Out-of-Gauge & Breakbulk Shipping from Dubai & China to Africa, Middle East, Europe & Beyond
We move oversized machinery, generators, steel structures and marine vessels on flat rack, open top, RoRo and dedicated breakbulk vessels, with direct manufacturer tie-ups in China so sourcing and export can happen under one roof.
Best for Heavy & Oversized Cargo
Machinery, generators and industrial equipment too large for a standard container.
Best for Infrastructure Projects
Project cargo for energy, construction and industrial builds, planned as one job instead of separate bookings.
Out-of-gauge (OOG), breakbulk and project cargo shipping cover freight that's simply too big, heavy or awkwardly shaped for a standard container: generators, cranes, steel structures, industrial machinery, marine vessels. We ship out of Jebel Ali in Dubai and the Saudi ports into Africa, and out of China (Tianjin, Shanghai, Dalian, Lianyungang, Xingang, Qingdao, Shekou and Nansha) to ports across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, the Americas and beyond. Depending on the size and weight of what you're shipping, that could mean a flat rack container, an open top container, RoRo, or a dedicated breakbulk vessel.
Understanding OOG, Breakbulk & Project Cargo Shipping
Three related but distinct freight terms — here's what each one means and when it applies to your shipment.
What Is Out-of-Gauge (OOG) Cargo?
If it doesn't fit inside a standard container's internal length, width or height, it's out-of-gauge. Construction equipment, industrial machinery, generators, transformers, steel structures — anything that size ends up on a flat rack, an open top container, or a breakbulk vessel instead of a normal 20ft or 40ft box.
What Is Breakbulk Shipping?
Breakbulk means the cargo goes on piece by piece: pallets, crates, or lashed straight to the vessel's deck or hold, instead of packed into a container. It's the standard method for heavy machinery, pipes and coils, and generally anything that's faster to load individually than to force into a box.
What Is Project Cargo Shipping?
Project cargo is less a shipping method and more a way of running the whole move. It's usually for infrastructure, energy or industrial builds, where one shipment might combine breakbulk, OOG, RoRo and standard containers — so the cargo surveys, route planning, customs paperwork and port handling all get managed as a single job instead of separate bookings.
Out-of-Gauge & Breakbulk Cargo We Move
We handle oversized, non-containerized cargo out of Dubai and China, everything from heavy machinery to marine vessels, into ports across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, the Americas and beyond.
Heavy Machinery & Industrial Equipment
Project cargo handling for industrial plant equipment, presses and processing units moving from Dubai or China.
Construction & Mining Equipment
Excavators, loaders and mining machinery shipped as breakbulk or RoRo depending on cargo dimensions.
Generators, Transformers & Turbines
Careful handling and lashing for power generation equipment and oversized electrical assets.
Steel Structures, Pipes & Coils
Structural steel, pipe sections and coiled materials loaded to spec for safe ocean transit.
Vehicles & Rolling Stock
Oversized vehicles, trailers and rolling stock too large for standard container or RoRo booking.
Wind Turbine & Oil/Gas Modules
Long, heavy components handled with the right lashing plan and vessel booking for safe transit.
Cargo That Needs OOG or Breakbulk Shipping
If your shipment falls into any of these categories, it likely won't fit inside a standard container and will need a breakbulk, flat rack, open top or RoRo solution:
- Generators, transformers and turbines
- Industrial machinery and processing equipment
- Construction and mining equipment
- Steel beams, pipes, coils and prefabricated structures
- Yachts, boats and marine vessels
- Wind turbine components and oil & gas modules
- Vehicles and rolling stock too large for standard RoRo booking
- Any cargo exceeding standard container dimensions or weight limits
We look at each shipment on its own, whether it's one oversized machine or a full project cargo job, and work out the most cost-effective way to move it: flat rack, open top, RoRo or breakbulk vessel.
When Does Cargo Become Out-of-Gauge?
A standard 40ft high-cube container has roughly 12 m (39.5 ft) of usable length, 2.35 m (7.7 ft) of width and 2.59 m (8.5 ft) of height, with a payload limit of about 26–28 tonnes. Cargo that exceeds any of these becomes out-of-gauge:
| Dimension | Standard Container Limit | Out-of-Gauge When… |
|---|---|---|
| Length | ~12 m (39.5 ft) | Longer than the container — needs flat rack or breakbulk vessel |
| Width | ~2.35 m (7.7 ft) | Wider than 2.44 m (8 ft) — needs flat rack or breakbulk vessel |
| Height | ~2.59 m (8.5 ft) | Taller than the container — needs open top or breakbulk vessel |
| Weight | ~26–28 tonnes | Heavier loads need reinforced flat rack, RoRo or heavy-lift vessel |
Equipment We Use for OOG & Breakbulk Cargo
Get the equipment wrong and oversized cargo gets damaged, delayed, or both. We match your cargo's shape, size and weight to the right loading method:
Flat Rack Container
Collapsible sides allow crane loading from the top or sides — ideal for machinery, vehicles and steel structures wider or taller than a standard container.
Open Top Container
A removable tarpaulin roof allows crane loading from above — suited to tall equipment and structural steel that fits the container's length and width.
RoRo Vessel
Vehicles and machinery are driven directly onto the vessel via ramp, avoiding crane handling and reducing the risk of damage. See our full RoRo shipping service for standard vehicle and rolling cargo.
Breakbulk Vessel
Cargo is lashed directly to the vessel deck or hold for oversized loads that exceed flat rack or RoRo limits, such as industrial modules and marine vessels.
How Breakbulk & OOG Shipping Works
Oversized cargo takes more planning than a standard container booking. Here's roughly how a shipment moves through our process, from the first cargo survey to delivery.
Cargo Assessment & Survey
Share dimensions, weight and photos. We assess the right vessel, flat rack or open-top solution for your cargo.
Custom Packing, Lashing & Securing
Our team arranges proper crating, lashing and securing to meet international shipping standards.
Booking & Documentation
We handle booking with breakbulk carriers, customs paperwork and port scheduling from Dubai or China.
Loading, Shipping & Tracking
Cargo is loaded, shipped and tracked door-to-port or port-to-port until it reaches its destination.
Built for the Extra Care OOG Cargo Needs
Out-of-gauge and breakbulk cargo needs more hands-on coordination than a standard container booking. This is where that extra effort actually goes.
Direct Tie-Ups with Manufacturers in China
Work directly with factories and manufacturers for smoother sourcing, packing and export of your project cargo.
Two Main Origins: Dubai & China
Consolidate or ship separately from two of the world's busiest export hubs, with Saudi port access for Africa-bound cargo too.
40+ Years of Freight Experience
Established handling expertise for heavy and oversized cargo.
Full Documentation & Customs Support
We manage permits, cargo surveys and port paperwork for OOG shipments.
Ports Across 100+ Countries
Reach across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, the Americas and beyond.
Proper Lashing, Packing & Cargo Surveys
Every oversized shipment is assessed and secured to international standards.
Direct WhatsApp Communication
Fast quotes and shipment updates without waiting on email.
Project Cargo for Every Heavy Industry
Origin Ports & Trade Lanes
We run out-of-gauge and breakbulk cargo on two main lanes — from the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and from China — with additional ports available on request.
Major Ports We Deliver To
Africa
Middle East
Europe
Americas
& Beyond
Trusted for Project & Breakbulk Cargo
Feedback from clients who shipped oversized and project cargo with us from Dubai and China.
We had processing equipment that needed special lashing and a flat rack booking. They handled it start to finish and kept us posted the whole way through.
Shipped a batch of steel pipe sections out of China as breakbulk. No issues with the paperwork or at the port, which honestly isn't always the case.
These guys know oversized cargo. Even with awkward dimensions, the loading and securing was done properly, no shortcuts.
Out-of-Gauge & Breakbulk Shipping Questions
What is out-of-gauge (OOG) cargo?
What is the difference between breakbulk and out-of-gauge shipping?
What is the difference between bulk cargo and breakbulk cargo?
What size or weight makes my cargo "out of gauge"?
Which shipping method will be used for my cargo — flat rack, open top, RoRo or breakbulk vessel?
How is breakbulk cargo loaded and secured onto the vessel?
Which ports do you ship out-of-gauge and breakbulk cargo from?
Which ports and regions do you cover?
What documents are needed for an OOG or breakbulk shipment?
Is my cargo insured during breakbulk or OOG shipping?
What are the advantages of breakbulk shipping?
Are there any drawbacks to breakbulk shipping?
How long does breakbulk or OOG shipping take from Dubai or China?
How do I get a quote for out-of-gauge or breakbulk shipping?
What is the difference between project cargo and breakbulk shipping?
Do you offer door-to-door out-of-gauge and breakbulk shipping?
Request Your OOG / Breakbulk Quote
Prefer WhatsApp? Tap the button below, or fill in the form and we'll reach out with a tailored quote.
Cargo & Contact Details
Share your cargo dimensions, weight and destination port. Our project cargo team will confirm the right vessel and equipment for your shipment.
Have oversized or project cargo to ship?
Share your cargo type, dimensions, destination and timeline and continue the quote request directly on WhatsApp.
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