We offer a carbon offset freight service. Click here to find out more.

Heavy Lift Cargo Services

What counts as heavy lift

Heavy lift shipping starts where standard container shipping stops. Once a single unit passes about 20 tonnes, or exceeds the dimensions of a 40ft container, it generally cannot travel in a sealed box. It needs a flat rack, an open top, break bulk stowage, or its own chartered vessel. The industry also calls this out-of-gauge cargo.

Our heavy lift cargo services handle oversized shipments: machinery, turbines, generators and construction plant. We arrange and coordinate loading, unloading and transport through subcontracted carriers and lift crews, minimising the risk of damage.

Capability: weights, dimensions and equipment

Single units from 20 tonnes to 500+ tonnes
Flat racks, open tops, break bulk stowage and full vessel charter where the unit warrants it
Cargo such as turbines, generators, transformers, rope shovels, front loaders, transmission towers, pipeline sections and mining plant
Permits and approvals for ports, roads, police escorts and power line clearances
Custom rigging, lifting points and securement, planned unit by unit
Competitive pricing for large-scale oversized cargo transport, backed by 25+ years’ experience

Heavy lift sits inside our wider full service project logistics offering; break bulk cargo covers units suited to conventional stowage.

Unmatched Heavy Cargo Features

Capable of handling shipments exceeding standard weight limits – from 20 tonnes to 500+ tonnes

Tailored solutions minimise risk of damage to high-value cargo

Advanced techniques ensure safe and efficient loading processes using specialised equipment

Meticulous logistical planning for smooth operations

Adaptable to various types of oversized cargo

End-to-end assistance throughout the transport process

Adherence to international standards for cargo safety

Competitive pricing models for large-scale projects backed by over 25 years experience

Why Precision Matters in Heavy Lift Operations

Heavy lift transport demands more than standard logistics. Each shipment brings unusual dimensions, extreme weight, access restrictions and timelines that affect entire project schedules.

Our team manages that complexity through engineering analysis, custom rigging and route assessments. We calculate load distributions, identify port constraints, arrange permits and coordinate with port and government authorities, preventing costly delays and equipment damage.

Industries We Support

Magellan’s heavy lift expertise serves critical sectors:

Mining and Construction: excavation equipment, drilling machines, structural steel
Energy Infrastructure: turbines, generators, transformers
Manufacturing and Industrial: heavy machinery, processing systems
Pipeline and Transmission: pipeline sections, transmission towers

Case study: Thriveni Earth Movers

In 2025 we managed a full charter export from Newcastle to Paradip Port in India: 2 x P&H 4100 KOMATSU Rope Shovels, 7th April 2025 to 5th May 2025. The heaviest component, the revolving frame, weighed 143.00t; the largest, the boom assay, measured 21.11 x 7.3m. Alongside 7x20gp and 4×40 OT containers (11 in total), the break bulk units came to 4916.06 CBM.

The difficulty sat in the detail: securing the right ship at the right price, and winning port, road, police and power line permits. We also coordinated cargo from laydown yards in Newcastle and Brisbane, arriving under the ship’s hook inside each loading window.

Coordination with every subcontractor kept the project on track, and the stowage plan was adjusted so every unit loaded with weight correctly distributed. The result was a commercially viable project the client had rated marginal at best.

Frequently asked questions

Yes. Turbines, generators and transformers are core heavy lift cargo for us, along with rope shovels, front loaders, transmission towers and pipeline sections. We assess weight, dimensions and lifting points, then arrange the equipment, stowage and approvals each unit needs.

We arrange heavy lift shipping end to end: route and load assessments, flat rack and open top bookings, break bulk stowage and full vessel charter. We also arrange port and road permits, police escorts and clearance by our licensed customs brokers. Your dedicated account manager coordinates every party.

Getting Started with Magellan

Ready to move your next heavy lift project? We deliver a 98.5% DIFOT (Delivered In Full, On Time) rate, backed by 25+ years navigating complex logistics.

Why choose Magellan for heavy lift cargo:

Licensed customs brokers with Australian Trusted Trader accreditation
Project managers specialising in oversized cargo and infrastructure
Shipment and document visibility through our MagTrack portal
Offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Auckland, with Adelaide and Fremantle also serviced

Request a competitive quote or contact our team. You can also speak to our heavy lift specialists on 1300 651 888.

Trusted by Leading Industries

Tailored Logistics

Customised planning keeps project schedules on track. We work with your engineering teams on solutions built around equipment specifications, handling requirements and site conditions.

Global Reach

A network spanning 270+ locations delivers heavy lift cargo worldwide, with partner and shipping connections across all major trade lanes.

Secure Transport of Large Machinery

Specialised equipment and expert handling move valuable assets safely, reducing downtime. Pipeline sections and transmission towers demand the same discipline through loading and discharge.