Project cargo logistics is the planning, coordination, and execution of large-scale freight movements involving oversized, heavy, or high-value equipment that requires specialized transportation, handling, and documentation. It includes oil rig mobilization, industrial equipment relocation, plant reconstruction logistics, heavy lift ocean freight, and out-of-gauge cargo moves — both domestically and internationally. Project cargo differs from standard freight in that every move requires custom engineering, routing, and multi-party coordination rather than a repeatable booking process.
Most logistics providers are built for repeatability. Same freight type, same lanes, same process, scaled up. That works well until the cargo is a 300-tonne reactor vessel, a fully disassembled drilling rig headed for export, or an industrial plant being reconstructed on a different continent.
At that point you need a team that has done it before — not a team reading from a playbook they wrote for simpler freight.
Total Connection's project cargo division has executed some of the most complex freight moves in the industry. Full drilling rig dismantlement, refurbishment, and export to Brazil. Heavy industrial equipment relocations across international borders. Plant reconstruction logistics from decommissioning through final equipment placement. Out-of-gauge cargo on specialized vessels across every major trade lane.
We handle every piece of it in-house, under one point of contact, from the first planning call to final delivery confirmation. When you work with us on a project cargo move, you're not managing a chain of subcontractors and hoping the handoffs work. You're working with one team that owns the whole outcome.
Who we work with
Oil & gas operators
Drilling rig mobilization and demobilization. Oilfield equipment export and import. Completion equipment moves between domestic locations. International project logistics for operators with assets in multiple countries.
Industrial manufacturers
Heavy machinery relocation — domestic and international. Plant-to-plant equipment transfers. New equipment installation logistics from port of entry to final placement. Decommissioned equipment export.
EPC contractors
Full project logistics support for engineering, procurement, and construction contractors managing complex industrial construction projects. From equipment sourcing logistics through on-site delivery and placement coordination.
Plant reconstruction and relocation projects
Complete logistics management for industrial plant relocations — decommissioning, dismantlement, transportation, ocean freight where required, and reconstruction logistics at the new site. One of the most complex logistics categories in the industry and one of the least well-served by standard freight providers.
Our project cargo services
Heavy lift & OOG freight
Domestic and international transportation of oversized and overweight cargo — crane lifts, specialized trailers, permit loads, and out-of-gauge ocean freight on flat racks, open tops, and multipurpose vessels.
Oil rig mobilization & logistics
End-to-end rig move management — from dismantlement and component sourcing through refurbishment, certification, ocean freight, and delivery to the new operating location.
Industrial equipment shipping
Heavy machinery relocation for manufacturers and industrial operators — domestic heavy haul, international ocean freight, port handling coordination, and final placement logistics.
Plant relocation & reconstruction logistics
Full-scope logistics for industrial plant relocations — decommissioning logistics, component transportation, international shipping where required, and reconstruction logistics at the destination site.
RoRo and LoLo cargo
Specialized ocean freight solutions for wheeled and non-wheeled project cargo — RoRo vessel arrangements for mobile equipment and LoLo heavy lift vessel solutions for fixed machinery and structures.
What makes project cargo different — and why the provider matters more than in standard freight
In standard freight, a bad booking costs you a delayed delivery. In project cargo, a bad decision costs you a missed installation window, a crane that's unavailable at port, a permit that wasn't pulled for an oversized load, or a vessel that won't accept the cargo dimensions after you've committed to a project timeline.
The margin for error in project cargo logistics is essentially zero — because the downstream consequences of a logistics failure are measured in project delays, contractor standby costs, and production start-up dates, not just freight charges.
The difference between working with a project cargo specialist and a general freight provider is the difference between a team that has solved these problems before and a team that is encountering them for the first time on your project.
We've encountered them before. Many times. That experience is what you're getting when you work with Total Connection on project cargo.
A project that shows what we mean
A complete drilling rig refurbishment, dismantlement, and export from Marlow, Oklahoma to Brazil via the Watco terminal at Houston Port. Months of preparation. Component sourcing and testing. API quality certification for every major component. Crane operator sourcing and qualification. Multi-party coordination across the refurbishment facility, the terminal, and the ocean carrier. Full export documentation and international customs coordination.
All of it managed under a single point of contact. Delivered on time and within budget.
That's not a case study we tell because it was unusual for us. We tell it because it illustrates exactly what project cargo logistics looks like when it's done right — and what it requires from the team managing it.
What is project cargo and how is it different from standard freight?
Project cargo refers to large, complex freight moves involving oversized, overweight, or high-value equipment that requires custom transportation solutions rather than standard booking processes. Unlike standard freight where the same process repeats across similar shipments, project cargo requires custom route surveys, specialized equipment sourcing, permit coordination, multi-party logistics management, and often engineering input. Each project cargo move is essentially unique.
What industries does Total Connection serve for project cargo?
We provide project cargo logistics for oil and gas operators, industrial manufacturers, EPC (engineering, procurement, and construction) contractors, and companies undertaking industrial plant relocation and reconstruction projects. Our project cargo experience spans petrochemical, power generation, mining, manufacturing, and heavy industrial sectors — domestically and internationally.
Do you handle both domestic and international project cargo?
Yes. Total Connection manages project cargo domestically — heavy haul trucking, permit loads, crane coordination, and equipment relocation across the US — and internationally through ocean freight on specialized vessels, international port coordination, customs documentation, and in-country logistics coordination at destination. Many of our project cargo engagements involve both domestic and international legs under a single managed scope.
What is the typical lead time for planning a project cargo move?
Lead time depends heavily on cargo complexity, route requirements, vessel availability, and permit requirements. For straightforward heavy haul domestic moves, 2 to 4 weeks of lead time is typically sufficient. For complex international project cargo — particularly moves involving specialized vessel arrangements, port engineering, or multi-country coordination — 3 to 6 months of lead time is more appropriate. We recommend engaging us as early as possible in the project planning cycle so logistics constraints can be identified before they become project schedule risks.
How do you handle permitting for oversized and overweight domestic project cargo?
Oversized and overweight domestic shipments require permits from each state through which the load travels, and in some cases county and municipal permits for specific roads or bridges. Requirements vary by state and by load dimensions and weight. Total Connection manages the full permit application process — route survey, permit applications, escort vehicle coordination, and any required engineering certifications for the load configuration.
Can you manage project cargo for plant reconstruction projects?
Yes — and this is a capability that relatively few logistics providers genuinely offer. Plant reconstruction logistics requires managing the decommissioning and dismantlement of equipment at the origin site, transportation of components domestically or internationally, sequenced delivery to the reconstruction site aligned with the installation schedule, and coordination with the EPC contractor and construction team on delivery timing and placement logistics. We manage the full scope as a single integrated logistics program.
