What Is Flat Rack Shipping? Uses, Costs and When to Use It

Flat rack shipping is the method of choice when cargo is too wide, too tall, or too irregular for a standard shipping container, and cannot be driven under its own power onto a RoRo vessel.

If you are shipping a boat, a crane, an oversized piece of industrial equipment, or any cargo that simply does not fit inside a standard container, flat rack is likely the solution you need.

What Is a Flat Rack Container?

A flat rack is essentially a heavy-duty, open shipping platform. It has a reinforced steel floor and fixed or collapsible end walls, but no roof and no side walls. Cargo sits on top of the platform and is secured using chains, straps, and custom blocking to prevent movement during ocean transit.

The flat rack, with cargo on it, is then lifted by port cranes and loaded onto the vessel.

Standard flat rack dimensions: - 20-foot flat rack: approximately 6 meters long, 2.4 meters wide, load capacity up to 30 metric tons - 40-foot flat rack: approximately 12 meters long, 2.4 meters wide, load capacity up to 40 metric tons - No fixed height restrictions. Cargo can extend above the platform

When Flat Rack Is the Right Choice

Flat rack shipping is appropriate when:

• The cargo is oversized: too wide, too tall, or too long for a standard container
• You are shipping a boat or marine vessel: the hull shape, width, and height of most boats makes an enclosed container impractical
• The machine is inoperative: cannot be driven for RoRo
• The destination port lacks RoRo service: flat rack works at any port with crane handling capability
• The cargo has an irregular shape: cranes, booms, attachments, industrial components that do not pack efficiently

How Flat Rack Shipping Works

1. Pickup: We collect the cargo from its location in the United States
2. Preparation: For boats, we drain all fluids (required for maritime safety). We then shrink-wrap the vessel for protection
3. Placement: Cargo is carefully positioned on the flat rack in the optimal configuration
4. Securing: Chains, straps, and custom blocking are used to prevent any movement
5. Lashing: Professional lashing to international maritime standards
6. Port transport: The flat rack is transported to the port via specialized trailer
7. Loading: Port cranes lift the flat rack and load it onto the vessel
8. Ocean transit: Cargo shipped to the destination port
9. Discharge: Cranes at the destination port unload the flat rack

Flat Rack vs RoRo vs Container: Choosing the Right Method

| Method | Best For | Machine Condition | Port Requirement | |---|---|---|---| | RoRo | Operational machinery | Must drive under own power | RoRo-capable port | | Container | Any machinery, multiple units | Operational or not | Standard container port | | Flat Rack | Oversized, boats, irregular cargo | Operational or not | Any port with cranes | | Mafi | Extremely heavy or large cargo | Operational or not | RoRo-capable port |

Our Full-Service Flat Rack Shipping

We handle everything from pickup to port. For boats and marine vessels, our service includes:

• Pickup from the boat's location (on its trailer)
• Complete fluid draining (gasoline, oil, bilge water)
• Shrink-wrapping for protection against salt air and weather
• Flat rack positioning, securing, and lashing
• Export documentation and customs paperwork
• Ocean freight to your destination port

Contact us with your cargo dimensions and destination. We will confirm the most cost-effective flat rack configuration and provide a complete quote.