A Great Alternative for Super Loads

When transporting oversized machinery across the United States and Canada — the Great Lakes offer a tempting alternative to rail and truck. The Great Lakes are connected by a series of channels and canals leading ocean vessels and barges inland as far west as Duluth, Minnesota. As manufacturers continue building larger and more powerful equipment, transporters are challenged to find safe, cost-effective routes for these super loads. Rail and truck are reliable means but can be hindered by dimensional and weight restrictions as well as local DOT permitting and escort concerns. The open waters of the Great Lakes allow flexibility in transporting larger, heavier equipment deeper into to the midwestern United States and Canada. While seasonal limitations do apply (the Great Lakes are generally closed to vessels from the end of October to the end of March) they should be remembered as a safe, cost-effective option for future transportation challenges.

Contributor: Jessica Welschans

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Allyn International is dedicated to providing high quality, customer centric services and solutions for the global marketplace. Allyn's core products include transportation management, logistics sourcing, freight forwarding, supply chain consulting, tax management and global trade compliance. Allyn clients range from small local businesses to Fortune 500 firms. Allyn conducts business in more than 20 languages and has extensive experience in both developed and emerging markets. Highly trained experts are positioned throughout North America, Europe and Asia. Allyn’s regional headquarters are strategically located in Fort Myers, Florida, U.S.A., Shanghai, P.R. China and Prague, Czech Republic. For more information, visit www.allynintl.com.