Break Bulk Cargo Shipping | Heavy Lift Freight Transport

Your Break Bulk Cargo Shipping Expert

Latin American Cargo offers fast, reliable breakbulk freight shipping services. We safely transport your heavy lift shipments such as machinery, mining equipment, out-of-gauge vehicles, and other valuable cargo, to and from any country in North America, South America, or the Caribbean.
Our team of breakbulk shipping experts is ready to assess you and arrange the shipment of your oversized loads, with the highest levels of efficiency, security and reliability.

What is Break Bulk Shipping?

Breakbulk shipping refers to the transportation of oversized, heavy, or irregularly shaped cargo that cannot be containerized. This includes machinery, industrial equipment, and specialized vehicles that are too large or heavy for standard shipping containers or even flat-racks.

Unlike traditional shipments, break bulk cargo is transported as individual pieces, typically loaded directly onto a vessel using cranes or placed on flatbed trailers. This mode of transport requires meticulous planning, route optimization, and specialized handling procedures to ensure safety and efficiency throughout the supply chain.

Because of the complexity involved, breakbulk is not offered by all logistics providers. It demands extensive coordination, expert handling, and robust risk management systems.

LAC specializes in breakbulk shipping solutions that minimize extra costs—such as storage fees, port delays, or unexpected duties—while ensuring your cargo arrives securely and on time.

Understanding Out of Gauge and Heavy Lift Cargo

Out-of-Gauge (OOG) cargo refers to any shipment that exceeds the standard dimensions of a shipping container in length, width, or height. These oversized items often fall within the realm of break bulk cargo, as they require individualized handling and cannot be containerized in the conventional way. Such commodities demand tailored transportation solutions and expert cargo management to ensure safe and efficient delivery.

Whether you’re moving large industrial components or uniquely shaped equipment, our team is equipped to manage even the most complex logistics challenges—often characteristic of breakbulk and project cargo operations.

Transport Options for Oversized and Heavy Lift Shipments

To safely load and move these exceptional shipments, we offer several specialized transport options suited for breakbulk and OOG cargo:

• Flat-rack and Open-Top Containers: Ideal for ocean freight, these are commonly used in breakbulk logistics to accommodate OOG cargo. They allow for secure loading from the top or sides, with protective coverings added once the cargo is secured. These containers are then placed aboard vessels equipped to handle heavy and irregular freight.
• Flatbed, Winch Truck, Hiab Truck, and Heavy-Haul Trucking: Our ground transport network across Canada, the USA, and Mexico is well-suited for breakbulk-type shipments that involve heavy lift or oversized equipment, ensuring smooth inland delivery.
• Standard Air Cargo and Charter Flights: For air transportation, we coordinate the appropriate aircraft to match your cargo dimensions and delivery timelines. Whether utilizing a large freight plane or a custom charter, we manage every detail—planning, loading, unloading—to move your heavy items safely and efficiently.

With Latin American Cargo, your heavy lift and breakbulk logistics are in expert hands—no matter how complex or oversized your shipment may be.

Ship With Confidence, Ship with LAC

Our team of logistics experts is ready to optimize your supply chain and deliver seamless shipping solutions.

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Differences Between Breakbulk and Container Shipping

While container shipping is ideal for standardized, palletized, or boxed goods that fit within 20- or 40-foot containers, breakbulk shipping is the go-to option when your cargo simply doesn’t fit. If your shipment exceeds container dimensions, or is too heavy for flat-racks and platforms, breakbulk becomes the most viable and often only option.

Here are some key differences:

• Cargo Type: Container shipping handles uniform goods; breakbulk shipping accommodates oversized, irregular, or dismantled items.
• Handling Method: Containerized cargo is moved using standardized port infrastructure. Breakbulk often requires onboard cranes and customized loading plans.
• Destination Flexibility: Breakbulk is often the better choice when shipping to ports with limited infrastructure or without container-handling capabilities.
• Labor & Logistics: Breakbulk involves more manual labor and planning—cargo may be disassembled for shipment and reassembled at the destination.
• Cost Efficiency: Although breakbulk may appear more labor-intensive, it can avoid extra container fees, standby charges, or inland transportation complications.

For companies shipping large equipment or project cargo, breakbulk remains a reliable, flexible, and cost-effective solution—especially when containerization simply isn’t feasible.

Common Examples of Break Bulk Cargo

1. Industrial Equipment & Machinery

• Construction machinery (e.g., excavators, bulldozers, cranes)
• Mining equipment
• Agricultural machinery (e.g., harvesters, tractors)
• Drilling rigs and components
• Injection molding machines

2. Energy & Power Infrastructure

• Wind turbine blades and components
• Power-generation units (e.g., generators, transformers)
• Turbines (gas, steam, hydro)
• Oil and gas refinery components
• Substations and control panels

3. Building Materials & Structural Components

• Steel beams and girders
• Prefabricated building sections
• Pipes and pressure vessels
• Insulated wall panels or structural frames
• Reinforced concrete elements

4. Forest Products & Raw Materials

• Lumber (timber, logs, beams)
• Paper pulp
• Wood panels or boards
• Veneers and treated wood for industrial use

5. Metals & Fabricated Products

• Steel coils and sheets
• Rebar bundles
• Aluminum ingots
• Copper cathodes
• Wire rods and cables

6. Project Cargo & Custom Builds

• Modular units for mining or construction camps
• Containerized laboratories or workshops
• Custom-engineered skid units
• Large industrial tanks

When to Choose Breakbulk for Your Shipment

Breakbulk cargo shipping is the ideal solution when your freight exceeds the limits of a standard container in terms of dimensions and weight, or when items are too irregular in shape to be containerized. It is commonly used in project logistics for industries such as construction, oil and gas, energy, marine, and mining—sectors that often deal with oversized or heavy equipment and materials.

Key advantages of breakbulk shipping include:

• Enables the transport of massive components that cannot fit into a standard container
• Allows direct access to less-developed terminals that may not support containerized cargo
• Reduces the risk of damage by avoiding forced consolidation or disassembly
• Facilitates easier organization and assembly of goods at the final destination
• Utilizes specialized handling equipment designed for irregular loads

If your cargo requires custom planning, specialized loading procedures, or falls outside conventional freight parameters, breakbulk is likely your best-fit solution.

Value-Added Services from Our Breakbulk Transport Division

Our dedicated Breakbulk Transport Division provides comprehensive support throughout your shipment’s journey. We offer a range of value-added services to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant handling of your oversized cargo:

• Route surveys and carrier selection tailored to cargo size and transit conditions
• Site inspections and detailed project planning
• Customs clearance and documentation for both imports and exports
• Coordination of police escorts and inland transport permits, when required
• Loading, lashing, and securing cargo at the port of origin or nearby facility
• Stevedoring, unloading, lashing, and access to port storage facilities
• Inland pick-up and delivery using specialized trailers and handling equipment
• Real-time tracking with proactive en-route status reporting
• Final-mile delivery with comprehensive closing reports

Why Choose LAC for Breakbulk Shipping

With over 25 years of experience in specialized breakbulk cargo transportation, Latin American Cargo delivers tailored logistics solutions for heavy lift and oversized shipments. Whether your freight is heading to the USA, Mexico, Brazil, Ecuador, or anywhere across North, Central, South America and the Caribbean, our team of experts ensures precise planning and execution.

From cargo handling and documentation to support equipment and compliance with international regulations, we provide end-to-end support backed by deep industry knowledge and regional expertise.

Here’s what sets us apart in break bulk services:

• Strong partnerships with leading shipping lines and vessel operators
• Broad access to specialized equipment for heavy and oversized cargo
• In-depth understanding of port operations and customs regulations
• Expert planning for seamless load and unload operations
• Cost-effective solutions tailored to your timeline and cargo requirements

Our team combines technical skill, local insight, and a commitment to customer satisfaction to ensure the safe, seamless delivery of your breakbulk cargo—no matter the size, complexity, or destination.