Inland Freight Archives

School BUS Transportation

From Oklahoma to Nicaragua: How We Shipped a Used School Bus.
We were recently approached by a client who had purchased a used school bus at an auction in Oklahoma and needed to transport it all the way to Nicaragua. The request required a full-service logistics solution — from domestic pickup in the U.S. to final delivery in Central America.

The project began with a detailed route assessment and cost breakdown. At the initial stage, we partnered with a trusted carrier who provided a step-deck trailer — ideal for moving oversized vehicles like buses. The bus was safely loaded and transported from Oklahoma to the Port of Houston, a major hub for international shipping to Latin America.

Once at the port, our team took over the export documentation process, including vehicle title verification, customs paperwork, and booking the vessel. For the ocean leg of the journey, we used a RoRo (Roll-on/Roll-off) vessel — the most secure and efficient method for shipping drivable units. This eliminated the need for containerization or dismantling, and minimized handling risks.

The bus was shipped from the Port of Houston directly to the Port of Corinto, Nicaragua, the country’s main commercial seaport. Throughout the transit, we maintained communication with the client, providing real-time updates and documentation tracking.

Upon arrival in Corinto, we coordinated with local customs agents to ensure smooth clearance. We also assisted the client in arranging final delivery from the port to the buyer’s location within Nicaragua. Our goal was to provide not just transportation, but full-cycle support — and that’s exactly what we delivered.

Thanks to careful planning, trusted partners, and transparent communication, the project was completed on time and without complications. The client received their vehicle in excellent condition, ready for its new chapter on the roads of Nicaragua.

Excavator CAT 309 Shipping

We recently managed the international shipment of a Caterpillar 309 CR mini excavator from Nebraska, USA, to Tema Port in Ghana — a full-service project that highlighted our capability in transporting heavy machinery across continents with precision and care.

The CAT 309, weighing approximately 21,000 lbs (9.5 metric tons) and featuring a rubber track system, boom/stick hydraulic lines, and an enclosed cab with A/C, was first moved from the seller’s location via step deck trailer. This type of trailer is ideal for medium-sized heavy equipment like the 309 CR, which stands about 8’4″ tall and 19’6″ long. Our driver secured the load using heavy-duty chains and binders, ensuring compliance with FMCSA transport regulations.

The excavator was delivered to the Port of Baltimore, one of the leading U.S. ports for Ro-Ro shipments. At the port, our team prepared the unit for Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) transport — a method perfectly suited for tracked machinery, as it eliminates crane handling and reduces the risk of scratches or hydraulic damage during loading.

All necessary export documentation was arranged, including:

Bill of Lading
Shipper’s Export Declaration (SED)
Commercial Invoice
Packing List
EPA and DOT compliance forms, as required for used equipment exports

The excavator was shipped on a Grimaldi Lines Ro-Ro vessel, with real-time tracking provided throughout its Atlantic crossing to Tema Port, Ghana. Upon arrival, our local Ghanaian partners ensured smooth customs clearance and delivery to the buyer.

The client was particularly impressed with our attention to technical detail — from hydraulic lockout confirmation to battery disconnect and fluid level checks pre-shipment. This ensured the unit was operational and damage-free upon arrival.

Whether it’s a compact mini-ex or a full-size dozer, we offer door-to-port and door-to-door logistics solutions for heavy equipment worldwide.

Broderson IC-80 Shipping

Not every day you get to ship a pair of compact industrial cranes halfway across the world — but that’s exactly what we did with two used Broderson IC-80s, bound for Senegal.

These little powerhouses might be small in size, but they pack serious utility. Each Broderson IC-80 weighs around 16,000 lbs (7,250 kg), with a width of 6’6”, length just under 15 feet, and a max boom reach of about 30 feet. Designed for tight spaces and precision lifting, they’re a favorite in plants, ports, and job sites around the world — and they’re perfect for export thanks to their compact, self-propelled design.

We handled pickup from two separate U.S. locations, where the machines were loaded and transported to the Port of Houston. Given their low profile and ability to move under their own power, both cranes were prepped for Ro-Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off) shipping — no container needed, no dismantling, no fuss. That’s the beauty of sending equipment like this via Ro-Ro: minimal handling, maximum protection.

Before export, we took care of all necessary documentation, including:

Bill of Lading
Commercial Invoice & Packing List
EPA Non-Road Engine Exemption Form (since these were used machines)
Shipper’s Export Declaration
Power of Attorney for customs processing

The shipment went out on a Grimaldi Lines Ro-Ro vessel, heading from Houston to the Port of Dakar, Senegal’s busiest gateway for industrial equipment. We kept the client informed with real-time updates, from port staging to vessel departure and ETA on the other side.

Once in Dakar, our local partners assisted with offloading and inland delivery to the final job site. Both cranes arrived in excellent condition — ready to get to work.

Two cranes, two origins, one smooth international operation. That’s how we do it.

Inland Freight

Inland trucking & drayage for USA exports — from any seller or site to your port or rail ramp

SEAVOLK plans and executes the inland leg of your export so the ocean, Ro-Ro or air leg starts on time. We collect from sellers, auctions and jobsites anywhere in the US, prepare cargo (transload, crating, lashing) and deliver to terminal with appointments and pre-pulls coordinated. One coordinator owns the timeline, keeps you updated and hands off a clean file to your carrier or forwarder.

What we handle on the inland leg

Drayage to Port/Rail: pre-pull, terminal appointments, chassis, TWIC drivers.
Flatbed / Step-Deck / RGN: oversize & heavy machinery with permits and escorts.
Power-Only & Drop-Trailer: flexible pickup from yards, auctions and remote sites.
Transload & Cross-Dock: forklifts/cranes available; ISPM-15 crating and moisture protection; photo proof at each milestone.
Container Moves: live-load, drop, or out-of-gauge on Flat Rack/Open Top.
Cut-off Management: we plan around ERD/cut-offs to avoid roll-overs and fees.

Typical scenarios we solve

Seller has no loading equipment — we bring ramps, lift or crane as needed.
Auction releases with narrow windows — we pre-stage and dray on time.
Overweight/OOG machines — engineered routes, permits and police escort where required.
Convert yard cargo into export-ready units — transload, secure and document.
Tight cut-offs — pre-pull the box, arrange night/early appointments, coordinate driver standby.

How it works

Plan & confirm. You share pickup point, destination terminal/ramp, cargo specs and deadlines. We map equipment, route and permits.
Pickup & prepare. Load, secure, transload or crate as needed; we document with photos.
Book & align. Appointments, pre-pulls, chassis and gate-in aligned with your booking.
Dray & handoff. Delivery to port/ramp, seals and receipts captured, exceptions cleared.
Report. Final photos, BOLs and confirmations sent to you and your carrier/forwarder.