Project & heavy-lift cargo
Project Cargo in Dubai — Heavy Lift, Out-of-Gauge & Breakbulk
Engineered moves for cargo that doesn't fit a container — planned, permitted and delivered to site across the CIS, Europe and worldwide.
A transformer, a compressor train or a 40-metre pipe rack cannot be booked like a container. Project cargo needs engineering: the right vessel or trailer, lifting and lashing plans, route surveys, permits and a schedule that matches the site.
MEPL International is a project cargo company in Dubai handling heavy-lift, out-of-gauge and breakbulk cargo for EPC contractors, energy companies and manufacturers. From Jebel Ali we move project shipments to Russia, Kazakhstan and the CIS, Europe, Africa and between third countries — combining sea, road, rail and air as each leg requires.
What we handle
Project cargo services
As project cargo forwarders, we cover everything from a single oversized piece to a full plant shipment.
Project cargo
Equipment and materials for EPC, energy, mining and infrastructure projects — delivered in sequence to site.
Heavy-lift cargo
Single pieces beyond normal crane capacity, with engineered lifting and lashing plans.
Out-of-gauge (OOG)
Oversized cargo on flat racks, open tops or platforms, or as breakbulk.
Breakbulk & bulk
Steel, pipes, machinery, vehicles, bagged and dry bulk shipped outside containers.
Oversized road transport
Lowbeds, extendable and modular trailers with permits and escorts.
Periodic shipments
Scheduled, recurring moves on agreed lanes for ongoing projects and production.
Explained
Project, OOG, heavy-lift and breakbulk cargo — what's the difference?
What is project cargo?
Equipment and materials moved for a specific project, usually in phases and to a fixed site schedule. It often combines heavy-lift, OOG and breakbulk pieces with standard containers.
Out-of-gauge cargo
Anything longer, wider or taller than a standard container. Ships on flat racks, open tops or platforms, or as breakbulk.
Heavy-lift cargo
Single pieces heavier than normal port cranes can lift — typically 100 tonnes and above — moved on heavy-lift vessels or with floating cranes.
Breakbulk vs bulk
Breakbulk is individual pieces handled one by one; bulk is loose cargo like grain, ore or cement poured into the hold.
Project cargo examples: transformers, turbines, generators, compressors, reactors and pressure vessels, wind blades, steel structures, pipes, cranes and complete production lines.
Project logistics plan
How we plan and move project cargo
Every move starts with a written project logistics plan — so risks are found on paper, not at the port gate.
- 01
Cargo list & enquiry
Dimensions, weights, centres of gravity, lifting points, origin, site and required-on-site dates.
- 02
Route survey & feasibility
Port, road and site checks: bridges, cables, turns, ground bearing and access.
- 03
Logistics plan
Mode per leg, vessel and equipment, lifting and lashing plans, permits and schedule.
- 04
Loading & transit
Supervised loading, securing and tracking through every transhipment point.
- 05
Customs & permits
Clearance at each border, temporary import and road permits arranged in advance.
- 06
Delivery to site
Oversized road transport, escorts and placement on foundations where required.
Equipment
Vessels, containers and trailers for oversized cargo
| Option | How it works | Typical cargo |
|---|---|---|
| Flat rack (20' / 40') | Wide or long cargo on a container frame | Machinery, vehicles, steel |
| Open top (20' / 40') | Tall cargo loaded by crane from above | Machinery, timber, stone |
| Platform / bolsters | Several flat racks combined for very large pieces | Vessels, structures |
| Breakbulk vessel | Conventional ships loading piece by piece | Pipes, steel, project lots |
| Heavy-lift vessel | Ships with their own heavy cranes | Transformers, reactors, turbines |
| RoRo | Cargo driven or towed on board | Vehicles, wheeled and tracked plant |
| Lowbed & modular trailers | Road moves for heavy and oversized loads | Port-to-site delivery |
| Charter freighter | Full aircraft for urgent oversized parts | Critical spares, AOG |
Our lanes
Project cargo to Russia, the CIS and Europe
Central Asia and the Caucasus are landlocked, so oversized cargo usually travels multimodal: by sea to a gateway port, then by road or rail to site.
- Russia — all major ports, with onward road and rail
- Kazakhstan & Uzbekistan — supported by our own office in Kazakhstan
- Caucasus — Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia
- Europe — Rotterdam, Antwerp, Hamburg and Mediterranean ports
- Cross-trade — project shipments between third countries
For an accurate quote
What to send us
- Cargo list with L × W × H and weight per piece
- Drawings, centre of gravity and lifting points
- Origin and site address
- Required-on-site date
- Incoterm and who handles each end
- Any special handling or insurance needs
Project cargo has no per-kilo rate — every quote is built on the cargo and the route.
Industries we move project cargo for
Planned, not improvised
Surveys, permits and lifting plans before anything moves.
Every mode available
Sea, road, rail and air combined for each leg.
Customs at every border
Clearance and temporary import handled in-house.
CIS experience
Our own office in Kazakhstan and partners across the region.
FAQ
Project cargo — frequently asked questions
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Get a quote
Request a project cargo quote
Share your cargo list, origin, site and dates — our project team will come back with a route, method and price.
Moving something big?
Send us the cargo list — we'll plan the route, the equipment and the permits.