Special Cargo

Our specialization when the challenge gets tough. The Project Cargo service of Ignazio Messina & C. handles and stows heavy, bulky, and out-of-gauge loads.

Even with the evolution towards full-container ships, the historic ability to load exceptional pieces and rolling cargo remains intact. This is achieved through unique know-how, highly trained personnel, and specialized equipment.

Rolling Cargo

Cars, trucks, agricultural and construction vehicles. Entire fleets of “brand new” vehicles are managed for major global manufacturers.

Oversized Cargo

(Heavy Lift & Out of Gauge): Industrial plants, transformers, railway wagons, and wind turbine blades. We find space for things that seem to have none.

Yachting Solutions

Dedicated and safe solutions for the transport of pleasure boats of all sizes. We offer comprehensive logistics management, ensuring maximum care at every stage of handling.

Reefer and Perishables

Refrigerated containers and constant temperature monitoring to guarantee the total integrity of the cold chain.

Case Studies

Full Container Vessel Loading

Our new Lo-Lo (Lift-on/Lift-off) fleet allows us to move special and out-of-gauge cargo, ensuring maximum safety and operational efficiency. From unitizing complex components like exchangers and rotors on flatracks, to the “dry” lifting of industrial machinery and electrical cabins weighing over 39 tons, every operation is planned with extreme precision. Using onboard cranes and specialist technical know-how transforms any logistical complexity into a safe cargo unit, ensuring the integrity of exceptional loads on all served routes.

A luxury yacht secured with orange lashing straps on a flat rack container onboard.

A crane hoisting a large Teufelberger-Redaelli reel over a Messina Line ship.

Close-up of a large Radaelli industrial reel unitized and secured on a shipping platform.

A massive industrial chiller being hoisted by a port crane over a Messina vessel.

Heavy machinery wrapped in protective white film being lifted onto a container ship.

A large industrial press machine secured on a flat rack with heavy-duty straps.

A port crane lifting a heavy-duty trailer onto a container ship.

A heavy-duty trailer being hoisted by a crane next to the hull of the Jolly Rosa.

A Casagrande B250 driller cabin secured to a platform inside the cargo hold.

A Casagrande B250 driller cabin secured on a platform inside the ship's hold.

Large industrial trailers and cargo containers arranged inside the ship's hold.

A 4-ton Italmatic valve secured to a flatrack with four annular straps.

Ro-Ro Vessel Loading

Dakar Rally

Alongside the toughest competition in the world. Our ships Jolly Palladio and Jolly Titanio loaded the entire Rally caravan in Barcelona: 845 vehicles, including cars, trucks, and motorcycles (7,500 linear meters of cargo), 34 containers, and 5 helicopters. A logistical challenge won with precision and speed.

A Coronel Dakar Team truck and trailer entering the ramp of a Messina RO-RO vessel.

A classic tan Range Rover rally car parked inside the ship's hold among other Dakar vehicles.

Rows of hundreds of rally support vans and trucks organized in the port terminal.

High-angle view of the deck packed with Dakar Rally trucks and colorful shipping containers.

A row of blue helicopters secured on Linea Messina flatrack containers at the port.

A Valtr Dakar racing truck driving up the massive stern ramp of the Jolly Palladio.

TALGO Medina Mecca Haramain train

A technological bridge between Spain and Saudi Arabia. We transported the 36 Talgo 350 SRO trains destined for the Saudi High-Speed line, including locomotives, bar cars, intermediate cars, end cars, and the VIP car for the Royal Family. An exceptional order that confirms our reliability in managing strategic international projects.

A Talgo locomotive being towed onto the Jolly Quarzo RO-RO vessel via the stern ramp.

Two Talgo passenger cars positioned on trailers at the port terminal near Messina containers.

A Talgo power car being carefully aligned on a heavy-duty multi-axle trailer for loading.

Aerial view of the port area as a tractor unit moves a Talgo locomotive toward the ship.

A Talgo car being reversed up the massive orange ramp of the Jolly Quarzo.

Close-up of a Talgo train car secured on a roll-trailer inside the ship's illuminated hold.

AMMANN PLANT – Alexandria, Egypt

Heavy logistics for major infrastructure. Transporting an entire asphalt production plant to Egypt was a complex operation that required 11 specialized trailers. Almost 123 tons of technology and steel were distributed in over 1,000 m³ of out-of-gauge cargo. A show of strength and precision demonstrating the ability to manage exceptional loads with custom solutions.

Large galvanized steel Ammann plant components secured on a Messina Line roll-trailer.

Technical machinery and a blue industrial tank for the Ammann plant secured with orange straps.

Ammann plant structural parts and large wooden crates ready for loading at the port terminal.

Close-up of shipping labels on Ammann machinery destined for Alexandria Seaport, Egypt.

A massive yellow Potain crane component positioned on an orange Seacom roll-trailer.

Two large cylindrical silver tanks for the Ammann plant secured on flatrack containers.