Out of Gauge Cargo Transport
Cargo too big for a standard container, shipped on flat racks, open tops or breakbulk
Each piece matched to the right equipment and sailing, with abnormal load road legs to and from the port.
- Flat racks and open tops
- Lost slot charges explained
- Road legs arranged
What is Out of Gauge Cargo?
Out of gauge (OOG) cargo is any shipment that is too wide, too tall or too long to fit inside a standard shipping container. It is mostly a sea freight term, but OOG cargo usually also needs special road transport to and from the port.
A standard container is about 2.35 m wide and 2.39 m high inside, or 2.69 m high for a high cube. Cargo that goes beyond those limits ships on specialist equipment: flat rack containers with no sides or roof, open top containers loaded from above, or platforms. Larger pieces move as breakbulk or on heavy lift vessels.
Typical OOG cargo includes machinery, vehicles, boats, generators, tanks, pipes, steel structures and mining equipment.
Talk to an OOG Cargo Specialist
Get expert advice on oversized cargo planning, equipment, and transport
Out of gauge cargo at a glance
Watch out for: container door openings are smaller than the inside of the box: about 2.34 m wide and 2.28 m high on a standard container. Cargo that fits inside may still not fit through the doors.
Benefits of Out of Gauge Cargo Transport
Ship without dismantling
Large items can often travel assembled, saving time and the risk of reassembly at destination.
Regular container services
Flat racks and open tops sail on scheduled container ships, so OOG cargo can use mainstream routes.
The right option for each size
Flat racks, open tops, platforms, breakbulk or ro-ro, compared on cost and risk.
Door to door
Road moves, port handling, lashing and customs planned together.
Why Choose Qube Cargo for Out of Gauge Transport
We are a UK freight forwarder, not a call centre. You deal with the same small team from the first drawing to final delivery.
Options compared
We quote the realistic options for your cargo, such as flat rack versus breakbulk, so you can choose.
Lashing and securing
Cargo is secured to the equipment by specialists, to the weight and centre of gravity of each piece.
Road legs handled
Abnormal load haulage to and from the port, with permits and escorts.
Worldwide
OOG shipments to and from ports around the world, with customs at both ends.
Talk to a person
Call us on 07544 381501.
Out of Gauge Transport Solutions We Provide
- OOG Sea Freight (Flat Rack & Breakbulk)
Transport via flat rack containers or breakbulk shipping for oversized cargo.
- Heavy Haulage & Road Transport
Specialist road transport using low loaders and extendable trailers.
- Project Cargo & Multi-Leg Movements
Complex logistics involving multiple transport modes and routes.
- Route Surveys & Feasibility Planning
Assessment of infrastructure, access, and transport viability.
- Permits, Compliance & Documentation
Full coordination of regulatory approvals and documentation.
Container sizes and OOG options
Whether cargo is out of gauge depends on the inside and door dimensions of the container. These are typical figures.
20ft standard
Inside about 5.90 m long, 2.35 m wide and 2.39 m high. Door about 2.34 m wide and 2.28 m high.
40ft standard
Inside about 12.03 m long, with the same width and height as a 20ft.
40ft high cube
Inside about 2.69 m high, with a door about 2.58 m high. Useful for cargo that is only slightly too tall.
Open top
No fixed roof. Over-height cargo is loaded from above by crane and covered with a tarpaulin.
Flat rack
Ends but no sides or roof. Takes cargo that is over-width, over-height or both, including heavy machinery.
Platform
A flat base with no ends, for long or very wide items.
How We Deliver Out of Gauge Cargo Transport
1. Dimensions and drawings
We need the length, width, height, weight, lifting points and centre of gravity for each piece.
2. Equipment and sailing
We choose flat rack, open top, platform or breakbulk and book space with a carrier that accepts the cargo.
3. Road move to port
The cargo is collected and delivered to the port, with abnormal load permits if needed.
4. Loading and lashing
Cargo is lifted onto the equipment and lashed, then loaded on board.
5. Discharge and delivery
We arrange discharge, customs clearance and the road move to the final site.
Groupage
Next Day
Hazardous
Drop Shipping
Freight Insurance
Customs Clearance
Rail Freight
Container Haulage
eCommerce
Global Out of Gauge Cargo Transport Coverage
We coordinate Out of Gauge transport across the UK, Europe, and worldwide, supporting complex cargo movements across multiple regions.
- Europe – From the UK and Ireland through to Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean, including complex cross-border routes.
- Asia – Including the Middle East, South-East Asia, and Central Asia, with full permit and route planning support.
- North & South America – From major ports to inland and rural destinations requiring specialist access.
- Africa – Coastal hubs and challenging inland routes, including mining and infrastructure projects.
- Australasia & Oceania – Including Australia, New Zealand and remote island territories requiring specialist heavy haulage solutions.
From major trade hubs to isolated industrial sites, our Deliver Anything, Anywhere approach ensures your Out of Gauge cargo arrives safely, compliantly, and on schedule.
Case Study – Heavy Mining Equipment to Remote Site
A mining company required the delivery of a 70-tonne crusher from Canada to a remote site in Botswana.
A multi-modal OOG solution was arranged, combining rail, sea freight, and specialist road haulage.
The cargo was delivered safely, on schedule, and without incident.
Out of Gauge Cargo Transport FAQs
Out of Gauge cargo refers to shipments that exceed the standard dimensions or weight limits of conventional containers or trailers. This includes cargo that is too tall, wide, long, heavy, or irregularly shaped to be transported using standard equipment.
Common OOG cargo includes heavy industrial machinery, construction plant, wind turbine components, large tanks and silos, transformers, prefabricated structures, and mining or energy infrastructure.
OOG cargo is transported using specialist equipment such as low loaders, flat racks, extendable trailers, multi-axle systems, and heavy lift cranes. Routes, permits, and handling methods are planned specifically around the cargo’s size, weight, and destination.
Yes. Most OOG movements require permits and approvals from local, national, and sometimes international authorities. These permits cover factors such as load dimensions, axle weights, approved routes, and travel times. Qube Cargo manages all permitting and regulatory requirements on your behalf.
Yes. Qube Cargo coordinates international OOG transport across Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, North & South America, and Australasia. We manage cross-border documentation, customs clearance, and compliance for complex international movements.
Safety is managed through detailed planning, route surveys, correct equipment selection, and professional load securing. All partners we work with follow international safety standards and use approved chains, lashings, supports, and protective materials.
Yes. For oversized or heavy cargo, route surveys are often essential. These surveys identify potential obstacles such as low bridges, restricted roads, tight turns, overhead cables, and weight limits, ensuring a safe and feasible route before transport begins.
Absolutely. We regularly coordinate OOG deliveries to remote industrial sites, mining operations, ports, and landlocked regions. Our experience includes complex routes, limited infrastructure, and challenging terrain.
Transit time depends on cargo dimensions, route complexity, permits, and destination. While OOG shipments may require additional planning time, Qube Cargo works to optimise schedules and meet agreed delivery deadlines wherever possible.
Yes. OOG cargo is often high-value, so specialist freight insurance is strongly recommended. Qube Cargo can arrange appropriate insurance cover tailored to oversized and heavy haulage movements.
To provide an accurate quote, we typically require cargo dimensions, weight, centre of gravity (if available), origin and destination, preferred timeframe, and any special handling or lifting requirements.