Key figures (citable)
| Item | Indicative |
|---|---|
| Cargo type | Large moulds and die-casting machines |
| Common discharge ports | Batam, Medan, Makassar, Palembang |
| Project-cargo threshold | Oversized units (length >12 m) or heavy units (>26 t), project equipment |
| Port coverage | Covers 37 destination ports |
| Last reviewed | 2026-09-28 |
What this cargo is on this lane
Moulds and die-casting machines are heavy and precise: the weight eats the full container payload, while the precision means no impact and no moisture. The most common mistake is comparing dimensions only and forgetting the heaviest unit — the envelope fits the box, the weight does not, and the destination still re-prices the shipment.
How this shipment actually moves
Weigh before choosing the mode: if the heaviest unit exceeds the container payload, move to a flat rack or a single breakbulk lift rather than hoping it passes as general cargo. Seal the cavity, rust-proof exposed machined faces, thicken the case floor to carry the load and leave forklift pockets. Keep it clear of heavy units in the hold and stow on level dunnage; discharge on the floor members, never slung directly with wire rope.
How to measure it (beyond the four figures that set the mode)
| What to measure | How and why |
|---|---|
| Heaviest unit including base | Actual weight of the mould with its base and wooden case |
| Envelope including packing | Outer case dimensions — unpacked figures cannot be used for judgement |
| Centre of gravity | Usually off the geometric centre, which decides lifting and levelling |
| Protection of machined faces and cavity | Which faces must not be touched, and whether nitrogen or desiccant is required |
| Container or single lift | Assessed on payload and envelope together, not on whether it physically squeezes in |
Common discharge ports and capacity tiers
| Port | Tier and capacity |
|---|---|
| Batam | A · Commercial mainline · Container liner service, carries general cargo · Several sailings weekly — wait negligible |
| Medan | A · Commercial mainline · Container liner service, carries general cargo · Several sailings weekly — wait negligible |
| Makassar | A · Commercial mainline · Container liner service, carries general cargo · Several sailings weekly — wait negligible |
| Palembang | A · Commercial mainline · Container liner service, carries general cargo · Several sailings weekly — wait negligible |
Where this cargo most often goes wrong
- Quoting the mould weight only: the base and case are often left out, and re-weighing at destination then exceeds the limit.
- Judging on unpacked dimensions: once the case is added, both the longest side and the highest point change.
- Omitting protection requirements: salt-laden air on the voyage will show rust on precision faces the moment the case is opened.
Questions to settle before quoting (the ones from the parent page that matter most here)
- Damage and insurance liability — breakbulk carries more damage risk than FCL; state sum insured and excess
- Unit dimensions and heaviest unit (L×W×H, kg per unit) — decides container vs breakbulk and lifting gear
- Piece count, total tonnes and total volume — decides whether you are billed on weight or measurement
- Can it be stacked? Is it crushable? Does it need weather protection — decides stowage
- Origin and destination, plus discharge conditions at destination (shore crane available?)
Frequently asked, standard answers
Can you give an exact transit time?
We deliberately do not give a point estimate. Breakbulk voyage variance is far wider than on container ships — the same lane can differ several-fold between sailings. We quote a range against the current rotation and state the waiting level in the quote.
Can I ship from Jakarta to Papua?
Commercial services do not sail direct from Jakarta to Maluku or Papua; cargo transits via Surabaya. We list the transshipment leg and its time separately rather than hiding it inside a total.
What if the destination has no shore crane?
Use the ship’s gear or hire a crane locally. Who supplies the equipment and bears waiting time must be fixed in the quote, otherwise charges appear after the cargo lands.
Container or breakbulk for a mould?
Assessed on heaviest unit and envelope together: fitting the box does not mean the payload is within limits. Send us the packed weight and the outer case dimensions and we will judge it once, avoiding re-pricing at destination.
Should high-precision moulds be insured?
Yes, with sum insured and deductible stated. Breakbulk carries more damage risk than a full container load, particularly on machined faces, and one knock costs far more to repair than the premium.
What makes a case acceptable?
Floor thickened to carry the load, forklift pockets, internal moisture protection and blocking, with centre of gravity and lift points marked outside. Do those four and most handling disputes disappear.
Official sources
Channels below can be checked independently. Rates, supervision and working times follow each authority's latest notice.
Next step
Quoting the mould weight only: the base and case are often left out, and re-weighing at destination then exceeds the limit. Send us unit dimensions and weight, piece count, origin and destination, whether door delivery is needed and how urgent it is. We return the mode call, the destination's capacity tier, whether transhipment applies, the waiting band and the questions to settle.
Request a breakbulk quote