How do I ship 30 tonnes of pipes from Asia to Latvia?

Pipes of that weight normally move either in 20' containers loaded to their payload limit (roughly 28 tonnes each), on flat racks if the lengths exceed 5.9 or 12 metres, or as breakbulk on a multipurpose vessel when the pieces are longer than 12 metres. Unicore compares all three for the same cargo: containers usually win on cost and schedule reliability, breakbulk wins when the pieces simply will not fit. Delivery into Riga also serves Finland and the wider Baltic by short road or feeder leg.

What is the difference between flat rack, open top and breakbulk?

A flat rack is a container base with collapsible or fixed end walls and no sides or roof, used for cargo wider than a container or needing side loading. An open top is a standard container without a roof, closed with a tarpaulin, for cargo loaded by crane from above but within container width. Breakbulk means the piece travels loose in the ship's hold, not in any container, which suits items over 12 metres or over about 45 tonnes. Unicore quotes whichever fits the dimensions at the lowest total cost.

How much does oversized sea freight to Riga cost?

Unicore's indicative 2026 ranges from Asia to Riga: a 20' container loaded to payload €2,200–3,500; a 20' flat rack €3,000–5,000; a 40' flat rack €4,500–7,500; open top adds roughly 20–35% over a standard box. Breakbulk is quoted per freight tonne (weight or measurement, whichever is greater) and typically runs €120–260 per tonne depending on lane and lift requirements. Crane hire, lashing materials and a marine survey are additional.

Can the Port of Riga handle heavy lift cargo?

Yes. The Port of Riga is ice-free year round and its terminals handle project and heavy lift cargo with mobile harbour cranes, with roll-on/roll-off berths available for wheeled and tracked equipment. Riga also has direct rail and road links onward to Lithuania, Estonia, Finland and Central Asia, which is why many project shipments for the region discharge in Riga rather than a Western European hub.

What documents does project cargo need?

Beyond the usual invoice, packing list, Bill of Lading and EORI, oversized shipments need a dimensioned drawing or photo of each piece with weights and lifting points, a stowage and lashing plan approved by the carrier, and for high-value or unusual lifts a marine warranty survey. Wooden cradles and dunnage must carry ISPM-15 fumigation marking. Unicore prepares the lashing plan with the carrier and books the survey where the cargo value justifies it.

Oversized and Project Cargo by Sea to Latvia

Pipes, machinery, steel structures and heavy equipment — how to choose between a container, flat rack, breakbulk and RoRo.

By Unicore Overseas SIA teamLast updated: 2 September 2026

Short answer: if the cargo fits a container, that is nearly always the cheapest and most predictable option. Flat racks or open tops come in when the piece is wider, taller or longer than a box, and breakbulk when pieces exceed 12 metres or around 45 tonnes. Unicore Overseas compares every option for the same cargo and arranges carriage from Asia, the USA or Europe into the Port of Riga, with clearance and delivery across Latvia, Finland and the Baltics.

Options and Unicore indicative 2026 rates

Option	When to choose it	Indicative price from Asia
20' container to payload	Dense cargo up to ~28 t, length under 5.9 m	€2,200–3,500
40'HC container	Bulky cargo up to ~28.5 t, length under 12 m	€3,000–4,800
20' flat rack	Wider or taller than a box, side loading	€3,000–5,000
40' flat rack	Long pieces up to ~12 m, heavy machinery	€4,500–7,500
Open top container	Crane loading from above, within box width	+20–35% over standard
Breakbulk	Over 12 m or over ~45 t, will not fit a container	€120–260 per freight tonne
RoRo	Wheeled or tracked equipment that drives aboard	Priced per square metre of deck

The limits that decide the choice

Unit	Internal length	Max payload
20' standard	5.90 m	~28 t
40'HC standard	12.03 m	~28.5 t
20' flat rack	5.64 m	~31 t
40' flat rack	12.13 m	~40 t
20' open top	5.89 m	~28 t

A worked example: 30 tonnes of steel pipes in 6-metre lengths fits two 20' containers at up to 15 tonnes each, which is cheaper and faster than breakbulk. The same 30 tonnes in 14-metre lengths fits no container at all, so the choice becomes a pair of 40' flat racks or breakbulk on a multipurpose vessel. The first question is therefore always piece length and piece weight, not total tonnage.

What to prepare before asking for a quote

Dimensions (length × width × height) and weight of each piece separately, not combined
A photo or drawing showing lifting points and centre of gravity
Whether the piece is stackable and whether it can travel on its side
Collection address, and whether a crane or ramp is available there
Destination, and whether handling equipment is available on delivery
Cargo value, for insurance and any marine survey

Why Riga also works for Finnish and Baltic cargo

The Port of Riga is ice-free all year and its terminals handle project cargo with mobile harbour cranes, plus RoRo berths for wheeled equipment. Riga has direct road and rail links to Estonia, Lithuania, Finland and Central Asia, so oversized shipments for the region are often better discharged in Riga than in Western Europe: the inland leg is shorter and the abnormal-load permits simpler.

Cargo that will not fit a box?

Send us the dimensions and a photo — we'll compare container, flat rack and breakbulk options and tell you which costs least.

Related resources

Related service

Oversize Cargo Handling

Heavy-lift, project, and out-of-gauge cargo movement.