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Project plan: oilfield modules, Houston to Nigeria

Project plan

Project plan: oilfield modules, Houston to Nigeria

Skid-mounted oilfield modules from the Houston area can sail RoRo from Freeport, Texas, to Lagos in 27 to 32 days[1] on roll trailers rated up to 154 US tons (140 t) in one fleet[2]; larger process modules go breakbulk on a heavy-lift ship[3], and any module that holds fuel or batteries ships as a hazardous material[4].

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Freeport, Texas, to Lagos by RoRo[1]
27–32 days
cargo on the heaviest roll trailers in one RoRo fleet[2]
154 US tons140,000 kg
combined crane lift on the heaviest ships in one heavy-lift fleet[3]
2,205 US tons (2,000 t)
gasoline left in a machine’s tank, at most, for transport[4]
500 mL

This is a project plan, not a record of a completed job. It shows how we would plan the move from the published carrier, port and regulatory data cited below; the manufacturer’s drawings replace every assumption once we have them.

The plan, step by step

  1. 01

    List every module

    For each skid and module we record the weight, dimensions, lifting points and whether it holds fuel, batteries, chemicals or residue. That list sets the ship, the hazardous materials paperwork and the lift plan.

  2. 02

    Drain, isolate and declare

    A tank of gasoline or other flammable fuel is drained to 500 mL or less and closed; a diesel engine may keep its fuel if the tank has room for expansion. Batteries stay installed and secured, with the terminals protected[4].

  3. 03

    Classify for export

    The exporter confirms each item’s ECCN or EAR99, and Electronic Export Information is filed in AES for each Schedule B line over $2,500[6].

  4. 04

    Choose the sailing

    Grimaldi loads Freeport, Texas, for Lagos[1]; Sallaum loads Baltimore and Jacksonville for Lagos in 21 to 36 days[7]. Modules beyond roll trailer limits go on a heavy-lift ship booked for the project[3].

  5. 05

    Pack and block

    Crates, skids and blocking of solid wood are ISPM 15 heat-treated and stamped before they reach the port[5].

  6. 06

    Discharge at Lagos

    The consignee’s clearing agent handles Nigerian customs. Before booking a piece that needs lifting at discharge, we confirm the crane capacity at the berth.

Sailings from the U.S. to Africa

Map of U.S. load ports and destination portsU.S. load ports: Freeport, Jacksonville, Brunswick, Charleston, Norfolk, Baltimore, Newark. Ports with a direct sailing: Dakar, Tema, Lomé, Cotonou, Lagos, Durban, Gqeberha, Cape Town. Ports without one: Mombasa, Dar es Salaam.FreeportJacksonvilleBrunswickCharlestonNorfolkBaltimoreNewarkDakarTemaLoméCotonouLagosDurbanGqeberhaCape TownMombasaDar es Salaam
Solid line: RoRo serviceDashed line: container serviceOpen circle: no direct U.S. sailingSchematic. Port positions are approximate and lines show which ports a service links, not the ship’s track. Land: Natural Earth.
Sailings from the U.S. to Africa
Destination portGrimaldi[1]North America – West AfricaRoRoSallaum Lines[7]USA to West AfricaRoRoMSC[8]USA – South Africa (weekly)Container
Loads atFreeport, Brunswick, Jacksonville, Baltimore, Newark, Wilmington (DE), Davisville (RI), Providence (RI)Freeport, Jacksonville, Baltimore, Davisville (RI)Newark, Baltimore, Norfolk, Charleston, Freeport
Dakar
  • 12–17 days from Baltimore
No direct callNo direct call
Tema
  • 22–27 days from Baltimore
No direct callNo direct call
LoméNo direct callCalls; transit not listedNo direct call
CotonouCalls; transit not listedCalls; transit not listedNo direct call
Lagos
  • 14–23 days from Baltimore
  • 13–27 days from Jacksonville
  • 27–32 days from Freeport
  • 21–36 days from Baltimore
  • 23–36 days from Jacksonville
No direct call
DurbanNo direct call
  • 37–42 days from Jacksonville
Calls; transit not listed
GqeberhaNo direct callNo direct callCalls; transit not listed
Cape TownNo direct callNo direct callCalls; transit not listed
MombasaNo direct callNo direct callNo direct call
Dar es SalaamNo direct callNo direct callNo direct call
  • Grimaldi: Lomé is served by transshipment on this service. The ships continue to Brazil, Colombia and Mexico, so the U.S. calls come in a different order on each voyage.
  • Sallaum Lines: Durban is on some voyages only. Cargo cut-off is 4 to 8 days before the ship reaches the U.S. port.
  • MSC: The only direct container link between the U.S. East Coast and South Africa, with eight ships for a weekly call. Flat racks and open tops ride the same ships when the carrier accepts the cargo.

Roll trailer, flat rack and open top limits

Roll trailer, flat rack and open top limits
FigureMAFI roll trailer[9]40' high cube flat rack[10]40' open top container[12]
ISO size-type code–45P342U1
Inside length–38 ft 3 in (11.65 m)39 ft 6 in (12.03 m)
Inside width (flat racks: floor)–7 ft 8 in (2.35 m)7 ft 9 in (2.35 m)
Inside height (flat racks: floor to top of end walls)–7 ft 5 in (2.27 m)7 ft 10 in (2.38 m)
Door opening, width × height––7 ft 8 in / 2.34 m × 7 ft 6 in / 2.28 m
Roof opening, length × width––37 ft 11 in / 11.55 m × 7 ft 4 in / 2.23 m
Deck, length × width39 ft 4 in / 12 m × 8 ft 2 in / 2.5 m––
Floor height above ground2 ft 5 in (0.73 m)2 ft 2 in (0.65 m)–
Clear deck height1 ft 5 in (0.44 m) – 3 ft 7 in (1.1 m)––
Trailer lengths in fleet19 ft 8 in (6 m) – 78 ft 9 in (24 m)––
Maximum gross weight–61 US tons (55,000 kg)71,700 lb (32,500 kg)
Tare weight–13,000 lb (5,900 kg)8,930 lb (4,050 kg)
Maximum payload110 US tons (100,000 kg)54 US tons (49,100 kg)62,700 lb (28,450 kg)
Weight rangeup to 154 US tons (140,000 kg)––
Volume––66.5 m³
Rating per lashing point–11,000 lb (5,000 kg)2,200 lb (1,000 kg)
  • MAFI roll trailer: Figures for a standard 40′ 100-tonne trailer (Transfennica). Wallenius Wilhelmsen runs trailers from 19 ft 8 in to 78 ft 9 in (6 to 24 m) long for cargo up to 154 US tons (140 t). The cargo stays on the trailer for the whole voyage.[2]
  • 40' high cube flat rack: Series range from 97,100 lb to 60 US tons (44,050 to 54,200 kg) payload. The weight must reach the two main beams, directly or through cross timbers; on a 6 ft 7 in (2 m) resting length this rack takes 56,400 lb (25.6 t).[11]
  • 40' open top container: Older 40′ open tops are rated 67,200 lb (30,480 kg) gross (58,700 lb / 26,630 kg payload).[12]
40' high cube flat rack, to scaleEnd view of the 40' high cube flat rack: floor width 7 ft 8 in (2.35 m), end walls 7 ft 5 in (2.27 m) above the floor, floor 2 ft 2 in (0.65 m) above the ground. Cargo past the corner posts or above the end walls is out of gauge.OUT OF GAUGEIN GAUGE38 ft 3 in11.65 mISOMETRIC VIEW℄OUT OF GAUGEIN GAUGE7 ft 8 in2.35 m8 ft2.44 m7 ft 5 in2.27 m2 ft 2 in0.65 m9 ft 7 in2.91 mEND ELEVATIONSCALE036 ft012 mSEAWAY PROJECT CARGODwg SPC-40-FR-HC · ISO 45P340' high cube flat rackVIEWEnd elevationSCALETo scale, see barSOURCEHapag-LloydCHECKEDOctober 18, 2026

Rules this move has to meet

Engines, vehicles and machinery as hazardous materials (49 CFR 173.220)PHMSA

A machine is regulated as a hazardous material when it carries fuel, a wet, sodium or lithium battery, or other hazardous materials. A tank of flammable liquid fuel such as gasoline is drained to 500 mL or less and closed; a self-propelled machine on diesel may keep its fuel if the tank has room for expansion and the cap is closed. Batteries stay installed and secured, wet batteries upright, with the terminals protected against short circuits.[4]

Applies to: Machines with fuel, batteries or other hazardous materials, by road, vessel or air

Export classification under the EAR (ECCN or EAR99)BIS (U.S. Department of Commerce)

An item subject to the EAR is either listed on the Commerce Control List under an Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) or classified EAR99, the basket for items not listed. The ECCN’s reasons for control, read against the Commerce Country Chart, decide whether the destination needs a license. An EAR99 item rarely needs one, but no item, EAR99 included, may go to a person under a denial order or to a prohibited end use or end user without BIS authorization.[13][14][15]

Applies to: Every export of goods subject to the Export Administration Regulations

Electronic Export Information (15 CFR 30)U.S. Census Bureau

Electronic Export Information is filed in AES for each Schedule B number worth more than $2,500 going to one consignee on one conveyance, and for every vehicle whatever its value. For vessel cargo it is due at least 24 hours before loading; the Internal Transaction Number (ITN) goes to the carrier with the booking.[16][6]

Applies to: Any Schedule B line over $2,500, and every vehicle

ISPM 15 wood packagingIPPC, administered in the U.S. by USDA APHIS

Wood packaging and dunnage must be heat-treated to a core temperature of 56 °C for at least 30 minutes, or fumigated, and carry the IPPC mark with the US country code, the facility number and HT or MB. Marked wood can be reused; repaired or remanufactured wood must be treated and marked again.[5]

Applies to: Crates, skids, blocking and dunnage

SOLAS verified gross mass (VGM)IMO

Since 1 July 2016 the shipper must give a signed verified gross mass for each packed container, found by weighing the packed unit or by adding the weighed cargo, lashing and dunnage to the container tare. The carrier needs it before the stowage plan is drawn up; without it the container is not loaded.[17]

Applies to: Every packed container, flat rack and open top

Questions about this plan

How long is the sailing from Texas to Lagos?

On the schedules we checked, 27 to 32 days from Freeport, Texas, with Grimaldi. From Baltimore it is 14 to 23 days with Grimaldi or 21 to 36 days with Sallaum.

Can a module go RoRo if it does not drive?

Yes, on a roll trailer, if it is within the trailer’s rating and length: up to 154 US tons (140 t) and 78 ft 9 in (24 m) in one RoRo fleet.

Is this a job you have completed?

No. It is a plan built from published data to show how we would run the move. Send us the module list and we will turn it into a quote.

Sources

Every figure on this page comes from the documents below, each checked on the date shown. Carriers and authorities revise them, so we confirm the current figure when we book.

  1. [1]Grimaldi Lines, North America – West Africa Service schedule (published 16 Oct 2026), checked October 18, 2026
  2. [2]Wallenius Wilhelmsen, Cargo handling equipment, checked October 18, 2026
  3. [3]SAL Heavy Lift, Fleet list (April 2026), checked October 18, 2026
  4. [4]eCFR, 49 CFR 173.220 Internal combustion engines, vehicles and machinery (hazardous materials), checked October 18, 2026
  5. [5]USDA APHIS, Export ISPM 15-compliant wood packaging material, checked October 18, 2026
  6. [6]U.S. Census Bureau, Foreign Trade Regulations FAQs, checked October 18, 2026
  7. [7]Sallaum Lines, USA to West Africa sailing schedule (updated 17 Oct 2026), checked October 18, 2026
  8. [8]MSC, Standalone direct service between South Africa and the USA (customer advisory), checked October 18, 2026
  9. [9]Transfennica, Roll trailer and cassette dimensions (1/2024), checked October 18, 2026
  10. [10]Hapag-Lloyd, 40′ High Cube Flatrack, checked October 18, 2026
  11. [11]Hapag-Lloyd, Weight distribution in containers for safe transport (guideline), checked October 18, 2026
  12. [12]Hapag-Lloyd, Container Specification (2024 update), checked October 18, 2026
  13. [13]eCFR, 15 CFR 734.3 Items subject to the EAR (EAR99), checked October 18, 2026
  14. [14]eCFR, 15 CFR 738.4 Determining whether a license is required, checked October 18, 2026
  15. [15]eCFR, 15 CFR 732.3 Steps regarding the ten general prohibitions, checked October 18, 2026
  16. [16]eCFR, 15 CFR 30.37 Miscellaneous exemptions (Foreign Trade Regulations), checked October 18, 2026
  17. [17]IMO, SOLAS verified gross mass requirement enters into force (1 July 2016), checked October 18, 2026

Send us the machine and the destination

Give us the model or the measured dimensions and weight. We come back with the method, the sailing and a price, and the figures behind them.

Get a quoteor call +1 (888) 996-7619