Career
Growing demand for the transportation of oversized cargo is a result of global economic development and increasingly sophisticated information technology. The popularity of yachts, boats, and other large vehicles as well as the construction of better road infrastructure, larger buildings, and more advanced communication networks are all leading to increased requirements for transportation solutions for goods with non-standard dimensions.
Sometimes rail transportation of oversized cargo is a cost-effective delivery option, since large and heavy cargo can be delivered with minimal financial costs.
In October, as a test, an AsstrA client dispatched a double-decker passenger train, consisting of 6 cars and weighing over 300 tons. The railcars covered the route from Brest, Belarus, to the village of Dunakeshi, Hungary, in 4 days. The goods were intended for the Hungarian State Railways (MAV).
The primary task, when transporting oversized cargo, is to prepare the necessary documentation. Transport and logistics experts pay a great deal of attention to the registration of special permits for transportation along a designated route. In this case, it took the AsstrA team 2 months to work out the route and agree the terms of transportation with railway administrators.
Oleg Bykov
“This summer, the team started working on this unique project. The bar was set high: to transfer a finished train with a separate locomotive. Delivery of oversized cargo by rail has a relatively low cost compared to road transport,” says Oleg Bykov, AsstrA Country Manager for the Republic of Belarus.
The company's experts monitored each stage of the pilot project in detail. They personally handled key processes such as inspecting the cargo’s condition, ensuring customs clearance for the train, and overseeing the acceptance of the railcars in Hungary. As a result, the five double-decker train was delivered safe and sound to the final recipient.
Ewa Trochimiuk
“We successfully executed this a non-standard project for the transportation of passenger cars. Until now, I have had some experience transporting subway rail cars, but I have always shipped oversized cargo from west to east. This time I sent it in the opposite direction, and it turned out to be a serious test,” recalls Ewa Trochimiuk, EU Rail Freight Division Forwarder. “In this project, I was responsible not only for the coordination of railway transportation but also clarifying the details of the transport process. My responsibilities included ensuring customs clearance, border crossing, timely delivery, and proper receipt of the train at the destination station.”
In addition, we must not forget about how legislation has been tighter and administrative obstacles have been higher as a result of Covid-19. This mode of transport required a convoy consisting of representatives of the manufacturing plant.
“This was our first project of this type, but thanks to great cooperation with the customer and railway representatives, it went smoothly and was ultimately a success. We have gained great experience we can use in the future,” summarizes Ewa Trochimiuk.
