Hapag-Lloyd looks to attract more oversized cargo business

German ocean carrier Hapag-Lloyd is working to make customers aware about its ability to carry cargo that doesn’t fit neatly in a standard container and has hired more specialists to provide advice on how to carefully handle such loads.    Ocean carrier Hapag-Lloyd said it is investing more resources to handle out-of-gauge cargo on its container vessels and grow that segment of its business.
   The German liner said it has hired more sales and technical specialists in major markets around the world to complement its Special Cargo Division at the Hamburg headquarters. There are more than 50 persons now available to help customers with overweight or oversize cargo that does not fit into standard containers.
   Hapag-Lloyd officials also said they are boosting their sales and marketing activity to let shippers know about their expertise in transporting irregular container cargo, something they have been doing for decades. This type of cargo requires special safety and storage procedures compared to regular containers that are simply placed in cells or stacked on deck, but it also tends to be more profitable.
   Oversize cargo can be carried different types of specialty containers, such as flat racks (sides on both ends), open top containers (convertible top that can be removed so that taller materials can be shipped), double door containers for wider loading and unloading, and tunnel containers (doors on both ends).
   “Safe and punctual transport of special cargo is a major priority for us,” Michael Pradel, managing director Region Europe and the man responsible for implementation of the project, said in a statement. “Each transport is individually organized, coordinated and monitored by experienced engineers and navigators.” 
   The company provides customers with a local contact who personally supervises loading and unloading procedures.
   Hapag Lloyd wouldn’t provide details about how much of its volume is oversize cargo, but the niche divisions of refrigerated cargo, special cargo, cabotage, U.S. flag and dangerous goods together represent about 15 percent of the carrier’s volume and contribute about 25 percent of its revenue, spokesman Christian Denso said.
   The recent opening of Iran to normal trade, big construction projects in the Middle East and other types of projects in Asia, North America and Europe are driving demand for out-of-gauge shipments, he said.