Procam Logistics: ODC Transportation via Trailers

“An interconnected ODC transportation system in India through enhanced infrastructure, optimised regulations, digitalization, and streamlined permit processes will not only bolster economic growth but also solidify India's position as a formidable player in the highly competitive global logistics arena."
Gowdhaman Rajakrishnan, General Manager, Procam Logistics

What are the challenges in transporting heavy cargo via trailers and what solutions does Procam provide?

Transporting heavy cargo via trailers in India is complex; it necessitates a comprehensive understanding of various factors such as the nature of the cargo, the chosen route, and the prevailing regulatory environment.

Optimal weight distribution and cargo balance: Ensuring proper weight distribution is of utmost importance as it directly impacts the stability and safety of transit operations. Improper distribution can potentially result in accidents and jeopardise the well-being of both cargo and personnel involved. Furthermore, the selection of an appropriate route poses a considerable challenge, particularly when dealing with oversized loads. Our operations entail managing the cargo's dimensions as we navigate through challenging roadways, strategically avoiding obstacles such as low bridges, and ensuring strict adherence to weight restrictions.

State of India's infrastructure: Last mile roads and bridges may not be adequately maintained, which could potentially result in damage to cargo and trailers. For transporting oversize or overweight loads, obtaining the necessary permits is a time-consuming process. Non-compliance with these regulations carries legal ramifications that cannot be taken lightly.

Safety in transportation: Ensuring proper securing of cargo is of utmost importance to mitigate any accident or damage during transportation. Rain, fog, and high winds can complicate the journey, as they impact visibility and road conditions. Urban traffic congestion can cause delays in transit times and can potentially cause accidents. Ensuring seamless operations and prompt resolution of unforeseen challenges requires communication and coordination among all stakeholders.

Permits, route assessment, and vehicle maintenance: To ensure optimal operational efficiency, it is imperative to implement robust security measures, closely monitor weather conditions, and establish clear and effective communication channels. One must also have a well-defined emergency response plan in place to address any unforeseen circumstance that may arise.


Project-specific risk assessment that considers unique variables: These variables encompass factors such as terrain conditions, distance considerations, and the type of cargo. Based on this assessment, we can lay out a safety plan to mitigate potential hazards.

Route planning: When it comes to selecting the optimal route, it is imperative to take into consideration various factors such as accommodating cargo dimensions, ensuring avoidance of obstacles such as low bridges, and strictly adhering to weight restrictions, particularly for oversized loads. To effectively anticipate and mitigate challenges, there is a need to conduct comprehensive route surveys that provide detailed insights.

Prioritise maintenance for equipment reliability: We ensure that all trailers and towing vehicles undergo thorough inspection and maintenance checks in order to mitigate any potential risks associated with mechanical failures during transit.

We ensure that communication remains constant for immediate updates in order to tackle any unforeseen challenges that may arise. Monitoring of weather conditions enables us to anticipate any potential adverse events, such that we can make well-informed decisions when it comes to travel schedules. We also deploy escort and support vehicles to navigate and overcome the challenges posed by certain routes. We ensure that our drivers take regular rest so that they remain alert. Our focus on load distribution, equipment redundancy, visibility enhancement, and continuous monitoring are part of our safety measures.

What support to trailer manufacturers provide to reduce downtime?

The management of trailer downtime is a key area of focus as downtime incidents can disrupt project timelines and result in additional costs. Our partnership with OEMs helps in guaranteeing seamless operations and quick response to instances of trailer downtime. By leveraging cutting-edge technology and remote diagnostics, our team is able to make real-time assessments to gain invaluable insights on any issue before promptly dispatching the necessary assistance.

For troubleshooting in the event of minor issues, our OEMs provide technical guidance via telephones or digital platforms for on-site personnel, and when faced with complex challenges, our OEMs deploy their team of highly skilled technicians to the designated site to carry out the repairs based on their understanding of the intricate details of the equipment.

We have a well-stocked inventory of essential spare parts based on calculation of reorder quantities to provide the necessary components for repairs whenever needed.

In situations where safety is compromised or extended downtime is anticipated, OEMs maintain a dedicated emergency response team, which, along with our highly specialised team, can be swiftly deployed to tackle any issue.

OEMs also collaborate with local service providers to extend their support network – an arrangement that ensures prompt on-site assistance to prevent downtime incidents. Continuous monitoring, data analytics, and feedback loops ensure optimal trailer reliability.

What are the points of consideration when acquiring heavy haul trailers?

Acquiring heavy haul trailers in the Indian context requires significant investment and careful consideration of numerous factors such as:

• Cargo type and weight. It is also imperative to align trailer configurations with India's diverse cargo requirements to optimize operational efficiency and safety across varied loads.
• Selection of trailer configuration should align with commonly transported cargo in the Indian market.
• Evaluating various trailer types such as flatbeds, lowboys, step decks, and specialized trailers for unconventional cargo shapes is essential.
• Prioritizing efficient cargo accommodation while complying with Indian road regulations.
• Comprehensive understanding and strict adherence to India's diverse road regulations, weight limits, axle spacing, and permit requirements to avoid legal complications.
• Careful consideration of suspension systems tailored to diverse terrains and tire specifications for load distribution, stability, and safety on varied Indian roads.
• Optimal braking systems like air brakes for manoeuvrability and safety on diverse terrains and traffic conditions in India.
• Evaluating ease of maintenance and spare parts availability for various trailer models.
• Exploring trailer configuration options as per India's unique cargo types and operational needs to ensure alignment with local market requirements.
• Reputation of trailer manufacturers, considering quality, customer support, and after-sales services offered.

Through a comprehensive evaluation of India-centric factors and collaborations with esteemed trailer manufacturers, Procam Logistics guarantees the acquisition of custom heavy haul trailers, perfectly suited to meet the specialized transport sector's project and operational requirements within India's dynamic landscape.

What demand do you envisage in the growing Logistics market of India?

The exponential growth of India's refinery and heavy engineering sectors has generated an urgent need for streamlined logistics solutions wherein trailers will be in demand for transporting cargo from suppliers to the end-consumers.

India's infrastructure development across vital sectors like railways, mining, and the chemical industry, will significantly increase demand for trailers. As India's manufacturing and industrial sectors expand, particularly in heavy machinery and equipment, the necessity for specialized trailers to efficiently transport oversized and heavy cargo between manufacturing hubs and project sites becomes imperative.

The transportation of sensitive and perishable goods in the pharmaceutical and cold chain industries heavily relies on temperature-controlled trailers. Acknowledging the robust growth in these sectors, it's clear that the demand for highly specialized trailers will surge.

The logistics sector's focus on sustainability and fuel efficiency will escalate the need for trailers engineered to optimize aerodynamics, minimize emissions, and maximize fuel economy.

The increasing diversity in logistics requirements will lead to demand for trailers customizable to specific cargo types, dimensions, and operational needs. Advanced technologies such as tracking systems and self-loading mechanisms are expected to rise.

The demand for trailers compliant with stringent regulations governing road safety and cargo transportation will increase. Fleet operators must recognize the growing significance of regulatory compliance in their operations.

What support is being provided by the government for seamless ODC transportation?

The future of Over Dimensional Cargo (ODC) transportation in India is a promising one, driven by the initiatives of the government. Gati Shakti, an innovative infrastructure scheme, aims to set up a resilient multi-modal transport network, and enhance the efficiency of ODC transportation through optimisation of road connectivity, expansion of highways, and establishment of dedicated corridors specifically designed to accommodate oversized cargo. Our well-maintained and robust roads, with their ample width and load-bearing capacity, will ensure secure transportation of ODCs.

The National Logistics Policy (NLP)’s primary objective is to optimize logistics operations and drive cost reduction. A conducive policy environment will help facilitate seamless ODC transportation, marked by regulations, an efficient, unified clearance system, backed by supportive policies, and elimination of bureaucratic hurdles.

The Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) is a cutting-edge solution that revolutionises logistics operations by digitising the entire process of acquiring ODC permits and approvals, thereby streamlining and simplifying the entire operation. This remarkable technological advancement has alleviated the administrative burdens faced by ODC transporters.

The online ODC permission system developed by MoRTH represents a significant advancement into the digital era. By implementing a comprehensive digital solution for the permit and approval process, we are able to streamline operations and reduce the burden of paperwork and administrative complexities. Furthermore, it guarantees timely approvals, thereby minimising any potential delays in project execution.

Ensuring the standardisation of regulations across states and regions is of utmost importance when it comes to ODC transportation. The implementation of a single-window clearance mechanism for permits and approvals effectively streamline operations, resulting in significant time savings for ODC transport companies.

Ensuring seamless ODC movements also requires online railway electrified shutdown permission and addressing overhead bridge clearance issues. Government-supported training programmes for drivers, escorts, and personnel involved in ODC transportation will enhance safety, efficiency, and compliance with legal and regulatory standards.

What initiatives are you taking to reduce carbon emissions in your company?

To mitigate carbon emissions in our company, we have undertaken a series of initiatives:

• We are modernising our fleet; this includes investing in vehicles that are equipped with emission reduction technologies, and vehicles equipped with advanced, environmentally friendly engines.
• We have implemented fuel efficiency programmes, introduced driver training, route optimisation, and maintenance schedules.
• Telematics is an integral component for monitoring vehicle performance, optimising routes, tracking driver behaviour, and optimising fuel efficiency by minimising unnecessary idling.
• We emphasis load optimisation to guarantee the most efficient allocation of cargo. This allows us to minimise the number of trips needed, resulting in reduced fuel consumption and emissions per unit of goods transported.
• We promote employee awareness with regards to sustainable transportation practices. The company has strongly recommended that all employees opt for electric vehicles (EVs) for their daily commute and rental needs, despite their slightly higher cost.

Please share a recent case study highlighting the challenging issues during project execution.

Procam Logistics was tasked with transporting an oversized and exceptionally heavy hydro power plant equipment, which had to be relocated from a manufacturing facility to a remote hydel project site located within high-altitude mountain passes. There were significant complexities due to the colossal size and weight of the equipment, and the demanding terrain.

The remote hydel site's altitude of over 2,000 feet, steep mountain passes, narrow roads, short turning radius, and unpredictable weather conditions presented many challenges. Navigating such treacherous terrain while ensuring the safety of the cargo and the team was paramount. Additionally, the dimensions of the hydel project’s equipment exceeded the standard road limits, and posed risk of contact with the mountainous road's edges and obstacles. This demanded meticulous route planning.

Limited road infrastructure and the absence of proper paving and guardrails along the mountain passes added further risks. Rapid weather changes, including fog and rain, further complicated the transportation process.

To surmount these challenges, our company conducted a comprehensive route survey and collaborated with local authorities to secure permits and approvals. Specialized trailers with adjustable axles were employed to evenly distribute the weight of the hydel power plant equipment and prevent load shifts during steep inclines and declines. Drivers underwent specialized training, equipped with real-time weather updates, and escort vehicles accompanied the transport to monitor road conditions. An emergency response plan was devised to address adverse weather conditions, mechanical breakdowns, and any road obstructions.

Despite the formidable challenges, we executed the project efficiently by transporting the hydel power plant equipment to its remote destination within the predefined timeline, and without equipment damage or safety incidents. This case underlines Procam Logistics competence in navigating rugged terrains to achieve successful outcomes in the specialized transport domain.