Canada Project Logistics for Heavy & Oversized Cargo

Mastering the Gateways: A Multi-Modal Strategy for a Continent

The sheer scale of Canada makes a multi-modal strategy not just an option, but a necessity. The key to efficient project logistics lies in leveraging Canada's world-class gateways and seamlessly integrating sea, rail, and road transport into a single, cohesive plan. Ocean Cargo has deep operational experience across all of Canada's major transport corridors, engineering solutions that are optimised for your specific project's origin, destination, and timeline.

Strategic Seaport Management

Your cargo's journey to Canada will almost certainly begin at one of its major international ports. We have established strong operational partnerships at all key gateways, ensuring efficient handling and a smooth transition to the next leg of the journey.

• The Pacific Gateway (Port of Vancouver): As Canada's largest port, Vancouver is the primary entry point for cargo from Asia and a critical hub for projects in British Columbia, Alberta, and across Western Canada. We manage all types of sea freight to Canada through these terminals, from containerised goods to large-scale break-bulk shipments.
• The Atlantic Gateway (Ports of Montreal and Halifax): The Port of Montreal, located on the St. Lawrence Seaway, is the shortest direct route from Europe to North America's industrial heartland. The Port of Halifax, a deep-water, ice-free port, is another vital entry point for project cargo destined for Eastern and Central Canada.
• The St. Lawrence Seaway: This system of locks and canals enables ocean-going vessels to travel from the Atlantic Ocean deep into the interior, reaching ports on the Great Lakes, such as Hamilton and Thunder Bay, providing direct access to major industrial and mining regions.

The Iron Highway: Cross-Country Rail Freight

Once your cargo is off-loaded, Canada's two transcontinental railways, Canadian National (CN) and Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), become the workhorses for long-distance haulage. Rail is exceptionally efficient for moving heavy and containerised goods across vast distances. We manage the seamless transition from port to rail, coordinating with rail operators to move everything from standard containers to oversized cargo on specialised flatcars, ensuring it reaches an intermodal terminal close to your final destination.

Final Mile Delivery: Specialised Road Freight

The final, critical leg of the journey is almost always by road. This is often the most complex phase, requiring navigation of regional regulations and challenging terrain. Our road freight solutions in Canada include:

• Specialised Heavy Haulage: Utilising a fleet of multi-axle trailers, low-loaders, and heavy-duty prime movers to transport out-of-gauge cargo.
• Permit Acquisition and Route Planning: Managing the complex and varied provincial permitting requirements for oversized loads, which can differ significantly between provinces like Ontario, Quebec, and Alberta.
• Pilot/Escort Vehicle Coordination: Arranging for the necessary pilot and escort vehicles to ensure the safe and legal transit of your cargo on public highways.

Our Integrated Project Logistics Services for Canada

Ocean Cargo offers a comprehensive, end-to-end service portfolio tailored to manage every conceivable challenge your Canadian project may encounter. Our approach is proactive, meticulously planned, and completely transparent, offering you a single point of accountability.

Expert Customs Brokerage and Compliance

Navigating the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) regulations is a critical step. Our in-house customs compliance experts manage the entire process to ensure a smooth clearance.

• Customs Brokerage: As licensed customs brokers, we manage the preparation and submission of all necessary import declarations, ensuring accuracy and compliance with all Canadian laws.
• Non-Resident Importer (NRI) Program: For UK companies selling directly to Canadian customers, we can assist you in registering as an NRI. This allows you to act as the importer of record, simplifying the purchasing process for your Canadian clients and giving you greater control over your supply chain.
• Tariff Classification: We ensure your goods are correctly classified under the Harmonized System (HS), which is crucial for determining the correct duty rates and avoiding costly penalties or delays.

Our expertise in customs brokerage for Canada is a key component of a successful project, preventing delays that can have significant impacts on project timelines and budgets.

Heavy Lift, Rigging, and Transport Engineering

Transporting heavy and oversized cargo is a science. Our team of specialist engineers and certified rigging professionals provides meticulous planning for every complex move. We conduct detailed transport engineering studies, create certified lift plans for all crane operations, and deploy state-of-the-art equipment to safely handle high-value assets such as large transformers for hydro projects or massive components for the mining industry.

Route Surveys and Winter Logistics Planning

Before any out-of-gauge cargo moves, we conduct thorough route surveys to assess road conditions, bridge capacities, and infrastructure limitations. Crucially for Canada, this includes winter logistics planning. We develop strategies to mitigate the risks posed by extreme cold, snow, and ice, including scheduling transport around weather windows and ensuring all carriers are equipped for harsh winter operations.

Precision Dismantling and Reassembly

For machinery or structures too large to transport in one piece, our technical teams can manage the entire process. We ensure every component is carefully dismantled, match-marked, and protectively packed for the journey. Upon arrival at the Canadian project site, our experts can supervise the precise reassembly and commissioning, minimising downtime and ensuring your assets are operational as quickly as possible.

Powering Canada's Key Industries

Ocean Cargo has extensive experience providing mission-critical logistics for the industries that form the backbone of the Canadian economy.

• Energy (Oil, Gas & Renewables): Canada's energy sector is vast. We manage the logistics for oil sands projects in Alberta, delivering heavy equipment like drilling rigs and extraction modules. We are also a key partner in the country's green energy transition, transporting oversized wind turbine components to wind farms in Ontario and the Maritimes, and hydro turbines for power projects in Quebec and British Columbia.
• Mining and Metals: We support Canada's world-leading mining industry by providing reliable transport for heavy mining machinery, including crushers, conveyors, and colossal haul trucks, often to extremely remote sites in Northern Ontario, Quebec, or the Prairies.
• Infrastructure and Construction: We are a key partner in major public and private construction projects, managing the timely delivery of construction materials, steel beams, and heavy machinery like cranes and tunnel boring machines.
• Manufacturing and Aerospace: We provide robust supply chain solutions for Canada's advanced Manufacturing and aerospace sectors, primarily based in Ontario and Quebec, delivering production line machinery and sensitive components, such as aircraft parts.