Project Cargo

20-Years Project Cargo Experience Operating at the Ports of Savannah and Charleston

Rawlins Rigging:
Mastering Project Cargo

"I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times."

- Bruce Lee, Martial Artist

At Rawlins Rigging, we firmly believe that simply being "good" at shipping isn't enough. In the vast world of logistics, we made a deliberate choice: to master one critical niche we're passionate about. For over two decades, we've dedicated ourselves to excelling in project cargo, meticulously honing our expertise in the most complex and specialized shipments.

Operating out of the Georgia Ports Authority at the Port of Savannah and the South Carolina Ports Authority at the Port of Charleston, we've built an unparalleled reputation for handling extraordinary freight. From oversized machinery and heavy lift cargo to out-of-gauge equipment and intricate industrial components, we don't just move freight; we engineer its journey. Our focused excellence means every specialized cargo challenge is met with precision, experience, and the confidence that comes from being the very best at what we do. When it's about more than just moving a box, it's about moving your most significant ambitions. Rawlins Rigging is your dedicated partner.

Two Decades. Two Ports. Countless Complex Cargoes Handled.

Project Cargo FAQ

A red crane loading a military-style truck onto a flatbed trailer in an outdoor area with a partly cloudy sky and trees in the background.

  • Project Cargo is a term that applies to non-commodity freight products requiring specialized handling and transportation. Most project cargo shipments are out-of-gauge (too wide and/or too tall to fit inside an enclosed shipping container) or overweight (too heavy for an enclosed shipping container), or they are a combination of both.

  • Manufacturing, Automotive, Government, Military, Agriculture, Residential and Commercial Construction, etc.

  • Since nearly every project cargo shipment is unique, so are the costs. Several factors can influence the overall cost. These factors include the size, weight, and volume of the cargo, the distance it must travel, the cargo’s unique lifting and securing requirements, and the type of equipment required to transport the cargo to its destination. Does the cargo have to be escorted over the road? Does it need permits? Can the cargo be transloaded at a warehouse, or must it be handled at the port terminal? It’s essential to have an experienced, trusted partner to guide shippers through these challenges.

  • Most project cargo shipments involve specialized equipment, such as high-capacity forklifts and many types of cranes. The safe operation of this equipment and the handling of cargo require extensive training, experience, and specialized skills.

  • Oversize cargo requires oversized planning! Lead time is critical, especially when moving cargo that has specialized requirements. It’s critical to allow enough time to order permits, plan for escorted movements, book mobile cranes, secure heavy equipment for handling, book specialty trailers, and most importantly, find experienced partners to help at every step of the journey.

  • Shippers and cargo owners are required to insure their cargo at every step of its journey, regardless of the type of cargo. When moving oversized and/or overweight cargo, additional risks are involved. Some cargo can only move during certain hours of the day. Those rules can change from state to state. Some cargo requires different permits in different states. Unconventional movements of this sort underscore the need for an experienced partner to ensure that all aspects are covered and shipments are moved safely and efficiently.

  • Project cargo shipments require a combination of specialized equipment, such as step-deck or lowboy trailers for inland travel and flat-rack containers for ocean voyages, and the cargo demands specific securing requirements at every stage.

  • EXPERIENCE and EXPERTISE! The most critical factor in ensuring a successful project cargo shipment is choosing a partner with the right experience and expertise. In project cargo, a few pounds of cargo weight or a few inches in cargo height or width can affect thousands of dollars in cost and create complex safety issues. Choosing a partner with the right experience and expertise is the most important part of a project cargo shipment.

A green Mac truck with a crane or lifting arm is loaded onto a Maersk shipping container on a flatbed trailer. A man in a yellow safety vest and cap stands nearby.