Abnormal Load Transport

Williams Shipping are abnormal load specialists.

When it comes to moving abnormal loads, no two jobs are identical. Handling and efficiently moving loads that are high, wide, long or heavy requires specialist equipment, knowledge of the rules and regulations, superior driving and lashing skills, and precise project management. 

We have handled thousands of difficult and abnormal loads throughout the UK and Europe. Our clients come from a wide range of industries including construction, civil engineering, oil & gas, renewable energy, defence and the marine sector.

Our extensive fleet of trucks and trailers allow us the flexibility to handle a wide range of out-of-gauge loads. All trucks are driven by our team of highly trained and experienced drivers.

Contact our team and we would be happy to discuss our solutions.

Specialist equipment

We operate a modern fleet of vehicles plated up to STGO Cat 2 (80 tonnes gross) and an extensive fleet of specialist trailers, including:

  • Extendible all-steer flat trailers
  • Semi-low and low loaders
  • Plant trailers

For full details, please visit our fleet page.

At our largest site in Southampton, we have heavy lifting equipment suitable for loading and unloading of heavy or oversized items. We also have open storage and warehousing facilities which can be used to assemble equipment or consolidate shipments before transportation.

Highly trained personnel

We pride ourselves on the expertise and experience of our entire team. Right from the planners in the office to the drivers on the road. As well as holding the qualifications for haulage, our drivers are trained in to the highest standards in the industry including:

  • ADR – the licence to carry dangerous goods
  • Aviation Secure – working within airport secure bases
  • Slinger Signaller – working with cranes to load and offload
  • SAFED – an advanced safety and efficiency driving course

Permits and planning

A significant part of abnormal load haulage is detailed preparation. We conduct route surveys to ensure that the route is feasible and to identify which permits are needed. All permits and permissions required are handled by our team; including organising private escorts and police escorts where necessary. we regularly provide end-to-end project management so we can also organise any other related services that you might need.

To discuss your abnormal load requirements, contact the transport team on [email protected].

What constitutes an abnormal load?

Abnormal loads which require additional permits or planning are those in which:

  • The length exceeds 18.75m or
  • The width exceeds 2.90m or
  • The weight exceeds 44tonne
  • There is no hard and fast rule regarding height, but as the minimum height of an unmarked bridge is 5.0m, a good rule of thumb is that loads should not exceed an all up height of 4.9m.

Depending on what the load is and how much it exceeds these guides, your abnormal load movement may require some or all of the following:

  • Specialist trailer / truck
  • Highways England permits such as VR1 or BE16
  • Notification of local authorities and/or bridge authorities
  • 2nd man or private escort
  • Police escort

The Williams Shipping transport team assesses each project individually to evaluate its requirements as well as organising all required permits and escorts for each load.

Contact the transport team now on 02380 701314 or [email protected] or take a look at our other services.

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  • I just wanted to say thank you – it was a very challenging site to work at and make delivery to. Your drivers showed courtesy, patience and professionalism throughout the day

    Philip Kingston,
    Kingston Building Solutions

  • Thank you for your assistance, it was very much appreciated and a special thank you to Bob who did a fantastic job.

    Jenny Wilkinson,
    Interserve Defence Ltd

  • We are very happy with the service provided by your company, especially the driver and we will be using your company for any future work.

    Bob Sarkar,
    National Gritting Service

  • I would like to personally thank you, as a company, and every one of your drivers for their professional approach to the deliveries to our site, all of your drivers have been absolutely fantastic.

    Andy Jenner,
    EP Renewable Energies Limited

  • On Behalf of the Environment Agency and the Residents of Romsey and Winchester, I would like to convey our warmest gratitude for the support you provided during recent flooding. Without you we would not have been able to respond as quickly or effectively as we did.

    James A Humphrys,
    Environment Agency

  • We would like to thank yourself and your team at Williams Shipping for all your help last week, your team were great at getting us around and in position where and when we needed to be in spite of some rotten weather.

    Cliff Stonestreet,
    Fully Fused Fireworks Worldwide Event Management

  • Thank you very much for your assistance and I have to say the two crew members on the vessel could not have been more helpful.

    Steve Beck,
    Burgess Marine

  • May I take this opportunity to thank you for an excellent service, could you also please pass on my thanks to all of your skippers who have helped us over the past few weeks.

    Gwyn Goforth,
    Svitzer UK