Project loading: Optimize Transport and Storage with the right SaaS Solution

What is project cargo, and why are a Forward Management System and a Warehouse Management System essential?

Project cargo involves the logistics of large, heavy, and complex goods that are crucial for large-scale projects in sectors such as construction, energy, infrastructure, and the offshore industry. Examples include wind turbine blades, transformers, bridge components, and industrial machinery. These shipments require a specialized approach for both transport and storage, as standard logistics processes are insufficient.

Efficient and Safe Management of Project Cargo with FMS and WMS

The logistical challenges of project cargo are significant: transport requires detailed route planning, special permits, and often multimodal transportation, while storage demands reinforced warehouse floors, lifting equipment, and precise inventory management. Managing project cargo becomes complex and error-prone without the right digital support.

A Forward Management System (FMS) and a Warehouse Management System (WMS) provide the solution. An FMS helps companies plan, track, and manage project cargo during transport, while a WMS ensures efficient storage, location allocation, and inventory management. By integrating these systems, businesses can optimize their logistics processes, enhance safety, and reduce operational costs.

Curious about how these systems can improve your project cargo logistics? Read on to discover how our software solutions create a more efficient and secure logistics process.

How a Forward Management System (FMS) optimizes Project Cargo

Challenges in Project Cargo Transportation

Transporting large industrial goods is vastly different from standard freight logistics. A 40-meter-long turbine or a 250-ton generator cannot simply be loaded onto a regular truck. This type of project transport requires detailed logistical planning and coordination with multiple stakeholders.

Key factors in project cargo transportation include:

Use of heavy transport equipment, such as modular trailers and extendable semi-trailers
Safety procedures and route escorting to ensure secure transportation
Transport documentation, including waybills and customs papers
Collaboration with ports, airports, and rail companies for multimodal transport
Special permits and regulations, which vary by region

How a Forward Management System helps

A Forward Management System (FMS) centralizes and automates the entire project cargo transport process, providing businesses with the following benefits:

Multimodal Transport Management:

Where different modes of transport seamlessly connect.

Automated processing:

Automated processing of customs documents and waybills to prevent delays.

Management of transport costs and capacity planning:

To optimize costs.

Value Added Service (VAS):

Providing clear insights into additional services and costs.

Case Study: Efficient Management of partial loads in transformer transport

An energy provider needed to transport a 280-ton transformer from Germany to Spain. This shipment included not only the main component but also several partial loads, such as supporting equipment, fastening materials, and additional lifting gear.

Challanges:

The transformer was too large and heavy for conventional road transport, requiring a combination of road and sea transport.
The transport required multiple special permits and a police escort due to its size and weight.
In addition to the transformer, extra cranes, lifting straps, and transport supports had to be rented and made available at the right time and location.
Supporting equipment and services, such as auxiliary materials and accompanying components, needed to be efficiently coordinated to ensure a clear cost estimation.

Solution with a Forward Management System (FMS):

Clear partial load planning: All transport components, including lifting equipment and fastening sets, were registered in the system and linked to the main delivery.
Multimodal planning: The FMS coordinated the smooth transition from road to sea transport, including partial loads with supporting materials.
Easy rental management: Additional cranes and transport components could be entered directly into the system and linked to the order to provide clear insight into costs and planning.
Time tracking and notifications: All involved parties, from transporters to crane companies, could track the status of both the main delivery and the associated partial loads.
Automated document processing: Permits for heavy transport and additional equipment were processed on time, preventing administrative delays.

Thanks to the Forward Management System, the transport of both the transformer and the associated partial loads was completed without delays or additional costs. All goods and support materials arrived precisely on time at the final destination, ensuring the project was completed without interruptions.

Storage of Project Cargo with a Warehouse Management System (WMS)

Why Storing Project Cargo is a challenge

Many project cargo items cannot simply be stored in a standard warehouse. This is due to:

The extreme dimensions and weights of the cargo
The need for specialized lifting equipment for movement
Sensitivity to weather conditions, requiring some goods to be stored in covered areas
Logistical coordination with transport companies to ensure goods are ready for shipment on time

A Warehouse Management System (WMS) helps companies efficiently manage storage locations and inventory control for project cargo.

How a WMS helps with Project Cargo

*Smart Inventory Management:

Zodat goederen snel en eenvoudig gelokaliseerd kunnen worden

Safety and Risk Management:

Waarbij naleving van opslagvoorschriften wordt gewaarborgd

Automated Location Assignment:

Afgestemd op de afmetingen en het gewicht van de lading

Integration with a Forward Management System:

zodat transport en opslag perfect op elkaar aansluiten

Case Study: Storage of wind turbine components in a distribution center

A wind turbine manufacturer needed to temporarily store large rotor blades and generators in a distribution center before shipping them to a wind farm.

Challanges:

The rotor blades were 75 meters long and did not fit into standard storage locations.
The generators each weighed over 50 tons and required a special lifting system.
A strict deadline had to be met to avoid installation delays.

Solution with WMS:

Advanced storage location planning, tailored to the large dimensions of the cargo
Automatic synchronization with transport planning to ensure timely cargo preparation
Real-time inventory monitoring, preventing errors and delays

Thanks to the Warehouse Management System, storage and shipping proceeded smoothly.

Frequently Asked Questions About Project Cargo Logistics

What is project cargo?

Project cargo refers to large, heavy, or complex goods that are often transported for specific industrial projects. These shipments require customized solutions for both transportation and storage due to their unique dimensions, weight, and handling requirements.

What is exceptional transport?

Exceptional transport, also known as special or heavy transport, refers to the transportation of goods that exceed standard dimensions and weights. This type of transport often requires specialized vehicles, permits, and route guidance to ensure the cargo is moved safely and efficiently.

What types of transport are used for project cargo?

Depending on the dimensions and weight of the cargo, different transport methods are used, such as modular trailers, extendable semi-trailers, cargo ships, and specialized rail wagons. In some cases, a combination of multiple transport modes is required, which is referred to as multimodal transport.

How is project cargo safely stored?

Project cargo is often stored in warehouses or storage yards that are specially equipped for heavy and oversized goods. This may require lifting installations, reinforced floors, and secured storage zones to ensure the safety and integrity of the cargo.

How does an FMS help with project cargo?

An FMS (Forward Management System) assists in the coordination and planning of project cargo by providing real-time tracking, document management, and freight flow optimization. This leads to a more efficient transport process, reduced administrative workload, and lower costs through improved route and capacity planning.

What is multimodal transport and why is it used for project cargo?

Multimodal transport is a logistics strategy that combines multiple modes of transportation—such as trucks, ships, trains, or airplanes—within a single supply chain process. For project cargo, this approach is often necessary to efficiently and cost-effectively transport goods over long distances and across different infrastructures.

How can a Warehouse Management System (WMS) help with project cargo storage?

A WMS (Warehouse Management System) helps companies efficiently manage the storage of project cargo through automated location assignment, inventory management, and integration with transport planning. This ensures that heavy and oversized goods are safely stored, easily located, and seamlessly dispatched.

What are the biggest challenges in transporting and storing project cargo?

The biggest challenges in project cargo include obtaining the necessary permits, carefully planning routes, and finding suitable storage facilities. Additionally, companies must consider safety regulations, logistical coordination, and potential delays caused by external factors such as weather conditions or customs procedures.

How can SaaS software help manage project cargo logistics?

SaaS solutions, such as an FMS or WMS, automate and optimize the entire process of transporting and storing project cargo. They assist in real-time cargo monitoring, managing customs documentation, optimizing routes, and reducing administrative workload, resulting in greater efficiency and cost savings.

How do I request a demo to see how an FMS and WMS can help my business?

You can easily request a free demo by clicking the link below and filling in your details. Our experts will then contact you to discuss the possibilities of an FMS and WMS and provide a demonstration tailored to your specific logistics needs.

Why choose the project cargo solutions of Adaption Logistic Cloud Suite?

Managing project cargo is a complex challenge that requires a smart, efficient, and reliable logistics approach. Large, heavy, and exceptional goods demand precise planning, advanced inventory management, and seamless collaboration between carriers, warehouse managers, and customers. With the Adaption Logistic Cloud Suite, you have the most comprehensive solution to overcome these challenges.

Which strategy fits your logistics operation?

Efficient transport management with a Forward Management System (FMS)

An efficient transport process is crucial for project cargo, where unconventional dimensions and weights require precise coordination. With Adaption’s Forward Management System (FMS), you gain full control over multimodal transport, route planning, and real-time tracking. This prevents delays and unexpected costs, while smart document automation ensures that permits, waybills, and customs paperwork are always in order. Through integration with external logistics partners, the FMS provides an end-to-end solution for seamless deliveries, even in the most complex transport scenarios.

Smart storage and inventory management with a Warehouse Management System (WMS)

For project cargo, storage is more than just a temporary stop; it requires specialized infrastructure and advanced inventory management. Adaption’s Warehouse Management System (WMS) optimizes warehouse space through smart location allocation and integration with lifting and transport systems. This enhances efficiency and safety in handling heavy and oversized goods. Additionally, the WMS helps reduce storage costs and minimize damage through automated risk management and continuous cargo monitoring. With a seamless integration to the FMS, storage and transport are perfectly aligned, ensuring that project cargo always reaches its final destination on time and in optimal condition.

Want to learn more about how these methods can improve your logistics?

Contact us for a no-obligation consultation or schedule a demo. Together, we’ll achieve your logistics goals and support your company’s growth!

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