MIDTRANS SHIPPING AND SERVICES · Established 1998Syria, UAE, Dubai, Jebel Ali, China, Turkey, Europe
MIDTRANSSHIPPING AND SERVICES
EN
TrackContactLoginGet Quote

Projects and heavy cargo

What does not fit a standard container: shipping machinery and heavy loads to Syria on flat racks

When a piece is too wide, too tall or too heavy for a standard container, the answer is a flat rack: a strong floor with no roof and no sides, on which the cargo is loaded and secured. This is how we plan such a shipment, from lashing to delivery inside Syria.

For machinery and large piecesSecuring and photos before departureDelivery inside Syria
Request a freight quoteContact our operations desk

Published · MIDTRANS SHIPPING AND SERVICES

Reviewed by Khaldoun Al-Khouli, General Manager

In this updateFlat rack shipments

From loading to your site

Project cargoLatakia or Tartous?Request a quote
When you need one

When the piece exceeds a standard container or must be loaded from the top or side.

What we need

Dimensions, weight, lifting points, centre of gravity and photos.

Securing

Lashing and bracing suited to the shape and weight before it leaves.

Arrival

Tartous for bulk and heavy pieces, then transport to your site.

When

When do you need a flat rack?

A flat rack is a reinforced floor with two end walls, some of them collapsible, and no roof or sides. It is used when the cargo is wider or taller than a standard container door, or when it has to be loaded by crane from above or from the side.

Common examples: production lines and industrial machines, generators and transformers, heavy vehicles, steel structures and long pieces. Flat racks come in roughly 20 ft and 40 ft lengths, and the allowed payload varies by shipping line and container.

  • Pieces wider or taller than a standard container
  • Crane loading from above or the side
  • Heavy machines, equipment and structures
Illustrative image
Illustrative image

Planning

The information we need before booking

A heavy shipment is planned on exact figures. Send us the length, width and height of each piece, the actual weight, where the lifting points are, the centre of gravity if known, and clear photos of the piece from several sides.

If a piece exceeds the flat rack's width or height it becomes out-of-gauge cargo, which needs special approval from the shipping line and extra arrangements. So we check the dimensions first, then confirm the equipment and the route.

  • Exact dimensions of each piece
  • Weight, lifting points and centre of gravity
  • Photos from several sides

Securing

Loading and securing before the shipment leaves

A flat rack has no walls to protect the cargo, so securing is what keeps it safe for the whole voyage. We plan lashing and bracing for the shape and weight of the piece, check how the load is spread across the floor, and protect sensitive parts from water and chafing.

We photograph the loading before departure so the condition of the cargo is on record. For this kind of shipment in particular we recommend cargo insurance.

In Syria

From the port to your site

For bulk and heavy pieces we mostly use the port of Tartous, while standard containers mostly go to Latakia. We explained the difference in Latakia or Tartous?.

After customs clearance we arrange inland transport on a truck suited to the weight and dimensions, up to your site in Damascus, Homs, Aleppo or elsewhere. Details of the service are on project cargo, and for a price send the details through a quote request.

  • Mostly Tartous for heavy pieces
  • Customs clearance at the port
  • Inland transport on a suitable truck to site
Share this article

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is a flat rack container?

A reinforced floor with two end walls and no roof or sides, used for cargo that is wider or taller than a standard container or that is loaded by crane.

What do you need to quote a heavy shipment?

The dimensions and weight of each piece, the lifting points, the centre of gravity if known, clear photos, the port of loading and the delivery site in Syria.

What if the piece is bigger than a flat rack?

It becomes out-of-gauge cargo and needs approval from the shipping line and special arrangements. We check the dimensions and confirm the available option.

Which Syrian port do heavy pieces arrive at?

Mostly Tartous. After clearance we move them to your site inside Syria.

Have a machine or a large piece to ship?

Send us the dimensions, weight, photos and delivery site, and we will plan the shipment and send you a price.

Request a freight quoteContact our operations desk
TrackQuoteChat with us