Heavy shipping: top challenges and how to choose the best heavy transport company in Saudi Arabia

Have you ever seen massive pieces of equipment and machinery inside construction sites and factories and wondered how they made their way to their current location?!

Well, industrial equipment, heavy machinery, and construction materials are all items that fall under heavy shipping due to their massive size and weight, which requires them to be transported according to specific procedures followed during loading, unloading, and delivery operations through shipping companies in Jeddah or various shipping companies in Saudi Arabia.

The heavy shipping industry faces numerous challenges, including high shipping costs, careful planning of routes, timings, and ports, and management of resources and logistics. This is in addition to complying with special requirements for heavy cargo, including special licenses, and implementing strict security procedures to maintain the safety of workers and goods during transport.

Let's shed light on the most important topics related to heavy shipping, starting with the definitions.

What is Heavy Haulage?

The term Heavy Haulage refers to the transportation of goods with large sizes and heavy weights that exceed the standard limits of conventional shipping. This type of shipment requires customized planning and innovative logistics services to facilitate the transportation process from one point to another and deliver it in the fastest time and best quality.

What are the allowed weight and size limits for heavy shipping?

Trucks are allowed a total load not exceeding 45 tons, including the weight of the vehicle. In terms of dimensions, a length of up to 12 meters, a width not exceeding 2.6 meters, and a maximum height of 4.2 meters from the road surface are allowed. If the load exceeds these limits, it is classified as heavy shipping or exceptional load, requiring a special permit from the Ministry of Transport, along with adherence to safety conditions and the determination of appropriate routes.

What is considered heavy shipping?

Heavy shipping includes all types of goods that exceed the permitted weights or dimensions in conventional shipping and require special equipment and gear for safe transportation. This includes, for example:

• Industrial machinery

Including large generators, turbines, valves, and other industrial equipment that require special transport.

• Heavy equipment

Including large excavators, heavy bulldozers, huge forklifts, large agricultural tractors, huge hydraulic excavators, etc.

• Heavy cargo

Such as cars and machinery.

• Furniture

Office, home, commercial, or otherwise.

It is worth noting that the process of heavy shipping for goods goes through many important stages, the most prominent of which we review in this paragraph.

What is the Heavy Shipping Cycle?

The heavy shipping cycle refers to the series of stages that large-sized or heavy-weight goods go through during their transport from the source to the destination, often including industrial equipment, huge containers, and vehicles. This cycle is characterized by its logistical complexities and need for special preparations as it involves many stages, the most important of which are:

• Planning and Preparation Stage:

In this stage, the required route for transporting heavy goods is determined, and the necessary means and equipment for carrying out the operation are specified. The roads and bridges used are also evaluated to see if they meet the legal and technical requirements for transporting goods.

• Preparation and Loading Stage:

This stage includes preparing the goods for transport in terms of suitable packaging, and providing the necessary protection for heavy goods. After that, the necessary equipment is used to safely and steadily load the goods onto the trucks to avoid damage during transport.

• Transport and Movement Stage:

In this stage, the actual transportation of heavy goods from the shipping location to its destination is carried out, with drivers taking caution while driving and adhering to traffic laws and security instructions during the journey.

• Unloading Stage:

After the truck arrives at its destination, the heavy goods are unloaded, where workers use appropriate equipment to carefully remove the load and move it to the specified location.

• Inspection and Evaluation Stage:

After unloading, an inspection is conducted to ensure the safety of the truck and the load and to verify if there are any damages or problems.

These are generally the stages that heavy shipments go through for safe transport, and they may vary based on the individual circumstances and local and international requirements for each heavy shipping case. You might ask:

What licenses are required for transporting heavy shipments inside Saudi Arabia?

To transport heavy shipments within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a set of licenses and regulatory procedures must be adhered to to ensure the safety of roads and infrastructure, including:

• Exceptional Load Permit, which is required when transporting loads that exceed the permitted dimensions or weights.

• Vehicle Operating Card: The truck used for transport must have a valid operating card, issued by the Public Transport Authority.

• Activity Practice License: The transporting establishment must be licensed to practice the activity of transporting goods, according to the regulation governing the activity of transporting goods, shipping intermediaries, and renting trucks on public roads.

What are Heavy Shipping Companies and the Factors for Choosing the Best?

In short, they are service providers specialized in transporting heavy or bulky goods using strategies, mechanisms, and technologies that enable them to strategically move these types of goods from one point to another and deliver them at specified times with the best possible quality.

Given the multitude of companies operating in this sector, it is necessary to consider many factors when choosing the best heavy shipping company that will be able to meet your needs and requirements. Among these factors are:

First: Experience:

This is one of the most important factors that must be considered when comparing and choosing among available heavy shipping companies, as experience reflects the level of knowledge and skill the company possesses in the heavy transport sector and shipping heavy goods, and delivering them with the best quality and fastest time. Here are some important aspects to consider when evaluating the experience of the chosen company:

• Knowledge of regulating laws and regulations: It is essential to ensure the level of knowledge of the selected shipping companies regarding local and international laws and regulations related to the transport of heavy goods to avoid legal problems and facilitate the shipping process.

• Choosing appropriate means for transporting heavy goods: The ability of the chosen company to meet the requirements and select the ideal means of transport based on the type, size, and weight of the goods must be tested to safely and effectively transport the shipments. This may require the use of trucks with integrated forklifts, traditional trucks, or marine vessels, among other multiple means of transport. The experience of specialized shipping companies in this sector helps in determining the optimal choice for professional goods transport.

• Dealing with Challenges: Heavy shipping can face many challenges such as overweight, large dimensions, and long distances. Therefore, a seasoned heavy shipping company with sufficient experience to deal with these challenges and identify appropriate solutions should be chosen to ensure the smooth transportation of goods with the least possible impact.

In general, the experience possessed by the chosen heavy shipping company contributes to providing professional and effective services in the field of heavy transport. If you are looking for a heavy shipping company, it is important to ensure that the company has a proven track record in this sector and possesses the necessary expertise to deal with the requirements of heavy shipments. It is also useful to inquire about examples of heavy shipping operations the company has provided in the past, what challenges it faced, and how it dealt with them.

Second: Possession of Necessary Resources:

This important factor must be considered when comparing and choosing among multiple heavy shipping companies. The chosen company should possess the equipment, tools, infrastructure, and human capabilities that qualify it to execute heavy shipping operations professionally and deliver goods at specified times with high quality.

Therefore, it is necessary to ensure the availability of these elements in the chosen shipping company. For example, goods may require heavy trucks equipped with strong cranes or lifting systems, special trailers that fit the dimensions and weight of the shipments, and loading and unloading tools. This is in addition to the availability of infrastructure, including warehouses, temporary storage facilities, loading and unloading areas, and other necessary logistics facilities to facilitate and organize heavy shipping operations. In addition to:

• Possession of qualified and trained human resources to handle heavy shipping operations, including drivers trained in driving heavy vehicles, lifting, loading, and unloading teams, and technical support teams.

• The ability to meet increasing heavy shipping needs without affecting service quality and performance.

• Commitment to periodic inspection and maintenance programs for vehicles used in heavy transport operations to avoid problems that may arise and disrupt workflow.

Possessing the necessary resources enhances the shipping company's ability to provide high-quality heavy shipping services according to customer requirements, and contributes to ensuring the safety of goods and delivering them efficiently and effectively.

Third: Geographic Coverage:

This is also a crucial factor in the process of comparing and choosing among heavy shipping companies. The chosen company should be present in the targeted areas and locations, and have a wide network covering major regions, ports, airports, and important logistical centers.

It should also have the ability to deal with various geographical challenges. For example, there are geographical areas that require special knowledge of local legislation, licenses, and weight and dimension restrictions. There are also unpaved roads or remote areas that require special equipment to transport heavy goods. All of these are challenges that necessitate customized solutions to overcome them and deliver shipments in the fastest time and best quality.

Fourth: Safety and Insurance Policies Followed:

Various heavy transport companies put in place a set of policies aimed at ensuring the safety of goods and compensating for any potential losses during transport and shipping operations. Heavy shipping companies offer cargo insurance to protect customers and the company itself from any potential losses during the transport process. Insurance coverage includes damage to goods, loss, theft, or delay in delivery, and the extent of coverage and the value of insurance depend on the policy of the chosen company and the type of shipments transported.

Therefore, it is necessary to check the available insurance policies and ensure that they meet your needs before contracting with the shipping company. In general, safety and insurance policies in heavy shipping companies must be comprehensive, reliable, and compliant with legal standards and requirements, and cooperation with the transporting company is essential to ensure the correct implementation of safety procedures and the provision of appropriate insurance to protect goods and reduce potential risks.

Fifth: Customer Service:

The chosen heavy shipping company must have high-quality customer service to deal with problems and answer inquiries and questions in real-time, and provide multiple communication channels such as mobile, email, and live chat to meet customer needs quickly and effectively.

This is in addition to the necessity of having advanced systems for effectively tracking and monitoring shipments, monitoring their movement, and knowing their location, status, and expected delivery times.

Based on these factors, we provide you with some models and recommendations for heavy shipping companies below.

Examples of some of the best heavy transport companies in Saudi Arabia 2024:

First, we point out that this list of shipping company names does not represent any real classification of heavy shipping companies, but rather they are merely suggestive recommendations and models we offer you based on the factors mentioned. Here is the list:

• MLC Go Company.

MLC Go is one of the most prominent road transport and shipping companies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The company was founded in 2019 and since then has dedicated its efforts to providing the best heavy land transport and shipping services between different cities and regions within Saudi Arabia. The company is distinguished by its use of modern technologies in monitoring and follow-up operations to ensure the safe and fast arrival of goods to customers.

• GLT Express Company.

GLT Express is a pioneer in transport and shipping services in Saudi Arabia, having started its operations more than 8 years ago. The company is characterized by providing transport services inside and outside Saudi Arabia to various countries in the region. GLT Express has also earned a good reputation among its customers, demonstrated by its commitment to delivery times and quick response to customer needs.

• Zajil Company.

Zajil Company is one of the most prominent companies specialized in heavy transport and shipping services within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The company was founded in 1990 and since then has focused on meeting the needs of the industry, trade, and individual sectors for transport services in all its categories. Zajil Company also owns a developed fleet of various heavy trucks and equipment for transporting goods and containers inside and outside the Kingdom.

• Flow Company.

Flow Company is one of the leading companies in providing sea and land transport and shipping services within Saudi Arabia. The company owns a large fleet of ships, vessels, and trucks equipped with the latest tracking and monitoring technologies. The company always strives to provide a unique experience for its customers by ensuring the speed and accuracy of shipment delivery in addition to its commitment to high levels of service and safety.

• Octovan Company.

Octovan Company is considered one of the most prominent companies specialized in heavy sea and land transport in Saudi Arabia, founded in 2017 and quickly expanded to become one of the largest companies in the transport sector. The company is characterized by the diversity of its services, which include local and international transport, in addition to its ability to meet the requests of customers from individuals and large companies by offering the best prices and the latest logistics and shipping services.

We draw your attention to the fact that you can easily connect and deal directly with these companies, among more than 400 local and international shipping companies, by simply creating a free account on the Oto platform, the integrated and leading shipping gateway in the Arab world that allows you to obtain various shipping services, including heavy, refrigerated, express, standard, international, and others, at reduced prices. This is in addition to the ability to smoothly ship, manage, track, analyze, and retrieve your orders through a single, easy, and simple control panel.

What are the factors affecting the determination of heavy shipping prices in Saudi Arabia?

Heavy shipping prices in Saudi Arabia are affected by several essential factors that determine the total cost of transporting the load and vary according to the type of goods and the shipping route. Among the most prominent of these factors are:

• The weight and size of the load: The greater the weight or size of the shipment exceeds the regulatory limits, the higher the permit fees and operating cost, especially if it needs special equipment or security escort.

• Type of road and distance: Additional fees are calculated based on the length of the road used and its classification (single, double, express). A fee is charged for every kilometer the vehicle travels.

• Exceptional dimensions: An additional financial مقابل is calculated for every meter or centimeter exceeding the standard length, width, or height.

• Origin and destination: Prices vary according to geographical areas; shipping to remote or mountainous areas is often higher than within major cities.

• Safety and equipment requirements, including the need for special cranes, support equipment, or traffic escort, which increase the final cost.

• Permits and government fees.

What are the types of transport methods relied upon in heavy shipping?

There are many types of transport methods relied upon in heavy shipping operations, and the means of transport used varies based on the type of goods, the distance traveled, cost, and other logistical conditions. In general, the types of heavy transport methods include the following:

• Heavy Trucks:

These are one of the most used means of transport in heavy shipping due to their ability to carry large loads and reach different locations. There is a variety of heavy truck types such as traditional trucks, trailers, container trucks, and trucks with integrated forklifts.

• Trains:

These are used to transport heavy goods across land domestically or internationally, and they are characterized by their ability to carry massive loads at low shipping costs compared to other means of transport.

• Marine Vessels:

These are used in heavy shipping to transport goods across oceans and seas by relying on large shipping containers and marine vessels dedicated to transporting heavy goods. Marine vessels are an effective shipping method for large shipments and covering long distances.

• Inland Vessels and Barges:

These are internal means of transport used in heavy shipping through rivers and internal canals. This method is suitable for transporting heavy and large-sized goods within the country and between areas far from seaports.

• Aircraft:

These are used to transport heavy goods at high speed and over long distances, and they are usually relied upon in emergency cases such as military or industrial supplies.

We would like to point out that commercial activities face many challenges in transporting heavy goods and moving them strategically from one point to another, and we review the most prominent of them below.

The most prominent challenges facing commercial activities in heavy shipping and their solutions

There are many challenges facing commercial activities in shipping heavy goods, and the most prominent of them are:

1. Compliance with binding laws and regulations:

Heavy shipping, due to its special nature, is subject to many strict and binding laws and regulations for transporting heavy goods on both local and international levels. These laws include, for example:

• Traffic regulations and laws that regulate the maximum speed, size of trucks, and conditions for loading and unloading heavy goods.

• General regulations that guarantee the application of safety standards.

• Environmental laws that regulate harmful emissions and waste disposal methods.

Commercial activities must comply with these laws and regulations and obtain the necessary licenses and permits to execute heavy shipping operations with efficiency and high quality and ensure the safety of workers and goods during transport. To overcome this challenge, it is necessary to:

• Review all regulatory regulations and laws for the heavy shipping process within the countries of origin and destination to adhere to them and avoid problems that may arise during transport, which may lead to penalties and fines, or prevent the shipment of goods, or detain them in customs.

• Ensure the availability of suitable infrastructure for storage, loading, unloading, and transport, and good coordination between the various concerned parties involved in the heavy shipping process.

• Be aware of various potential risks during the heavy transport process and develop proactive procedures to manage these risks professionally.

• Rely on innovative technologies and systems to analyze data, monitor the movements of heavy shipments, and ensure their compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

2. High Operating Costs:

This is one of the main challenges facing commercial activities specialized in selling heavy goods, as heavy shipping requires specialized transport and unloading means, which leads to high operating costs and subsequently high shipping costs for heavy goods.

This is due to several factors, including, for example:

• Fuel cost: This is one of the most prominent factors affecting heavy shipping costs. The price of fuel can be affected by many things, including fluctuations in global oil prices and government policies. In addition, governments may impose additional fees on fuel used in heavy transport or apply restrictions on its use, which increases shipping costs.

• Maintenance costs: Heavy shipping requires maintaining vehicles and equipment in good condition and fit for work, and this requires periodic maintenance of trucks and heavy equipment used in the heavy transport process, including replacing parts and tires regularly, and engine maintenance, which increases operating costs.

• Investment costs in technology and infrastructure: Commercial activities may need to invest in modern technology and develop infrastructure to facilitate heavy shipping operations. These costs include, for example, purchasing monitoring and tracking systems, developing logistics management programs, and investing in updating ships, trucks, and heavy equipment. These costs can be expensive and represent an additional burden on commercial activities regarding shipping costs.

You can use these tips to overcome this challenge:

• Enhance fuel efficiency by training drivers in economic driving, and using fuel-saving technologies such as automatic engine stop technology in the event of long stops.

• Rely on implementing regular preventive maintenance programs for vehicles and equipment to help reduce high maintenance costs.

• Use external resources such as shipping gateways like Oto, the leading shipping gateway in the Arab world, to reduce shipping costs and connect with the best available heavy shipping companies.

• Invest in technology to improve the efficiency of logistical operations and reduce the necessary labor. For example, you can use transport and tracking management systems to monitor heavy shipments and improve route planning and delivery schedules.

3. On-Time Delivery:

This challenge is also one of the biggest challenges facing commercial activities when shipping heavy goods, as many obstacles must be overcome, which include, for example:

• Accessing the appropriate and ideal road network for transporting heavy goods.

• Delays in customs procedures.

• Weather constraints and environmental conditions.

• Time pressures and tight schedules.

To overcome this challenge and deliver heavy shipments on time, you can follow these tips:

• Rely on good logistical planning to achieve on-time delivery of heavy shipments. It is necessary to determine the best routes and schedules for shipments, and coordinate operations between various concerned parties such as shippers, shipping companies, and transport agents.

• Invest in improving infrastructure and developing heavy transport methods to enhance the ability to deliver on time.

• Stay up-to-date with customs requirements, export regulations, and required documents to avoid unexpected delays for heavy shipments.

• Put in place necessary procedures to maintain the safety of heavy shipments and secure them under difficult environmental conditions.

• Rely on specialized and experienced heavy shipping companies in this sector to ensure the delivery of your shipments at the specified times.

4. Risk Management and Public Safety Enhancement:

Potential risks increase with the transportation of heavy goods, necessitating the application of additional procedures to ensure the safety of shipments, workers, and the environment, which represents a major challenge for commercial activities operating in this sector. It is necessary to manage potential risks professionally to prevent injuries or fatalities, God forbid, or cause environmental pollution.

To overcome this challenge, commercial activities must:

• Evaluate potential risks that may face heavy shipping operations, including identifying potential risks such as personal injuries, material damage, and environmental impacts. By evaluating risks, strategies can be developed to deal with them and minimize them.

• Provide appropriate training for employees involved in heavy shipping operations to be aware of safety procedures and special instructions for heavy transport, including the use of protective equipment and proper procedures for lifting and loading heavy shipments, in addition to promoting awareness of potential risks and correct ways to act in case of emergencies.

• Pay attention to the periodic maintenance of equipment and vehicles used in heavy shipping operations, and train workers on how to check the condition of the equipment and identify any potential problems before using it in shipping operations.

• Pay attention to the quality of packaging and wrapping for heavy goods by using ideal and high-quality packaging materials resistant to shocks, vibrations, and potential environmental conditions, to ensure their safety during transport.

• Enhance communication and cooperation between all concerned parties in heavy shipping operations, including operators, customers, logistics providers, and regulatory authorities for continuous communication and exchange of information related to safety and risk management.

In Conclusion,

The heavy shipping sector has witnessed significant development over the years until it reached its current form by adapting available technological capabilities to transport heavy goods and move them from one point to another easily and smoothly, as well as improving the efficiency of operational processes and reducing costs. For example, containerization loadable on trucks and ships revolutionized the marine shipping industry, facilitating loading and unloading and improving transport speed.

Perhaps one of the most prominent challenges now, which various heavy shipping companies seek to overcome, is the environmental challenges represented by pollution resulting from carbon dioxide emissions and the environmental impacts of loading and unloading. This has led to the emergence of a new trend towards developing more sustainable transport solutions by relying on more efficient means of transport and adopting new technologies such as clean energy.

Therefore, you should choose a heavy shipping company that keeps pace with these developments in the heavy transport sector to ensure environmental safety and enhance the efficiency of the transport process and deliver goods quickly and effectively.