6 Different Types of Heavy Machinery that Can Be Used on Cargo Ships

What type of heavy machinery do shippers use on cargo ships? Cargo ships are large vessels that transport goods from one port to another. They usually carry containers or other types of cargo.

These ships are also known as bulk carriers because they can load and unload massive amounts of cargo at once.

Heavy machinery refers to equipment used to perform specific tasks. This equipment can include cranes, bulldozers, excavators, forklifts, tractors, and even construction vehicles. The type of heavy machinery used depends on the task a shipper needs to perform.

Shipping companies use a wide variety of machines during heavy equipment transport. Below, you'll find six necessary pieces of heavy equipment used in the shipping process.

1. Shipping Containers

Cargo ships often carry shipping containers. They are made of steel and have wheels that can move around quickly.

Different sizes of shipping containers are available depending on the size of the ship. Larger ships will generally use larger containers. Some of these containers stack on top of each other to save space.

Container shipping is important for heavy equipment transport. It allows shippers to transport the equipment without fretting over potential damage.

Plus, many shipping containers now go on to live second lives as low-cost modular housing. How's that for recycling?

2. Forklift Trucks

Forklift trucks are an important part of any heavy equipment transport process. They are used to move items around warehouses and loading docks. They are especially useful when moving pallets of products from one location to another.

The forklift truck has two main parts: the lift mechanism and the forks. The lift mechanism raises and lowers the forks so they can grab objects from the ground.

It does this by using hydraulic cylinders. These cylinders raise and lower the forks, which then hold the object.

3. Standard Flatbed Trailers

A standard straight flatbed trailer is a trailer with no special features. It has two parallel sides and a flat floor.

Flatbed or flat rack trailers are crucial for heavy equipment transport.

For example, a flat rack container truck must lift up to 20 tons to move it onto a ship. A standard straight flatbed trailer can hold up to 50 tons of cargo.

4. Hydraulic Pallet Jacks

Hydraulic pallet jacks are a machine that lifts loads off the ground. They are often used to move pallets of products into place.

Pallet jacks are handy for heavy equipment transport. They allow workers to quickly move heavy loads around warehouses and loading docks without doing all the lifting themselves.

5. Specialized Trailers

There are many different types of specialized trailers used in shipping operations. Lowboy trailers, tipper trailers, walking floor trailers, and removable gooseneck trailers are all examples.

Lowboy trailers are similar to standard straight flatbeds, except that there are low walls along the side of the trailer. This makes it easier to get into and out of the trailer. Lowboy trailers are most commonly seen on 18-wheeler trucks.

Tipper trailers have a ramp at the back end instead of stairs. This allows them to drive onto the trailer without having to climb down first.

Walking floor trailers have a platform built into the trailer bed. This allows workers to stand while working on the trailer.

A removable gooseneck trailer is a trailer with a long arm attached to its front. This arm helps to attach the trailer to the vehicle. Goosenecks are invaluable for heavy equipment shipping.

6. Container Cranes and Crane Bodies

Cranes are machines that lift things off the ground. There are different kinds of cranes such as aerial cranes, gantry cranes, derrick cranes, jib cranes, overhead traveling cranes, and stacker cranes.

Crane bodies are the frame of the crane itself. Most cranes have a single-body style. However, some cranes have more than one body. For example, a double-decked crane would have two separate crane bodies connected together.

Though cranes are often thought of as construction equipment, they're vital for heavy equipment transport.

Cranes are necessary for heavy equipment transport because they make getting heavy loads into position easier. Workers don't need to lift them manually. Instead, they attach the cable to the load and let the crane.

A Quick Note On Oversized Loads

An oversized load is any item exceeding the maximum size allowed for transport. For example, an oversized load may be a piece of furniture that cannot fit into the back of a truck because it is too large.

Similarly, oversized vehicles include any vehicle exceeding the maximum width limit for a shipping operation.

Overweight loads present unique shipping challenges. If you have an oversized load, it may not fit into standard containers. In this case, you will need to pay extra money to transport it by truck or rail.

Oversized and overweight loads sometimes require the use of special shipping equipment. When shipping an overweight or oversized load, you should consider critical factors, such as your timeline and budget.

Conclusion

Ultimately, it takes many different pieces of heavy equipment to keep a cargo ship running. Some of these importants include:

• Shipping Containers
• Forklift Trucks
• Standard Flatbed Trailers
• Hydraulic Pallet Jacks
• Specialized Trailers
• Container Cranes

Any cargo ship requires all of these pieces of equipment and more. The best way to ensure your cargo ships run smoothly is to hire a professional freight forwarder who can help you plan every step of the journey.

The biggest challenge faced by many companies using containers is getting them from one place to another. Container shipping involves loading the goods onto trucks or ships, which the vehicles then cross land or sea. If this process goes wrong, it could cause delays or damage to the shipment.

Accordingly, it's crucial to choose a shipping company you trust. If you're shipping heavy machinery or other cargo, we can help.

Rely on A1 Auto Transport for load assistance, overseas shipping, and all your other freight needs. We are an air, land, and sea shipping company equipped to get you from A to B. Visit A-1 Auto Transport today to learn more.