Fleet Line Shipping: The OOG specialist
By Peter K. Mathew
Managing Director, Fleet Line Shipping Services
Any cargo exceeding the internal dimensions of a standard container is considered as out of gauge, or OOG. This cargo can still be loaded onto container ships by using special equipment, such as flat rack, open top containers, but requires special handling devises in addition to the standard quay/gantry crane, together with manual intervention at the time of stowage.
The importance of specialist experience in this market
Potential demand for OOG cargo services is huge in the UAE, especially from the oil and gas and construction industries. Customers want a partner that understands the complexities of OOG cargo, whether it’s arranging the space on a container ship, stuffing and lashing, or securing a police escort and suitable truck for road transportation. However, the number of logistics companies that actually specialize in this niche market is quite limited.
Over the past 13 years, Fleet Line Shipping Services has become synonymous with OOG and project cargo movements. We commenced operations as a Dubai-based NVOCC company having own assets such as a range of special equipments like Flat Rack, Open Top, 45′, ISO tank containers and low bed trailers, while also partnering with a number of feeder operators and shipping lines for slot arrangements.
Since this time, customers have approached our company for additional value-added services like stuffing and lashing, industrial packing, and chartering ships for heavy lift cargo etc to have a one stop solution for all OOG and project cargo. We have responded swiftly to customers’ needs.
Today, we have in-house well trained lashing and packing team, which has DP world accreditation besides an ISO and HSE certification. We represent Europe-based break bulk ship-owners as exclusive agent in the Middle East region besides in-house chartering division, customs clearance etc to provide an End to End logistics solutions for all type of cargo.
Around 90% of our customers are freight forwarders, while the rest are direct shippers or consignees from various industries.
Why Ethical business operations will lead to long-term success
Fleet Line Shipping has adopted an ethical approach to business, which is well-known to the industry. To maintain a good synergy with our freight forwarding clients, we will never approach their customers, even on occasions when we are contacted by them.
Growth potential for the OOG market in Middle East countries
Although the market is little slow due to low oil price, we predict that demand will continue to rise for OOG movements in the Middle East, especially in Iraq and Iran. At the moment, a limited number of mother vessels are calling these ports, which means that freight will be routed through Jebel Ali port in Dubai.
Beating competition from other providers of OOG cargo services
Our customers save about 30% on OOG shipments than our nearest competitors. Thanks to our Tier one rate arrangements with world’s premium shipping lines & our in-house lashing & transport services. That’s why we are the market leaders in this segment.
To start with, we can quote the rate instantly for an OOG cargo. This is possible because we know the bay plan a vessel operator can make, thus we know how many slot killings it can be on a container. Additionally, by providing us dimensions and weight with a photograph of the cargo, we will be able to quote the stuffing and lashing charges, while even advising on the centre of gravity and lifting requirements. While our competitors take a couple of days for these things, we can take a few minutes.
