Ocean Cargo provides a premier, nationwide crane and HIAB transport service, delivering an integrated solution for the most complex logistical challenges. We are more than just a transport company; we are project partners who bring meticulous planning, state-of-the-art equipment, and an unwavering commitment to safety to every single job. Our service ensures that your most valuable and cumbersome assets are moved and positioned with surgical precision, safeguarding your project's timeline and budget from start to finish.
Understanding the Equipment: HIAB vs. Mobile Crane
While often grouped, HIAB lorries and mobile cranes serve distinct purposes. Understanding the difference is key to planning an efficient and cost-effective lifting operation. Ocean Cargo provides expert advice to ensure the right equipment is deployed for your specific needs.
What is a HIAB? The All-in-One Solution
HIAB is a leading brand name that has become synonymous with the lorry-mounted crane or lorry-loader. These vehicles are the workhorses of the logistics industry, ingeniously combining a heavy-duty truck with a powerful hydraulic crane, usually mounted behind the cab. This self-contained design is their primary advantage.
A HIAB can arrive at a site, load a heavy item onto its own flatbed, transport it across the country, and then unload it at the destination, all without the need for a separate crane or forklift. This makes them exceptionally versatile and cost-effective for a huge range of tasks, from delivering steel beams to a building site to placing site cabins or moving heavy generators.
What is a Mobile Crane? The Specialist Lifting Powerhouse
When the weight or required reach exceeds the capacity of a lorry-mounted crane, a mobile crane is the required solution. These are dedicated lifting machines, designed for one purpose: to lift extremely heavy loads with precision. They are driven to the site and then set up on stabilising outriggers before performing a lift.
Ocean Cargo coordinates mobile crane hire as part of our comprehensive project logistics services. This is necessary for tasks such as lifting large plant equipment onto rooftops, assembling tower cranes, or positioning heavy infrastructure like precast concrete sections and transformers. While requiring separate transport for the cargo itself, their immense lifting power is indispensable for major projects.
Our Crane & HIAB Transport Services: Versatility in Action
Our nationwide service is tailored to support a diverse range of industries, each with its unique logistical demands. We have the expertise and equipment to handle virtually any type of oversized or heavy cargo.
- Construction & Building Materials: We are a vital partner to the construction sector, delivering everything from palletised bricks and roofing materials to large timber frames, structural steelwork, and cladding panels directly to the point of use on site.
- Modular & Portable Buildings: Our team specialises in the transport and positioning of portable cabins, welfare units, modular classrooms, and bespoke prefabricated structures.
- Industrial Machinery & Plant: We facilitate factory relocations and equipment installations by moving heavy industrial machines such as lathes, CNC machines, industrial presses, and boilers.
- Containers & Storage: We transport and position 10ft, 20ft, and 40ft shipping containers for use as storage or site offices, a common requirement across many industries.
- Energy & Utilities: Ocean Cargo supports the energy sector by transporting generators, switchgear, cable drums, and other critical infrastructure components to power stations, substations, and renewable energy sites.
- Events & Exhibitions: We assist event organisers by delivering and positioning stage equipment, temporary structures, and exhibition stands with precision and strict adherence to schedules.
The Ocean Cargo Process: A Blueprint for Safe and Successful Lifts
A successful lift is no accident. It is the result of a rigorous, systematic process that leaves nothing to chance. Our tried-and-tested procedure ensures every project is executed to the highest standards of safety and professionalism.
- Phase 1: Detailed Assessment & Site Survey: Every project begins with a conversation. We work with you to understand the exact nature of the cargo, its weight, dimensions, and centre of gravity. For complex lifts, this is followed by a comprehensive site survey. Our appointed person will visit both the collection and delivery points to assess access, ground conditions, potential overhead obstructions like power lines, and the final placement area.
- Phase 2: Meticulous Lift Plan & Risk Assessment: Based on the survey, we create a detailed lift plan. This is a critical document that outlines the chosen equipment, the exact methodology for the lift, the personnel involved, and contingency plans. It is accompanied by a full Risk Assessment and Method Statement (RAMS), which is shared with you and all on-site personnel. This planning stage is the foundation of a safe operation.
- Phase 3: Equipment Selection & Allocation: We select the perfect tool for the job. Using the data from the planning phase, we allocate the specific HIAB lorry or crane with the right lifting capacity and reach. The vehicle is scheduled, and a fully certified and experienced operator is assigned to your project.
- Phase 4: Expert Execution on the Day: Our operator arrives on site and conducts a pre-commencement briefing with the designated site contact. Following the agreed RAMS, the lift is carried out with precision and constant communication. Our operators are not just drivers; they are skilled professionals trained to manage the entire operation safely.
- Phase 5: Careful Delivery & Final Placement: The cargo is securely transported via our road freight network, adhering to all route plans. Upon arrival, the operator sets up the vehicle and carefully unloads the cargo, placing it exactly where it is needed. We ensure the handover is completed to your total satisfaction.
- Phase 6: Post-Delivery Support & Partnership: Our service doesn't end when the engine is turned off. We ensure all paperwork is completed correctly and remain available to address any follow-up questions. We aim to build long-term partnerships, becoming your go-to provider for all future heavy lifting requirements.
Safety Above All: Our Non-Negotiable Commitment
In the high-risk environment of lifting operations, safety is not just a priority; it is the core principle that governs every decision we make. Ocean Cargo operates a robust safety management system that meets and exceeds all UK legal requirements, including the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998 (LOLER) and the Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998 (PUWER).
- Certified and Competent Personnel: Every one of our crane and HIAB operators holds the relevant, nationally recognised qualifications (e.g., CPCS or ALLMI) and undergoes continuous professional development to maintain their skills.
- Meticulously Maintained Equipment: Our entire fleet is subject to a strict maintenance and inspection regime. All lifting equipment and accessories undergo regular, legally mandated "thorough examinations" by independent, competent inspectors to ensure they are safe to use.
- Comprehensive Insurance: We hold extensive Public Liability and Goods in Transit insurance, providing a vital layer of financial protection and peace of mind for you and your valuable cargo.
- Robust Planning (RAMS): We never undertake a lift without a clear, written plan. Our Risk Assessments and Method Statements (RAMS) are site-specific and communicated to all parties involved in the operation.
- Full Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Our operators are equipped with full, high-quality PPE and are trained to work safely in demanding environments, from busy construction sites to tightly controlled industrial facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
What information do I need to provide to get an accurate quotation?
To give you an accurate and safe quotation, we need as much detail as possible. This includes: the precise weight and dimensions (length, width, height) of the item to be lifted; the full collection and delivery addresses including postcodes; a description of the access and ground conditions at both locations; and information on any known hazards like overhead cables, trees, or restricted access. Photographs of the item and the sites are always extremely helpful.
What is the maximum weight and reach of your HIABs?
Our diverse fleet includes a range of HIAB vehicles with different capabilities. Capacities can range from a few tonnes to much larger loads, with reaches extending over 20 metres. For specific requirements, we will select the vehicle from our fleet whose load chart (which details lifting capacity at different radiuses) is perfectly suited to your task. For loads beyond our HIAB capacity, we arrange for a dedicated mobile crane.
Do I need to arrange for someone to sling the load?
No, you do not. The Ocean Cargo operator is a fully qualified Slinger Signaller. They are trained and responsible for assessing the load, selecting the correct lifting accessories (slings, chains, shackles), and safely attaching them to the crane hook and the load itself. They manage the entire lifting operation from start to finish.
What happens if the ground is soft at the delivery location?
This is a critical consideration that we address during the planning and site survey phase. Our operators carry a variety of spreader plates and mats to help distribute the pressure from the vehicle's stabiliser legs. If the ground is deemed unsuitable and unsafe to support the vehicle, we will discuss alternative solutions with you, such as using a temporary trackway or finding a different setup position.
Can you arrange for road closures or obtain the necessary permits if required?
Yes. As part of our comprehensive project management service, we can handle all aspects of traffic management. This includes applying for the necessary permits from local councils for activities such as road closures, parking bay suspensions, or operating on public highways. We assume this administrative burden to ensure your project proceeds smoothly and by the law.
Are your crane and HIAB services available on short notice?
We always recommend booking as far in advance as possible, particularly for complex lifts that require detailed planning and site surveys. However, we understand that urgent needs arise. We maintain a degree of flexibility within our schedule and will always do our utmost to accommodate last-minute and emergency transport requests across the UK.
