An integrated road-sea transport solution involving a ramp-equipped trailer, Ro-Ro shipping and T1 customs transit arranged at origin.
Project Overview
Asian Logistics coordinated the international transport of an excavator from Switzerland to Patras, Greece, using a combined road and sea transport solution via the Venice-Fusina terminal in Italy.
The excavator weighed 21 tonnes and measured 9.00 × 2.55 × 3.20 metres (L × W × H). Due to the nature of the equipment and the loading requirements at the factory, a ramp-equipped trailer was required for collection.
Transport Operations
The shipment was organised into the following operational stages:
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Ex-works collection in Switzerland: positioning of a ramp-equipped trailer at the manufacturer’s premises to load the excavator.
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Road transport to Venice-Fusina: overland transportation from Switzerland to the Italian ferry terminal.
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Ro-Ro shipping to Greece: onward sea transport from Venice-Fusina to the Port of Patras.
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Customs transit arrangements: issuance of the T1 transit document in Switzerland, with Greece as the customs destination.
Technical and Customs Considerations
Transporting heavy construction machinery requires careful assessment of cargo dimensions, weight, loading arrangements and the requirements of the selected transport route.
For this shipment, a ramp-equipped trailer was necessary to accommodate the excavator’s loading requirements directly at the factory.
From a customs perspective, the T1 transit procedure was initiated in Switzerland, with Greece as the destination, allowing the shipment to move under the applicable customs transit arrangements.
The combination of road haulage and Ro-Ro ferry transport between Venice-Fusina and Patras provided the logistical framework for moving the excavator to its final destination.
Shipment Details
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Cargo | 1 excavator |
| Origin | Switzerland – ex-works collection |
| Destination | Patras, Greece |
| Route | Switzerland → Venice-Fusina → Patras |
| Dimensions | 9.00 × 2.55 × 3.20 m |
| Gross cargo weight | 21,000 kg |
| Road transport equipment | Ramp-equipped trailer |
| Sea transport | Ro-Ro ferry |
| Customs documentation | T1 transit document issued in Switzerland, destination Greece |
Results for the Customer
The combined road-sea transport solution enabled the excavator to be moved from Switzerland to Patras, integrating factory collection with a ramp-equipped trailer and Ro-Ro shipping via Venice-Fusina.
One single point of contact from collection to delivery provided the customer with centralised shipment management, coordinating the transport operations and customs documentation throughout the logistics process.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to transport an excavator from Switzerland to Greece?
The cost of international excavator transport depends on several factors, including the machine’s dimensions and weight, collection and delivery locations, equipment requirements and ferry schedules.
Are special permits required for oversized excavator transport?
Permit requirements depend on the cargo dimensions, transport configuration and regulations of the countries involved. These requirements are assessed during transport planning.
What is a T1 customs transit document?
A T1 is a customs transit declaration generally used to move non-Union goods under customs supervision between authorised points without paying import duties and taxes at each transit border. Duties and taxes, where applicable, are dealt with when the transit procedure is completed and the goods are placed under the relevant customs procedure.
Can heavy machinery be shipped via Venice to other destinations?
Yes. Asian Logistics organises combined road-sea transport solutions for heavy machinery and construction equipment from Italy and other European countries to Greece and destinations across the Mediterranean.
Need to Ship Heavy Machinery?
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