Streamlining Oversize Freight Transportation at the Mexico Border

As trade expands across the U.S.-Mexico border, efficient and reliable heavy haul transportation solutions continue to be essential. However, not all transportation providers have the expertise or equipment needed to facilitate oversized cross-border shipments.

As an expert in heavy haul transportation, Landstar is dedicated to streamlining the process of transporting oversize freight across the border. The solution: a one-of-a-kind 120-ton bridge crane built to handle the heaviest super loads at its U.S.-Mexico Logistics Service Center, near the border’s busiest gateway in Laredo, Texas.

Transporting Oversize Freight at the Mexico Border

When clearing customs, many shippers opt to transload their freight, which involves moving it from one trailer to another at a logistics facility on the U.S. side of the border. While most transportation providers have the capability to transload standard freight on-site, heavy haul loads require specialized tools designed to handle the extreme size and weight of the cargo.

If a transportation provider lacks on-site equipment, it must rent a crane from an industrial rigging company, which can lead to extra costs for the shipper and up to three days of added transit time. There is also an inherent risk involved anytime freight changes hands. Together, these factors can add unnecessary challenges for heavy haul shippers in a supply chain where cost and efficiency are crucial.

But there is an easier way. Landstar’s 120-ton bridge crane at its logistics service center in Laredo, Texas offers an on-site solution for heavy haul transloads, helping shippers reduce the time, cost and risk involved with moving oversize freight across the border.

Landstar’s Bridge Crane Advantage

Landstar’s 120-ton bridge crane is the only one of its kind in Laredo and is built to handle the largest cross-border loads, with a clearance area of 35 feet high and 37 feet wide. It offers heavy haul shippers an option that prioritizes safety, efficiency and savings.

Safety

Landstar’s bridge-crane reflects the company’s safety-first culture and is designed to help minimize the potential for freight damage during handling. Unlike portable commercial cranes that are built for a variety of applications, Landstar’s bridge crane is fixed in place and custom-built to meet the specific requirements for transloading large and heavy freight. Shippers can also feel confident knowing that these transload operations are conducted at a secure Landstar owned and operated facility.

Efficiency

With the bridge crane, Landstar can provide a one-bill solution for heavy haul freight crossing the Mexico border. Crane operations are handled internally, bypassing the need for coordination with a third-party crane company, and resulting in more efficient planning and schedule control. When an oversized load is expected, the bridge crane can be prepared for transloading while the shipment is in transit. This eliminates unnecessary downtime for the shipment upon arrival. Once at Landstar’s Laredo facility a crane transload of freight can typically be completed in around two hours from the time scheduled.  

Savings

Shippers can reduce their cross-border transportation costs by using Landstar's in-house heavy haul transload solution, which is more economical than hiring a third-party crane company or choosing through-trailer service. Additionally, this offering speeds up freight movement through the supply chain, minimizing idle time and resulting in overall cost savings.

Key Takeaway

Landstar's 120-ton bridge crane represents a significant advantage when moving oversize freight across the U.S.–Mexico border. By simplifying the transloading process and eliminating the need for external crane services, shippers benefit from a safe, streamlined, and cost-effective transportation solution.

Learn More about Cross-Border Heavy Haul Solutions