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Project cargo means the complete logistics of a construction or assembly project: steel structures, machinery, materials and equipment delivered in stages, in the order dictated by the build schedule. The difference from ordinary transport is simple: delivering is not enough; you must deliver in the right order, to a site with limited space, in a window where the crane is waiting.
Why does sites forgive less than warehouse?
- A construction site has no racking: whatever arrives too early is in the way; whatever arrives too late stops the assembly.
- The crane and the fitting crew cost money whether or not the truck has arrived.
- Structural elements can be out of gauge: permits and a route checked for clearances are needed.
- On a site abroad add customs clearance and sometimes an ATA carnet for equipment that comes back.
How do we plan project cargo?
We start from the assembly schedule, not from a list of trucks. From it follow the delivery sequence, batch sizes and the required fleet: standard sets, flatbeds for structures, vans for tools and small items. Unloading windows are agreed with the site manager, and out-of-gauge elements run as a separate permits-and-pilots thread, described in the out-of-gauge loads service.
Transporting steel structures
Structures travel on flatbeds, with securing agreed around lifting points so the crane takes each element without re-slinging. The loading order mirrors the assembly order: what comes off first travels on top of the last truck, not at the bottom of the first one.
Crews, tools and top-ups
Alongside the main deliveries we handle small consignments: tools, fasteners, supplementary materials. This is where express vans earn their keep, because shortages on site tend to surface on Friday afternoon. The service base is described under construction site deliveries, and what happens when customs stops the gear at the border, in the story of a crew that stands and waits.
One responsibility
In project cargo the joints are the expensive part: between carriers, the customs agency and the site. So we run the whole thing as one project, with one operational contact and a 24/7 desk.
How do you manage time buffers and staging areas before site delivery?
When a heavy crane operates on site, a truck arrival delay of just 15 minutes halts the entire assembly crew. For this reason, you schedule the delivery slot within a strict 15-minute window, but route the vehicle via an off-site staging area located no more than 15 km or 30 minutes driving time from the jobsite. The driver checks in at the staging point 2 hours prior to the slot. The site manager calls the vehicle forward only when the previous articulated lorry clears the crane pad. Standard free time for offloading a trailer is 2 hours, after which hourly demurrage charges apply.
Deliveries carrying structural loads over 24,000 kg or transport units exceeding 16.5 metres in total length require site access pre-clearance at least 48 hours before arrival. This window is necessary to verify ground load limits on temporary access roads and clear physical obstacles inside the site perimeter.
This mandatory staging requirement does not apply to small direct deliveries under 3 pallets or light commercial vehicles up to 3,500 kg Gross Vehicle Weight. Such consignments proceed directly to the local drop zone and are offloaded via site forklift outside the main crane operating radius.
Step by step
- Analyse the assembly schedule. You start logistics planning by determining the exact sequence of installation on site.
- Verify routes and clearances. You check physical route constraints for oversized goods and secure required road permits.
- Schedule delivery time windows. You coordinate truck arrival times strictly with crane availability and fitting crews.
- Prepare customs clearance. You arrange standard customs formalities and an ATA carnet for returning equipment.
- Monitor transport execution. You track progress at every stage to prevent site congestion and installation delays.
Definitions
- Project cargo: The complete logistics management of a construction or installation project delivered in stages following the build schedule.
- Out-of-gauge transport: The movement of goods exceeding standard legal dimensions or weight limits for road vehicles.
- Transport clearance: The maximum permissible outer profile of a vehicle and load to safely pass under bridges and overhead lines.
- ATA Carnet (Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission): An international customs document allowing temporary export of equipment without paying duties or taxes.
The OTSL role
OTSL coordinates staged site deliveries using our UK facility in Milton Keynes alongside operations in Kielce. If your site requires moving oversized components, discover our out-of-gauge loads services. In cases where urgent tools are needed on site without delay, learn more about express vans and time-critical transport in Europe.
