Texas International Freight is a construction freight forwarder that plans and executes the transport of heavy equipment across the U.S. and worldwide for jobsite mobilizations and mega-projects.
As an experienced construction freight forwarder, we manage carriers, schedules, permits, and compliance so your crews can focus on the build.
We provide end-to-end solutions for the construction sector—planning, packing, ocean and air moves, heavy-haul, and on-site coordination—to keep projects on time and on budget.
Below you’ll find practical steps and tips to move large construction cargo safely and predictably.
Construction Equipment Shipping: Comprehensive Freight Solutions
Heavy Construction Machinery We Transport
Texas International Freight specializes in shipping excavators, bulldozers, loaders, cranes, backhoes, dump trucks, and graders—the backbone of construction operations. We also handle specialized equipment including:
Cranes and Lifting Equipment: Tower cranes for tall building construction with lifting capacity reaching hundreds of meters, mobile cranes mounted on wheeled or tracked vehicles for construction and infrastructure projects, crawler cranes providing stability and excellent lifting capacity for bridge-building and heavy lifting, gantry cranes used in ports and shipyards for lifting heavy loads, overhead/bridge cranes used in factories, warehouses, and industrial settings, and jib cranes for localized lifting in workshops and loading docks.
Earthmoving and Grading Equipment: Backhoe loaders, skid-steer loaders, motor graders, crawler loaders, trenchers, and scrapers for site preparation and grading operations.
Specialized Heavy Equipment: Dragline excavators used in mining and large-scale civil engineering projects, rough terrain cranes for off-road applications and uneven surfaces, road rollers/steamrollers for compacting asphalt, soil, and concrete in road construction, graders for grading and leveling fine loose materials without excavation, rock breakers (hydraulic hammers) for demolishing rock and concrete, concrete pumps for transporting mixed concrete to construction sites, boom lifts with buckets for elevated project work, rotary blast hole drills with autonomous features like depth tracking, and forklifts for short-distance material moving tasks.
We also transport structural steel, large pipes, tanks, manufacturing equipment, turbines and turbine blades, and aerial lift equipment.
Specialized Transportation Modes for Construction Cargo
Heavy-Haul Trucking and Specialized Trailers
Construction logistics manages the supply chain responsible for providing construction sites with correct materials, equipment, and supplies in the right quality, quantity, and time. Our heavy equipment hauling fleet includes:
Flatbed trucks as the industry standard for excavators, bulldozers, and cranes. We offer specialized options including:
- Lowboys for oversized components like larger bulldozers
- Specialized trailers for smaller pieces like forklifts
- Removable Gooseneck Trailers carrying 150,000+ lbs with 29 ft main deck length
- Flatbed trailers with 48,000 lbs max weight for industrial equipment and steel
- Step deck trailers for tall equipment with 11 ft max height and 48,000 lbs capacity
- Open-top trailers, curtain side trailers, double drop trailers, and hot shot/gooseneck trailers
For oversized loads exceeding legal dimensions, we deploy Modular Platform Trailers (SPMTs) with hydraulic suspension for crane-less loading, enabling efficient handling of mega-project equipment.
Ocean, Breakbulk, and Multimodal Solutions
For international construction projects, we coordinate multimodal transport with breakbulk, RORO (roll-on/roll-off), container vessels, barges, railroads, trucks, and aircraft; handling out-of-gauge (OOG) and oversized equipment.
We select custom mode strategies combining breakbulk, RoRo, containers, and air freight to reduce delay risk and optimize costs.
Comprehensive Planning for Construction Freight
We start with a buildable plan—shipment scheduling, jobsite access, staging, and a logistics framework that protects cargo integrity and time.
Example: for a remote infrastructure project, we combined heavy-lift cargo vessels for bulk materials with a coordinated overland fleet for last-mile delivery. Modes, windows, and permits were synchronized to hit the critical path.
The result: safe delivery, on schedule, within budget.
Construction Logistics Services Built for Project Success
Delays in material delivery cascade through entire projects, affecting plumbing, power, permits, and timelines. Moving materials from A to B isn’t enough. You need a partner that plans, controls, and executes the flow of construction supplies from origin to site with safety and compliance at every step. Here’s how we do it:
Discovery and Project Planning
We scope materials, dimensions, lifting points, milestones, laydown space, and site constraints. Project planning includes site surveys, cargo analysis, and job-site delivery coordination with global project cargo experts.
We map the supply chain, align local and international sourcing, and tie deliveries to the build sequence. Construction logistics include oversized items such as equipment, machinery parts, steel pieces, and manufacturing units.
Construction Consolidation and Material Management
Construction consolidation centers (CCC) decrease truck volume to construction sites; supplies are moved to CCC instead of direct delivery for faster receipt and reduced congestion.
A single provider managing all construction project logistics ensures consistent shipping, project management, reporting, storage, and communication, improving efficiency and reducing coordination risk.
Custom Move Strategy and Route Optimization
We build routes and contingencies that reduce delay risk and cost. Site entrance/exit gates impact logistics and affect frequency and scheduling of deliveries.
Local authority collaboration addresses signs, speed limits, traffic lights, public space rental, weight restrictions, and time windows for seamless project execution.
Permits, Compliance, and Regulatory Management
Oversized Load Permits: Oversized load permits are required for non-divisible shipments exceeding legal dimensional limits that vary by state, county, and township. Permit prices are calculated by load dimension, tons of weight, weight increments, per mile, or combinations thereof.
Permitting complexity requires accurate information; OD (over-dimensional) permits on larger shipments take 2–6 weeks with bridge engineering and pre-run surveys.
State-Specific Requirements: New Jersey offers 5-day single-trip permits, Code 23 permits for construction equipment, annual ocean-borne container permits, and emergency permits. California restricts loads over 10 feet wide to Monday–Friday travel, and California requires highway patrol escort for overheight or over 11-foot-wide loads.
Documentation and Escort Requirements: Michigan requires “OVERSIZE LOAD” signs 5’x12′ with 8″ letters, 18″ fluorescent red flags, and a minimum of two flashing amber lights. Heavy haul loads may require civilian escorts accompanying the truck throughout transportation.
We handle all documentation, permits, and customs brokerage across borders to avoid port and border holds. State Department of Transportation permits are required when freight exceeds volume/weight limits; typically the carrier’s responsibility.
Cargo Packaging, Blocking, and Rigging
Proper protection ensures equipment arrives damage-free. We provide cargo preparation, compliance coordination, customs documentation, timely delivery, and secure storage facilities.
Our services include export packing, blocking and bracing techniques, and specialized rigging. Specialized rigging solutions address trailer tie-down points; SPMT support stand placement and ground stability ensure secure transport.
Forklift or crane equipment for loading/unloading is available; we manage peak season equipment availability challenges.
On-Site Support and Final Delivery Coordination
We coordinate unloading, storage, staging, and waste removal. Materials are positioned where crews need them, when they need them.
Delivery point coordination with riggers ensures proper installation placement at the construction site; we reschedule and adjust logistics processes to meet changing site requirements while transports are in progress.
Police escort is needed for cross-border transport; inland water vessels are efficient for oversize/overweight cargo movement.
Warehousing, Laydown, and Interim Storage Solutions
We provide warehousing, laydown yards, interim/long-term storage, maintenance services, loadings, stuffings, commissioning, installation support, site planning, and final delivery coordination for multi-phase construction projects.
From single over-dimensional transports to multi-year, multi-origin complete projects, we leverage local knowledge and experience.
Real-Time Tracking and Clear Communication
Live tracking and proactive alerts keep all stakeholders aligned and issues resolved before they hit the schedule. We provide complete visibility across all transportation modes and handling points.
Final Delivery and Project Close-Out
We complete the last mile, document deliveries, and arrange returns or redeployments of unused materials to close the loop cleanly.
Safety Compliance and Certification Standards
Our IOSH, HSE, and AEO certified experts ensure site work, offloading, and final positioning comply with local rules and international safety standards.
Signs, flags, and warning lights are required; “OVERSIZE LOAD” signs must be 5 feet long, 12 inches high, with black 8-inch letters on a yellow background. 12-inch red flags are required during daytime and red lights at night if overhang exceeds 4 feet; a minimum of two flashing amber lights must be on the rear.
Our certified heavy-lift pads are capable of individual lifts up to 300 tons, ensuring safe handling of mega-loads.
Agile Response When Plans Change
Construction changes fast. Our network and tools let us reroute, split, or expedite in hours. Whether it’s time-critical components, heavy equipment hauling, or adjusted windows at site, we adapt without blowing up cost.
We reschedule and adjust logistics processes to meet changing construction site requirements while transports are in progress, ensuring project continuity.
Why a Construction Freight Specialist Matters
Smart logistics protects the budget and the timeline. With Texas International Freight, you get seasoned people, vetted carriers, and the right tools—real-time visibility, cargo insurance, and mode options from ocean and breakbulk to air charter and LCL.
Need blocking, bracing, rigging, or flatbed/OOG? We manage it end to end, from quote to proof of delivery, across construction, mining, oil & gas, and energy projects.
Our dedicated logistics sales specialist conducts consultation to understand your specific needs, providing customized solutions for complex projects.
Concierge-Level Project Support
Our team covers sourcing support, carrier coordination, shipment scheduling, packaging standards, and multimodal execution across ocean, air, and trucking. Every detail is planned and verified so your most ambitious builds move with confidence.
We support construction projects in diverse industries: infrastructure development, commercial construction, industrial projects, mining operations, oil & gas field development, renewable energy installations, and residential development.
Quick Start: Construction Freight Checklist
- Bill of materials with dimensions, weights, lifting points, and sequence
- Site access info (hours, road limits, crane/power availability)
- Delivery cadence tied to build phases
- Permit needs and route surveys for OD/OW/OOG (over-dimensional/overweight/out-of-gauge) moves
- Packing specs and protection (blocking & bracing, crates, corrosion control)
- Incoterms, documentation, and insurance requirements
- Rigging specifications and special equipment needs
- Cross-border considerations for international project mobilization
Frequently Asked Questions: Construction Freight and Equipment Shipping
1. What types of construction equipment does Texas International Freight transport?
We specialize in excavators, bulldozers, loaders, cranes, backhoes, dump trucks, and graders. We also handle tower cranes, mobile cranes, crawler cranes, gantry cranes, and overhead cranes, plus structural steel, large pipes, tanks, turbines, turbine blades, and aerial lift equipment. Whether domestic or international project mobilizations, we transport heavy equipment safely and on schedule.
2. What are oversized load permits and how long do they take?
Oversized load permits are required for non-divisible shipments exceeding legal dimensional limits that vary by state, county, and township. OD permits on larger shipments typically take 2–6 weeks and require bridge engineering analysis and pre-run surveys. We manage all permitting, regulatory compliance, and state-specific requirements to ensure timely project mobilization.
3. How does construction consolidation reduce project logistics costs?
Construction consolidation centers (CCC) decrease truck volume to construction sites by consolidating multiple shipments before delivery, enabling faster receipt and reducing site congestion. Since delays in material delivery cascade through entire projects—impacting plumbing, power, and timelines—consolidation optimizes delivery efficiency while reducing per-shipment costs. A single logistics provider managing consolidation, storage, and scheduling ensures communication consistency and cost control.
4. What specialized trailers and equipment do you use for oversized construction loads?
Our fleet includes flatbed trucks as the industry standard for excavators, bulldozers, and cranes, plus removable gooseneck trailers carrying 150,000+ lbs with 29 ft main deck length, step deck trailers for tall equipment with 11 ft max height and 48,000 lbs capacity, and Modular Platform Trailers (SPMTs) with hydraulic suspension for crane-less loading of mega-project equipment. For international moves, we deploy multimodal transport combining breakbulk, RORO, container vessels, barges, railroads, and trucks.
5. How does on-site coordination and delivery placement work for construction projects?
Our team manages complete job-site logistics. Delivery point coordination with riggers ensures installation placement at the construction site; we reschedule and adjust logistics processes to meet changing site requirements while transports are in progress. We provide warehousing, laydown yards, interim/long-term storage, commissioning, installation support, site planning, and final delivery coordination. Real-time tracking keeps all stakeholders aligned, and proactive communication ensures materials arrive exactly when crews need them.
Ready to Move Construction Freight?
Request a quote or talk to our team. Learn more about the responsibility of a freight forwarder and why choosing the right partner matters for complex projects.
We also support cross-border operations in Canada and Mexico for seamless staging, coordination, and returns.
Additional Construction Logistics Resources
Explore our complete construction and heavy equipment transportation services: Crawler crane shipping, bulldozer transport, excavator logistics, forklift shipping, and comprehensive project logistics solutions for mega-projects worldwide.
