Project Cargo and Oversized Freight: Planning, Permits and Costs

Project cargo is freight that exceeds standard vehicle or container dimensions or legal weight limits, is made up of one piece or of connected parts, and needs its own engineering plan for every shipment. Turbine blades, transformers, generators, quarry machinery, prefabricated building elements and complete production lines all fall into this group. They travel on lowbed and special trailers, after a route survey, with special permits and, where needed, escort vehicles.

If you are building a plant or starting production in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan or Turkmenistan and buying equipment in Turkey, this guide is for you. It covers the planning steps, the permits and equipment needed, how a route survey works and what drives the cost, and ends with a checklist to go through before dispatch.

What is oversized cargo?

Legal dimensions are the maximum width, height, length and weight a vehicle and its load may have without a special permit. In Turkey and Europe the general limits for a standard tractor and semi-trailer are approximately 2.55 m wide, 4 m high, 16.5 m long and 40 tonnes gross weight. In Russia and Central Asia, length and weight limits are set by national rules and differ, so they must be checked for each country on the route. A load that exceeds any one of these limits is oversized or overweight and cannot move without a permit.

In practice there are two groups. The first is large but light cargo: silos, tanks, yachts and modular buildings. The second is cargo of normal size but very heavy: transformers, presses and marble blocks. For the first group the key factors are height and width; for the second, axle load and bridge capacity. Sometimes a bridge must be reinforced or a detour found.

Planning a project cargo shipment step by step

Unlike a standard full truckload, planning for such loads starts weeks before dispatch. The usual sequence is as follows.

1. Cargo analysis and technical drawing

Exact dimensions, weight, centre of gravity, lifting points and sensitive areas are defined. Without the manufacturer's drawing it is impossible to choose the right equipment. At this stage the team also checks whether the cargo can be dismantled; sometimes removing one part removes the need for permits and escorts.

2. Vehicle and equipment selection

A lowbed trailer brings the deck closer to the road for tall loads; an extendable (telescopic) trailer is used for long loads, and a modular multi-axle trailer for very heavy ones. The number of axles is chosen to spread the weight within legal limits. Crane capacity, slings and lashing equipment for loading and unloading are planned in advance.

3. Route survey

Along the whole route, the survey checks bridge and overpass heights, tunnel clearances, turning radii, bridge load capacity, power lines and junction layouts. For cargo leaving Antalya, the Taurus Mountain passes are the most critical section for tall and wide loads. The survey shows whether signs must be removed temporarily, cables lifted or a detour used.

4. Special permits and escort

In Turkey, the permit for oversized loads is issued by the General Directorate of Highways (KGM). Each transit and destination country requires its own permit, and the time to obtain one varies from a few days to several weeks. The permit states the route, travel times and escort conditions. Very wide or long loads need escort vehicles in front and behind, and some countries require a police escort. If the cargo contains dangerous substances, such as batteries or fuel in a tank, ADR rules also apply; see our dangerous goods transport guide.

5. Loading, securing and the journey

The cargo is lifted by crane at the lifting points shown on the drawing, its centre of gravity is balanced on the trailer and it is secured with chains, tensioners and chocks. On the road, travel times follow the permit, often at night or at weekends. At destination, the unloading area must have sufficient ground strength and a prepared crane position.

Road, sea or rail for project cargo?

Oversized freight rarely travels by one mode only. A machine from Antalya to Central Asia may go by road to a port, cross the Caspian Sea by ferry to Turkmenbashi or Aktau, then continue by road to the construction site. We explain how such combinations are built in our article on intermodal transport, and the route options to the region in our guide to Turkey to Central Asia freight routes.

What drives the cost of project cargo

There is no standard tariff here; each shipment has its own budget. The main cost items are:

• Vehicle type and number of axles; a modular trailer and an extra tractor increase the cost.
• Permit fees in each country and vehicle waiting time while permits are issued.
• Number of escort vehicles and police escort fees.
• Temporary works on the route: lifting cables, removing signs, reinforcing bridges.
• Cranes, slings and handling; port and terminal charges.
• Insurance: a high-value single piece needs its own cargo policy.

The carrier's CMR liability is limited per kilogram and will not cover the real value of a transformer, so goods insurance is a necessity, not an option. See our article on cargo insurance and CMR liability. Rates depend on the market, season and exchange rates; to prepare a quote we need the technical drawing and the delivery address.

Pre-dispatch planning checklist

• Is there a technical drawing with net weight and centre of gravity?
• Can the cargo be dismantled, and would that remove the need for permits?
• Have the vehicle type and number of axles been chosen for the axle load limits?
• Has the route been surveyed, with critical bridges and tunnels reported?
• Have permits been applied for in every country, with lead times in the schedule?
• Are escort vehicles and, if needed, police escort arranged?
• Are crane capacity and ground strength confirmed at loading and unloading?
• Has the lashing plan been calculated for the weight of the cargo?
• Is the cargo insured for its full value?
• Are customs documents, certificate of origin and, if needed, ADR papers ready?
• Has the consignee confirmed the unloading team and schedule?

Frequently asked questions

How long does project cargo transport take?

The driving time is close to a normal trip, but permits and travel time restrictions extend the total. In Europe permits take a few days; on routes to Central Asia they can take several weeks. Start planning at least several weeks before dispatch.

Which permits are needed for oversized cargo?

In Turkey, a KGM permit; each transit and destination country issues its own special permit. The permit sets the route, travel times and escort conditions. Check current requirements for each country; for Turkey, the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure is the official reference.

What is a lowbed trailer?

A lowbed is a trailer with a deck much lower than a standard one. It keeps tall cargo within the legal height, so it is used for construction machinery, transformers and large machines.

When is an escort required?

The escort requirement is stated in the permit and depends on the width and length of the load and the rules of each country. Above a certain width at least one escort vehicle is usually needed; very wide loads need escorts in front and behind, and sometimes police.

BNK Lojistik, based in Muratpaşa, Antalya, plans project cargo and oversized loads by road, sea and rail according to their size and weight, including Caspian ferry connections to Central Asia. Learn more on our project cargo service page. Send the technical drawing through our quote form or call us on +90 542 485 53 70 or message us on WhatsApp at +90 545 485 53 70.

Updated: October 16, 2026