Project cargo and out-of-gauge transport cover machinery, equipment and structures that exceed standard trailer dimensions or legal weight limits and need a dedicated plan for every move. BNK Logistics plans project cargo from Antalya, organising route surveys, country-by-country permits, escorts, suitable vehicles, lifting equipment and customs documents in one shipment plan.
What we do on a project shipment
- Collect technical data: net dimensions, weight, centre of gravity, lifting and lashing points, sensitive areas and removable parts, based on the manufacturer's drawing.
- Ask about dismantling: removing one part can bring the cargo within standard limits and reduce permit and escort needs. This is assessed with the manufacturer or installation team.
- Plan vehicle and equipment: lowbed, semi-lowbed, extendable trailer or, for heavy loads, modular multi-axle trailer; crane capacity, slings and lashing gear for loading and unloading.
- Arrange a route survey: bridge and overpass clearances, tunnels, bridge load capacity, tight bends, junctions, power lines and border crossing suitability; alternative roads where needed.
- Organise permits and escorts: applications for Turkey and each transit country, the escort vehicles required by the permits and any traffic escort are built into the schedule.
- Manage loading day: crane position, ground bearing, lashing plan and loading photos, then departure within the permitted hours.
- Prepare the destination: unloading area, crane and consignee team confirmed before the truck leaves.
What counts as out-of-gauge?
In Turkey and Europe the general limits for a standard tractor-trailer combination are approximately 2.55 m wide, 4 m high, 16.5 m long and 40 tonnes gross weight; these values and axle load limits differ between countries. If the cargo on the vehicle exceeds any of them, a special permit is required. A standard curtainsider offers roughly 2.7 m of internal height, so taller units usually need an open platform or low-deck trailer. Exact limits are confirmed against each country's current rules.
Typical project cargo includes construction machinery, transformers and generators, turbine components and cable drums, presses, tanks and silos, production line modules, mining equipment, marble blocks, steel structures and prefabricated elements.
Permits in outline
In Turkey, out-of-gauge loads need a special load transport permit from the General Directorate of Highways (KGM). On an international move this covers only the Turkish section; every transit and destination country issues its own permit. Permits usually specify the approved route, travel hours and escort conditions. Lead times vary by country and cargo size, from a few days to several weeks, so we recommend starting planning several weeks ahead. Permit conditions, fees and escort rules are confirmed against current regulations for each shipment.
Lanes and transport options
- Central Asia: equipment for sites and plants in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, with road, Caspian crossing and rail options assessed together; ferry suitability and port handling are checked separately. See Central Asia freight.
- Iran and Iraq: border crossing suitability for oversized vehicles and road conditions come first; conditions are confirmed at the shipping date.
- Caucasus, Russia and Europe: more countries mean longer permit schedules, so applications are planned to run in parallel.
- Sea-linked plans: flat rack or open top containers, Ro-Ro and conventional vessels combined with road legs before and after the port. See sea freight.
Project stages and what we need from you
| Stage | What we do | What we need |
|---|---|---|
| Initial review | Gauge status, possible vehicles and modes | Drawing, dimensions, weight, photos |
| Route and equipment | Route survey, vehicle and axle plan, crane needs | Loading and unloading addresses, site conditions |
| Permits and escort | Country-by-country permit applications, escort plan | Target delivery date, consignee details |
| Documents and customs | Document set check, customs coordination | Invoice, packing list, origin and product documents |
| Loading and transit | Loading supervision, photos, tracking link | Loading site and team ready |
| Delivery | Unloading coordination | Crane and ground preparation at destination |
Documents and packaging notes
- Commercial invoice and packing list with each piece's dimensions and weight listed separately.
- Technical drawing and lifting diagram, also used for permit applications.
- Export declaration, CMR and route-specific transit documents.
- Certificate of origin and destination-specific conformity documents.
- ADR check for equipment containing batteries, fuel tanks or hydraulic oil; see ADR dangerous goods.
- Protective covers for sensitive surfaces on open transport and loose parts secured.
Requirements are confirmed against current regulations. Because CMR carrier liability will not cover the real value of a single high-value unit, separate cargo insurance should be arranged.
Why BNK Logistics
- Planning-led: we do not propose a vehicle or date before seeing the technical data.
- Road, sea and rail compared within one plan.
- Permits, CMR, invoices and loading photos kept in one shipment folder, with stages on your tracking link.
- English, Turkish, Russian and Chinese, including Russian-language coordination with sites in Central Asia, and an office in Antalya.
What we need for a project cargo quote
Pickup and delivery addresses, description of the cargo, technical drawing or measured photos, length, width, height and weight of each piece, centre of gravity and lifting points, whether parts can be removed, crane availability at both ends and the target delivery date. You receive a tracking code on submission, and our team contacts you for the initial review.
Frequently asked questions
Which permits does an out-of-gauge load need?
The Turkish section needs a special load transport permit from the General Directorate of Highways. Each transit and destination country issues its own permit, usually setting the route, travel hours and escort conditions. Requirements are confirmed against current regulations.
How early should project cargo planning start?
Permit lead times range from a few days to several weeks depending on the country and cargo size, so we recommend starting several weeks before the shipment. Sharing the technical drawing early speeds things up.
Is an escort always required?
No. Escort requirements depend on width, length and each country's rules and are stated in the permit. Wide or long loads may need escorts front and rear, and some countries require a traffic escort.
Can you move heavy equipment to a site in Central Asia?
Yes, Central Asia is our main operating axis. We compare road, Caspian crossing and rail options for the cargo's dimensions and build each transit country's permit schedule into the plan.
How is project cargo priced?
There is no standard tariff. Price depends on vehicle type and axles, permits and escorts, route and lifting equipment. With the drawing, dimensions, weight and addresses we carry out an initial review and prepare a clearly scoped quote.
