Abnormal loads, planned, permitted, delivered.
Wide, tall, long and heavy loads, moved on our own gooseneck lowbeds and step decks. We assess the route and the risks, apply for the permits in every province on the way, arrange the escorts, and lift with our own certified crane and rigging crews.
- 5 + 5Gooseneck lowbeds and step decks
- Every provincePermits on your route
- 1 to 50 tLifts at our Germiston depot
From survey to site, in four steps.
- 01
Assess
We review the load and the route, analyse the risks, and write the transport strategy and method statement.
- 02
Permit
We apply for the abnormal load permits in every province the route crosses.
- 03
Escort and move
Our lowbed or step deck moves the load with the escorts the permit sets, and police escorts where needed.
- 04
Deliver
We deliver to your site, and our certified crane and rigging crews can lift and place the load.
Request an abnormal load quote
Your load
Step 1 of 7- Load
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- Abnormal
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- From
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- To
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- Lift
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- When
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- Load check
- Optional
Our own lowbeds, cranes and crews
Safe abnormal transport takes the right equipment and a documented plan. We bring both, from the first survey to the last shackle.
Equipment we own
- Gooseneck lowbedsFive, purpose-designed
- Step decksFive, our own
- Crane trucksCertified to the last sling and D-shackle
- Reach stackers and forklifts1.5 to 45 t, with an operator
What we handle
- Risk analysisA transport strategy and method statement
- PermitsApplications in every province on the route
- EscortsPolice escorts arranged where needed
- 24-hour monitoringControllers monitor the fleet around the clock
Plan first
We review the load and the route, and write the transport strategy and method statement before anything moves.
Heavy lifts
Lifts from 1 up to 50 tons at our Germiston depot, with our own cranes and certified rigging gear.
Trained crews
Our crews are trained in rigging, safety, risk management, supervision, firefighting and first aid.
Where we operate
We move abnormal loads across South Africa, with permits in every province on the route, from our depot in Germiston and our office in Greyville, Durban.
- Germiston depot69–71 Barlow Road, Jupiter, Germiston 011 873 4786
- Durban · Greyville81 Berea Road, Greyville, Durban 031 305 0438


Part of Shipping & General Transport
Shipping & General Transport is a privately owned South African logistics company built on trustworthiness, perseverance and reliability. Abnormal Transporters is one of its specialist services. Its crane trucks and rigging crews serve the power utilities and heavy industries market, with transport, warehousing and a customs-licensed depot under one roof.
Visit shippingandgeneral.co.zaAbnormal load questions
Can’t find your answer? Our team is a phone call away.
Call 011 873 4786What makes a load abnormal?
A vehicle and its load become abnormal when they go over any legal limit: 2.6 m wide, 4.3 m high from the road, 18.5 m long for a truck and semi-trailer (22 m for other combinations), or 56 t for truck, trailer and load together, often less depending on the axles. These limits come from the National Road Traffic Regulations. An abnormal load needs a permit before it moves.
Who applies for the permit?
We do. Shipping & General applies for the abnormal load permits in every province the route crosses, as part of the move.
Will my load need escorts?
It depends on how wide and long it is, and on the roads it uses. The permit sets the escorts. We arrange them, and police escorts where the permit needs them.
What trailers do you use?
Our own purpose-designed gooseneck lowbeds and step decks: five of each.
Can you lift the load on and off?
Yes. Our crane trucks and rigging gear are certified right down to the last sling and D-shackle, and our crews are trained in rigging and safety. At our Germiston depot we lift from 1 up to 50 tons.
What do you need from me for a quote?
The size and mass of the load, with a drawing or photo if you have one, where it loads and where it goes, access at both ends, whether it needs a lift, and when it must move. The load check above helps with the size.
How do you plan an abnormal move?
We review the shipment, analyse the risks on the route, and write a transport strategy and method statement. Then come the permits, the escorts and the move itself.
Do you move containers too?
Yes. Shipping & General moves 20ft and 40ft containers too, and can set one down on the ground with a side loader.
How much does it cost?
Every abnormal move is different, so we don’t publish prices. Answer the seven short questions in the quote form, add the load check if you have it, and our team calls you with a price for your actual move.
Tell us what needs to move.
Seven short questions, plus the load check if you have it. No prices online, just a quote on your actual load.