Sea Freight and Container Stuffing of Horse Van Trailers in 20′ Open Top Containers
Managing logistics for special and high-value cargo requires solutions that combine maximum cargo protection with cost-efficient transport.
A Libyan client entrusted us, as Italian freight forwarders, with organizing the sea freight of a series of professional horse van trailers, handled from the pickup location and delivered to the Port of Misurata, Libya.
Due to the dimensions of the vans, the operation required the use of special 20′ Open Top containers managed under vertical out-of-gauge (OOG) cargo regulations, with a dedicated lashing and securing plan and the application of extra-size tarpaulins for the sea leg.
Why Choose Open Top Containers for Horse Van Trailers
Horse van trailers typically have a height that exceeds the usable internal height of a standard closed container (high cube included), making them out-of-gauge cargo relative to ISO container parameters. The solution adopted for this shipment was the use of 20′ DV Open Top containers, which have no rigid roof, allowing the trailer to be loaded from above by crane or forklift.
This configuration requires particular attention during the planning phase: the effective height of the trailer from the ground to its highest point (typically the curved roof or roof vent) and its lateral clearance must be verified, in order to establish whether the cargo needs to be declared as out of gauge cargo to the shipping line.
Pickup, Container Stuffing, Fastening and Lashing
The trailers were collected directly from the client’s depot and transferred to our logistics warehouse in Marghera, where the container stuffing operation took place. Once the trailers were positioned inside the containers, the fastening phase followed, securely anchoring the chassis and tow bars to the container structure using straps and tensioners, to prevent any longitudinal or lateral movement of the cargo. This was followed by the lashing phase, with crossed rigging tensioned from the tow bar attachment point to the container corners: a configuration designed to absorb the stresses typical of sea transport, such as rolling and pitching, and to ensure full cargo stability throughout the voyage to the Port of Misurata.
Extra-Size Tarpaulin Covering
Since the cargo was out of gauge, the standard tarpaulins supplied with the containers could not be used. Extra-size protective tarpaulins were therefore supplied and installed to accommodate the larger dimensions. The tarpaulins were shaped over the protruding section of the horse van trailers and secured along the entire outer perimeter of the containers. This procedure ensured complete weatherproofing against atmospheric agents and sea salt spray throughout the voyage.
Sea Freight Shipment and Delivery to Misurata
Once stuffing and lashing were completed, the containers were customs cleared and loaded for sea freight shipment to the Port of Misurata, Libya. The client had a single point of contact for the entire operation, from the pickup of the horse van trailers to final delivery, covering road transport in Italy, export customs procedures, and the ocean freight leg.
Do you have special cargo to manage? Contact us — we’ll find the right solution.
