Break Bulk

Break bulk is cargo that must be loaded individually. It covers a very wide range of goods. It can be sacks of flour or drill rigs, strictly speaking.

Really, break bulk means cargo that is really big or really heavy

Break bulk cargo are pieces of machinery that are oversized, or that require heavy lift. Truckers sometimes call the cargo “high and wide”, and heavy haul cargo. Basically, break bulk cargo cannot be containerized. It is oversized cargo that cannot be broken down into small enough pieces to be put in a container. Also, it sometimes is too big for a vehicle (Ro-Ro) carrier.

Do your homework. Do not trust precious break bulk cargo to just any freight forwarder. The concept of moving cargo from Point A to Point B is simple. But the work is difficult and unforgiving. Choosing a freight forwarder that does not know how to ship break bulk cargo could mean disastrous cost overruns and damaged cargo. Ask your freight forwarder a lot of questions. Their knowledge, expertise, experience, connections, and care should be evident.

Our Scope

Heavy lift, out-of-gauge, and over-dimensional break bulk cargo that is going to unusual and unconventional locations is a typical project logistics operation. Texas International Freight accomplishes the most complicated project cargo moves through our expertise. We have deep knowledge and experience in highly complex and sophisticated break bulk moves. Additionally, our great relationships with the break bulk carriers, and our freight agents throughout the world ensure that all the bases are covered.

Texas International Freight can handle very specialized projects from point A to point B, whether it is a move of thousands of tons of steel casing for a pipeline or if it is a highly complex move of an industrial plant where no two parts are alike, we can handle it.

As Customs Brokers, Texas International Freight can clear imported cargo at the port of entry. If asked, we know the terminals well enough to advise destination terminal handling charges. Next, we can work with the stevedores to load the cargo on trucks. After loading, we can bring the break bulk cargo to the end destination in the U.S. Last, we can offer rigging services for projects to offload cargo at destination from the trucks.

Our Expertise

Finally, we are trained and knowledgeable in shipping oversized cargo. Don’t be fooled. There’s not “an app for that.” Booking heavy equipment online might easy, but doing the actual shipping of oversized equipment is not. Texas International Freight knows how to ship this cargo due to its years in business. We know this cargo from the many oversized pieces of cargo we have shipped. We know the big vessel players who operate in this sphere. Further, we know the subtleties of the business. Last we know the tiny details that always matter more than a little bit.

For example, the ship lines that operate in this market are very sensitive to fluctuations. Because there are no ships going to a certain port one month, does not mean things cannot change the next month, or even the next week or day. You need a freight forwarder with excellent connections to the ship lines that carry project freight in order to get you the right sailing.

With respect to details, every port in the U.S. operates differently and charges for different things. In fact, even terminals within the same port operate differently than one another. Some charge one rate for crane usage. Another may not offer crane usage at all. Some charge one rate for rolling stock.  Another terminal does not charge any rate at all for rolling stock. These are among the hundreds of small details that matter in break bulk shipping.

We Reach the World

Texas International Freight provides break bulk, heavy lift, and project logistics solutions to all corners of the world. We ship break bulk for power companies, crane companies, engineering firms, construction projects, mining operations, OEMs, marine and naval yards. Our cargo includes transformers, power generation goods, massive cranes, turbines, drill pipe and pipe casing, oil rigs, and Capex plant for energy installations.

Texas International Freight ships break bulk cargo from various ports in the US that include, but are not limited to:

• Houston
• Galveston
• New Orleans
• Mobile
• Savannah
• Jacksonville
• Baltimore
• Philadelphia
• Port Hueneme
• Vancouver

As well as many other, smaller ports too numerous to mention.

Texas International Freight ships break bulk cargo all over the world, to places like the U.K, Netherlands, Germany, Russia, Norway, Nigeria, Angola, South Africa, Brazil, Colombia, Chile, Peru, China, Singapore, Australia, Vietnam, India, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Kuwait, Iraq, Oman, Yemen, Egypt, Israel, Turkey, Spain, Algeria, among many, many other countries.

Texas International Freight provides project cargo, heavy lift, and break bulk service to companies throughout the United States.

Our company can pick up the cargo from origin and ship all the way to the destination site on the other side of the world. We complete break bulk shipments to foreign inland locations by means of ship and then truck freight. Texas International Freight ships break bulk cargo by specialized truck equipment and by barge. We ship heavy equipment by air charter. We have relationships with the major heavy lift and break bulk carriers that 95% of our competition does not enjoy. We can even source bulk carriers when there is a need. (Bulk carriers are vessels made to ship things like oil, coal, aggregate, fertilizer, etc.) And, we have agents in almost every foreign country that can assist in clearing customs. Moreover, they are all trained and capable of handling special, oversized freight.