From Flat Rack to Vessel-Ready: How Grindrod Logistics Executed a Seamless OOG Unpacking and Storage Operation

When cargo is too big, too valuable, and too sensitive to risk — you don’t just need a transporter. You need a logistics partner. On 29 May 2025, Grindrod Logistics was tasked with unpacking an 18.8-ton out-of-gauge (OOG) silo from a flat rack, transferring it onto a low-bed trailer, and strategically staging it for vessel delivery.

The challenge? Coordinating multiple moving parts within a single operational day — from permits and haulers to weight-based stacking instructions — all while ensuring the integrity of the cargo and compliance with client protocols. The result? Flawless execution.

The Cargo: Oversized, Sensitive, and Vessel-Bound

The cargo was a silo of industrial scale, classified as OOG due to its size and configuration. With a weight of nearly 19 tons and designated as both sensitive and high-value, the cargo required careful handling, controlled equipment, and exact compliance with client requirements — including the use of nylon strapping and on-site oversight by a Pacon surveyor.

Unlike a traditional door-to-door delivery, this job was a critical staging process ahead of a vessel export — making every placement and timeline decision count.

The silo being lifted by reach stacker

The Process: Unpacked, Transferred, Stacked

The day began with our operations team preparing the site for unpacking. A 45-ton reach stacker was deployed to safely offload the OOG silo from the flat-rack container. Once lifted, the cargo was loaded onto a low-bed trailer for transfer to Grindrod Logisitic's depot.

There, it was stacked by weight in alignment with the client’s vessel load plan — a strategic requirement to ensure the heaviest OOG units are loaded first onto the ship. By 17h00, the cargo was safely unpacked, relocated, and staged — ready for final export.

Precision placement on the low-bed

Real-World Challenges, Real-Time Solutions

As with any live logistics environment, complications emerged.

The Driver Release Order (DRO) from the client was delayed, which stalled truck dispatch. Meanwhile, synchronizing haulers, rigging teams, and on-site supervision required continuous coordination.

Grindrod Logistic’s team responded with immediacy: communication was escalated to the client’s line for documentation release, while GLO staff actively coordinated trucker and rigging timing. On-site visual checks ensured the nylon strapping was correctly installed before the low-bed departed, maintaining both safety and compliance.

The Outcome: A Full-Day Success, Staged for Export

Within just one workday, the silo had been:

• Successfully unpacked from the flat rack

• Transferred without damage to a low-bed trailer

• Stacked in line with vessel call requirements

All client KPIs were met — and exceeded. The Pacon surveyor signed off on compliance, the strapping was secure, and the cargo was safely positioned for the next stage of its global journey. Here is what our client had to say:

“The Grindrod Logistics team demonstrated true operational excellence. The coordination was seamless, and our cargo was handled with the utmost care. We are extremely pleased with the outcome.”

Storage at the depot, weight-sequenced

Vessel Ready

Why It Matters: More Than Movement — It’s Mastery

This wasn’t just a cargo handover — it was a demonstration of Grindrod Logistics’ ability to deliver multi-phase OOG handling with precision and pace. From vessel prep to storage logic, we understood the stakes — and delivered with zero compromise.

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