Oversized cargo: Challenge's expertise

Approximately 35% of Challenge’s business involves non-standard cargo, which has required the company to develop specialized expertise. Challenge Handling has dedicated equipment such as a 52-ton high-loader (the largest in Europe) and special pallets for handling bulky or heavy items.
The company relies on procedures compliant with IATA standards and Boeing manuals, as well as on staff trained to design customized solutions.

Thomas Debay, Vertical & Temperature Controlled Manager, tells us more:

• What is oversized cargo?

  Oversized cargo refers to any goods whose dimensions or weight exceed the limits acceptable for standard transport. This includes items that are too wide, too heavy, or have an unusual shape that do not fit easily onto standard ULDs.

• What types of goods most frequently fall into the oversized cargo category today?

  Among the goods most often considered oversized are: 

  • Heavy industrial components: turbines, engine parts, sections of power generation equipment
  • Aviation: large engines, aircraft parts, AOG equipment
  • Vehicle and machinery transport: helicopters, yachts, bus chassis, luxury cars.
  • Poles, infrastructure components (such as drilling equipment): long or bulky items that are difficult to palletize.
      

• What are the main technical challenges associated with oversized cargo?

   Loading oversized cargo is not a simple push/lift operation but requires meticulous coordination, structured calculations, and the involvement of specialized teams.