is safer and more cost-effective for your asset.
Flat Racks, Open Tops & the RoRo Alternative
Success in OOG shipping depends on matching the physical properties of the asset to the mechanical capabilities of the transport equipment.
Open-top containers
A removable tarpaulin instead of a solid roof lets over-height components be lowered directly into the frame by crane.
Flat rack containers
Collapsible ends allow flexible loading from the side or top, the industry benchmark for wide-span, heavy machinery.
RoRo for mobile plant
Wheeled or tracked machinery is driven straight onto a vehicle deck, no crane lift, less port handling, lower risk of surcharges.
Oversized Freight We Move Every Week
From a single excavator to a full production line, we handle the industrial equipment that keeps global infrastructure projects moving.
Construction & mining equipment
Excavators, bulldozers, loaders, cranes and drilling rigs by flat rack or RoRo.
Power & generation plant
Generators, transformers, boilers and turbines for energy and industrial projects.
Oversized vehicles & rolling stock
Trucks, trailers, buses and rail units too large for standard container loading.
Wind, oil & gas modules
Turbine blades, nacelles and pre-assembled process modules for renewable and energy sectors.
Reactors & pressure vessels
Long, heavy single-piece units requiring engineered lashing and specialist handling.
Steel & structural products
Coils, plates, beams and fabricated structures for construction and industry.
Not sure which equipment your cargo needs?
Send us the dimensions and weight and our heavy-lift team will recommend the safest, most cost-effective option: flat rack, open top, RoRo or breakbulk.
Lost Slots & Operational Surcharges
Beyond standard container dimensions, pricing shifts from simple freight rates to opportunity-cost calculations. We optimise stowage plans to minimise lost-slot penalties and give you a predictable cost structure from the outset.
The "lost slot" impact
When an oversized item protrudes into the space reserved for adjacent containers, those slots become "lost" and can't be sold. A single over-width piece might "kill" up to six potential slots, and carriers charge for that empty space. OOG pricing is based on the total footprint and the volume of unusable space created, not just the weight.
Hidden fees to watch for
- Rigging & dunnage: timber, steel plates and high-tensile chains to secure heavy loads.
- Surveyor fees: independent inspection that lashing meets insurance and safety rules.
- Port handling (THC): specialised cranes and labour-intensive ground handling.
- Escort vehicles: police or private escorts for the oversized inland leg.
Secure Lashing & Accurate Declaration
Under IMO guidelines, misdeclaring the weight or dimensions of oversized freight is a serious safety violation that can void insurance. If gate-in dimensions differ from the booking, even by a few centimetres, the carrier can "shut out" the cargo, causing delays and storage fees. We make sure every measurement and document aligns with global maritime law.
- Extreme dimensions: measure the widest, tallest and longest points, including bolts, handles and fins.
- Centre of gravity: marked clearly on the exterior for a level, balanced crane lift.
- Weight distribution: load-bearing points identified so the rack or deck is supported correctly.
- Certified lashing: engineered chains, webbing and dunnage with professional lashing certificates.
OOG Shipping from Dubai & China
Whichever origin suits your supply chain, you deal with a single point of contact from factory or warehouse floor to the final site.
OOG shipping from Dubai / Jebel Ali
Dubai is the pivotal nexus for trade into Africa. From our UAE facility we handle the full OOG workflow: collection and consolidation of machinery, expert lashing on flat racks and open tops, RoRo bookings for mobile equipment, customs clearance and coordination to final delivery in Mombasa, Dar es Salaam, Lagos, Durban and beyond. Ideal for cargo already in the UAE/GCC or re-exported through Dubai.
OOG shipping direct from China
Much of the world's heavy machinery is built in China. We arrange OOG and heavy-lift shipments directly from Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen (Yantian/Shekou), Qingdao and Guangzhou. We coordinate factory collection and inland haulage, arrange flat racks, open tops, RoRo or breakbulk, and manage precise measurement, lashing and declaration at origin, the stage where most OOG problems are created or avoided.
40+ Years of Heavy-Lift Expertise
Two proven corridors
One accountable team for OOG from Dubai and directly from China, no juggling multiple forwarders across origins.
RoRo cost advantage
A strategic alternative to containerised OOG for wheeled and tracked equipment, cutting crane and lashing costs.
Consolidation to Africa
Machinery and spare parts combined for the most economical use of space to the African interior.
Out of Gauge Shipping: Your Questions Answered
What exactly qualifies as out of gauge (OOG) cargo?
OOG cargo is freight that exceeds the internal dimensions of a standard 20ft or 40ft container, typically wider than 2.35 m or taller than 2.39 m. This includes large boilers, turbines, generators or construction machinery that can't be loaded through standard container doors and require flat racks or open-top units for safe transit within a liner service.
Can you ship OOG cargo from both Dubai and China?
Yes. We handle OOG and heavy-lift shipments from our Dubai hub and directly from the major Chinese ports (Shanghai, Ningbo, Shenzhen, Qingdao and Guangzhou), onward to Africa and worldwide. Whichever origin suits your supply chain, you deal with a single accountable team.
How much more expensive is OOG shipping than standard container freight?
Pricing is higher due to operational complexity and the space the cargo occupies on the vessel. You're charged for the "footprint" of the cargo, including adjacent container slots that can't be used, plus specialised lashing, crane hire and port handling. Every shipment is unique, so costs are calculated on the specific dimensions and route.
Can I ship out of gauge cargo via RoRo vessels?
RoRo is an excellent alternative for mobile OOG cargo such as bulldozers, excavators or cranes. If the machinery can be driven or towed onto the ship's deck, RoRo is often safer and more cost-effective than containerised OOG, eliminating expensive crane lifts and complex lashing whilst protecting the equipment under deck.
What are 'lost slots' and how do they affect my quote?
'Lost slots' are the vacant container positions that stay empty because your oversized cargo protrudes into them. Since the carrier can't sell those positions, you compensate for the lost revenue. A single over-width item might mean paying for several adjacent slots, a major component of your final quote that depends on the vessel's stowage plan.
What information do you need for an accurate OOG quote?
Provide the exact length, width and height including all protrusions (handles, bolts), the weight, and the clearly marked centre of gravity. Technical drawings or photographs help. Accurate data from the start prevents re-rating "sticker shock" at the port and ensures the correct equipment is reserved.
Do you arrange customs clearance and inland delivery?
Yes. On both the Dubai and China lanes we handle export documentation, customs clearance and onward/inland delivery, so the shipment is managed end to end as a single project.
What's the difference between OOG and breakbulk, and can you handle both?
OOG cargo stays within the container-liner framework on flat racks or open tops; breakbulk is for assets so large they must be loaded directly onto the vessel's deck or into the hold. We arrange both, and advise which is more cost-effective and secure for your specific asset.
Ship Your Oversized Cargo with Confidence
Our team is ready to handle the technical complexities, from Dubai or from China, so you can focus on expanding your operations with total peace of mind.
