How Does Chinadivision Deal With Odc Cargo Transportation?

ODC Cargo (Over-dimensional Cargo) is a "love-hate" existence for B2B companies and e-commerce sellers. Whether it is wind turbine blades, oil pipelines, large machinery, or over-length building materials, the transportation demand for such over-length cargo (Overlength Cargo/Long-length Goods) is growing, but the transportation process faces pain points such as soaring costs, compliance risks, and cargo damage.

About 25% of global supply chain disruptions are related to ODC Cargo transportation, and the transportation cost of over-length cargo may be 3-5 times higher than that of ordinary cargo due to its special size. As a professional service provider who has been deeply engaged in international logistics order fulfillment for more than 10 years, the Chinadivision team handles more than 2,000 over-length cargo transportation projects each year. This article will combine real cases with cutting-edge technology to reveal the solution to ODC (Out-of-Gauge Cargo) transportation for you.

What is Overlength Cargo?

Overlength cargo refers to cargo that is longer than the standard transport equipment can carry. These cargoes usually require special transport methods and equipment to ensure safe and compliant transportation. In international logistics, the transportation of overlength cargo needs to comply with strict regulations and standards to avoid risks and delays during transportation.

Common types of overlength cargo

1. Wind turbine blades: up to tens of meters in length.
2. Large pipelines: extra-long pipelines used in the oil and gas industry.
3. Heavy machinery parts: such as crane arms, large molds, etc.
4. Overlength steel: such as long steel, large steel structures, etc.

What are the transportation methods for ODC Cargo?

Road transportation

Suitable for short-distance or regional distribution, usually using low bed trailers (Low Bed Trailers) and extendable trailers (Extendable Trailers) to carry overlength or overweight cargo.

Sea Freight

For international bulk transport, open top containers or flat rack containers are usually used to carry overlong or overweight cargo.

Air Freight Overlong Cargo

Some ODC cargo needs to be transported quickly, such as high-value machinery and equipment, which are usually specially loaded by customized cargo aircraft, but the cost of air transportation is high.

Multimodal Transport

Combining sea + road transport or air + road transport to ensure more flexible distribution in different regions.

How to choose the right mode of transport?

If the cargo is overlong but light, air transport can be selected

If the cargo is large but the delivery time is flexible, sea transport is recommended

If the transportation distance is short, road transport or rail transport is more cost-effective

Why is the transportation cost and risk of overlong cargo high?

Restrictions on transportation tools

Overlong cargo (such as steel pipes over 12 meters) cannot be loaded into standard containers and requires special vehicles/ships (such as flat racks, open top cabinets). Transport resources are scarce and expensive.

Air Freight Overlong Cargo needs to be disassembled or chartered, which is costly.

Compliance is complex

Different countries have different requirements for road transport permits for Abnormal Load (e.g., Europe needs to apply for "special escort vehicles" in advance).

Customs declaration rules for overlong cargo are vague (e.g., incorrect HS code classification may lead to cargo detention).

Loading and unloading and warehousing problems

Port lifting equipment has insufficient load/length, and the risk of cargo detention is high.

Warehouses lack special storage areas for overlong cargo, and open-air stacking is prone to rust and deformation.

Incomplete insurance coverage

Standard freight insurance does not cover the special risks of overlong cargo (such as bending and breaking), and the cost of customized insurance has increased sharply.

Timeliness is uncontrollable

Ocean transportation requires coordination of multiple ports for transit, and land transportation faces detours on height/width restricted sections, and delivery cycles fluctuate greatly.

6 core solutions for ODC Cargo transportation

Accurate classification and compliance solution design

Enterprises often confuse the definitions of Oversized Cargo and Overlength Cargo, resulting in incorrect transportation plans.

Solution:

Cargo 3D scanning + intelligent classification: Accurately measure the size of cargo through 3D modeling, and automatically match the transportation rules (such as the EU stipulates that a length of more than 18 meters requires an Abnormal Load license).

Compliance pre-review service: Check the regulations of the target country in advance (such as China's GB1589 highway limit and the US STAA standard) to avoid fines or returns.

Multimodal Transport Optimization

A single mode of transportation (such as full sea transportation) cannot meet the timeliness and cost balance of oversized freight.

Solution:

Sea-rail transport: Oversized cargo is transported by sea to the hub port and then transferred to the railway (such as the China-Europe Express) to avoid restricted highway sections.

Modular split transportation: Split oversized cargo into standard size components and assemble them on site after arriving at the destination.

Develop a detailed transportation plan, including route planning, equipment selection and time scheduling. Cooperate with professional logistics service providers to ensure the scientificity and feasibility of the transportation plan.

Special transportation tools and customized packaging

Traditional containers cause cargo to be squeezed and damaged.

Solution:

Open Top & Flat Rack: Suitable for overlong and overweight cargo, supporting top/side loading and unloading. Choose transportation equipment suitable for overlong cargo, such as low-bed trailers, telescopic trailers and multi-axle trailers.

Shockproof packaging design: For easily deformed cargo (such as fiberglass tubes), use air cushion film + steel frame fixation.

Dynamic route planning and real-time monitoring

Sudden traffic restrictions and weather changes during transportation cause delays.

Solution:

AI route planning system: Integrate traffic regulations and real-time road conditions of various countries to automatically avoid height/width restrictions.

IoT full-process tracking: Through GPS + temperature and humidity sensors, real-time warning of cargo tilt and collision risks.

Risk management and cost control

Hidden costs (such as demurrage and modification fees) are difficult to estimate.

Solution:

"All-inclusive price" contract: covers transportation, insurance, and license application, with transparent and controllable costs.

Customized insurance plan: covers special risks such as cargo deformation and disassembly losses.

Localized support for emerging markets

Ports in Southeast Asia, Africa and other places are inefficient and customs clearance is difficult.

Solution:

Localized teamwork: Establish a cooperative network with local customs clearance agents and transportation companies to shorten the detention time of goods.

Emergency transit warehouse: Set up temporary yards in hub cities to respond to sudden policy changes.

Ensure that the transportation process complies with the regulatory requirements of the destination country, including transportation licenses, special signs and safety measures. Provide detailed cargo information and transportation documents to ensure the smooth customs clearance process.

Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)

Does the sea transportation of extra-long goods require special containers?

Yes! Ordinary containers cannot load extra-long goods. Chinadivision provides open top containers, flat racks and lashing reinforcement services to ensure the safety of goods.

How to avoid customs inspection delays when transporting extra-long steel pipes?

Declare the material and purpose of the goods in advance (such as API certification for oil pipelines), and Chinadivision can assist in pre-examination of documents.

How much does it cost to transport extra-long goods by air?

The air freight cost of a 5-meter-long precision instrument is about 8-10 times that of sea freight. It is recommended to give priority to sea freight + insurance, or split it into standard size modules.

How does Chinadivision deal with ODC cargo transportation?

As a professional international logistics order fulfillment service provider, Chinadivision provides the following services to help you meet the challenges of oversized cargo transportation:

1. Professional transportation planning

Develop a detailed transportation plan based on the type of cargo and transportation needs. Choose the best transportation route to avoid unnecessary delays and costs.

2. Compliance management

Ensure that the transportation process complies with the regulatory requirements of the destination country. Assist customers in applying for necessary transportation licenses and special signs.

3. Transportation equipment and technology

Provide transportation equipment suitable for oversized cargo, such as low-bed trailers and telescopic trailers. Provide advanced transportation technology support to ensure the safety and efficiency of the transportation process.

4. Logistics cost optimization

Through the logistics management system, monitor transportation costs in real time and provide optimization suggestions. Reduce transportation costs by optimizing transportation routes and equipment use.

5. Transportation safety

Use industry-standard packaging materials and reinforcement technology to protect goods during handling and transportation. For long cargo, we will stagger the cargo on the mat, use shrink film to wrap, bundle, and affix clear external labels to ensure the integrity of the cargo and meet the scanning requirements. Develop an emergency response plan to ensure timely handling in the event of an accident.

6. Customs clearance and inspection

Provide detailed cargo information and transportation documents to ensure the smooth progress of the customs clearance process. Work with professional customs clearance agents to ensure the accuracy and completeness of customs clearance documents.

The complexity of ODC Cargo transportation requires professional matters to be left to professionals. With Chinadivision's services, you can:

Reduce more than 50% of transportation compliance risks, save 20%-35% of comprehensive logistics costs, and achieve visual management of cargo throughout the process.

If you have any questions about the transportation of over-long cargo, or need a professional solution, please feel free to contact us. Our professional team will provide you with all-round support to help you solve practical problems. Contact Chinadivision's international logistics team now to get a customized over-long cargo transportation solution to make your cross-border delivery safer and more efficient!