Efficient global transport of out-of-gauge oilwell cargo to Trinidad, expertly managed under tight offshore supply vessel deadlines.
Client: Confidential – Long-standing Oil & Gas Sector Partner
Industry: Energy / Oil & Gas Logistics
Origin: United Kingdom & United States
Destination: Chaguaramas, Trinidad & Tobago (via Port of Spain)
Challenge: Complex multimodal transport with oversized cargo, temporary import status, and a fixed offshore vessel deadline
Solution: Integrated sea, air, and chartered vessel logistics with Customs coordination and stakeholder alignment
Transit Time: Synchronised delivery within a tight window for offshore transfer
Result: Full shipment delivered on time, compliant with Customs process, offshore project completed without delay
The Background - Logistics Solution for time-critical shipment
Due to a long-standing relationship and previous project success, an existing client approached us with an exciting new project involving the movement of oilwell equipment to Trinidad and Tobago. Following initial discussions, it became clear that the job would involve multiple cargo types, including breakbulk, flat rack containers, and the shipper’s own containers, with various cargo dimensions and origins spanning the UK and USA.
Project cargo transportation carries risks and complexities, and the stakes were high on this specific project. All cargo had to arrive in-country on a tight deadline to connect with an offshore supply vessel operating on a limited turnaround schedule.
Project Cargo Challenges
The oilwell equipment project posed several complex logistical challenges.
Our first task was coordinating multiple cargo types, all under strict delivery deadlines and moving from different international origins. In addition, there were specific Customs requirements: the cargo would enter Trinidad under temporary import status before being shipped offshore to Guyana and then returned to Trinidad, all within a compressed timeframe.
Further complications arose with the destination port. The cargo was to be delivered to Chaguaramas, a small commercial port with no deep-sea vessel access, which ruled out direct container or breakbulk shipments.
To add another layer of difficulty, two of the flat rack containers carried cargo so out-of-gauge that road transportation was not viable due to width restrictions and overhead cables. Everything combined called for immediate creative solutions and close coordination with our on-ground team in Trinidad.
Logistical planning for Project Cargo Solutions
The project did pose multiple challenges. However, with our collective and extensive project cargo and logistics experience, we quickly implemented a framework to manage the operation.
The KC team set up and managed weekly calls with all stakeholders to maintain alignment and share real-time updates.
Working closely with our partners in the USA and Trinidad, we devised a multimodal transport plan involving deep-sea container vessels, breakbulk carriers, and airfreight—ensuring the majority of cargo would arrive in Trinidad within the same window.
Simultaneously, we collaborated with Trinidad Customs to ensure a transparent and compliant temporary import process, establishing documentation and protocols ahead of time for smooth entry and re-export.
The most pressing challenge was the out-of-gauge cargo, which added pressure due to delays in its arrival at the Port of Spain. While we explored options such as removing overhead power lines and arranging road closures, time constraints ruled out overland transport.
Instead, in coordination with the client and local Customs, we arranged for a charter vessel to transport the oversized cargo from Port of Spain to Chaguaramas. By the time it arrived, the remainder of the shipment was already cleared and staged, ready for final loading onto the offshore supply vessel.
Effective Project Cargo Management
Despite the obstacles, including vessel delays, missed connections, and extreme weather, our team successfully delivered all cargo within the tight deadline. The offshore supply vessel departed as planned. Thanks to early coordination with Customs, the temporary import and subsequent re-export were handled without issue, and the client could complete their offshore project as scheduled.
With weekly coordination calls, keeping all parties aligned, ensuring proactive problem-solving, and reinforcing a shared commitment to delivery, we ensured the project was a true collaboration between all stakeholders and a success.
KC Group Shipping has the experience, global reach, and local expertise to deliver complex project cargo and out-of-the-ordinary solutions.
