Transporting Oversized Loads
Over-Width: A Common Problem
Possibly the most common abnormality across the UK and internationally is over-width, starting at 2,50m and stretching to 5.00m and beyond. Frequently arising issues found with projects involving wide and abnormal cargo require careful planning and permits to escort vehicles.
Dealing with Wide Loads depends on the Country
At 2.50m to 3.00m, dependent on the transit country, it’s probably just a question of authorisations – without necessarily a prescribed route or specified date/time. Beyond 3.00m, as the width increases, not only does it take longer to obtain the permits but other factors come into play – not only a designated route but also restricted movement times. Some countries prefer movement at night, others by day – some only on the autobahn, others not on the autoroute.
To put the 5.00m threshold into perspective, effectively this is “two trucks” wide, taking up most of a dual carriageway – leaving little prospect of overtaking, sometimes causing enormous traffic queues.
As a rule of thumb, presuming that the width cannot be reduced, at 5.00m, other methods/routes come into play. Where is the nearest, navigable canal/river? Is there a local quay and cranes, for transfer to/from vehicles? No stone can be left unturned.
Case Study: STG Transports 5m wide load from Oxted to Kazakhstan
To give an example of our transportation services expertise: STGs’ record for the widest load over the longest distance. The project involved a 5.00m wide piece from Oxted in the UK to Karaganda, Kazakhstan – routed via Finland, under escort for a distance of over 4.000 miles – no mean feat, particularly considering the need to keep the task compliant and cost effective.
