Airland Logistics Orchestrates Complex Equipment Transport for African Mining Expansion

By Eva Richardson | The Logistic News | March 28, 2025

In a strategic move that underscores its global project cargo expertise, Denmark-based Airland Logistics has successfully managed the end-to-end transport of heavy mining equipment for a large-scale mining development in Central Africa.

The project, spanning multiple international and regional supply chains, involved the handling and coordination of high-value, oversized mining components originating from several locations across Europe and South Africa. The final destination: a remote mining site deep within the African continent, accessible only via challenging inland routes.

Engineering Precision in Motion

Airland’s team oversaw the complete logistics process—starting from export documentation and cargo readiness inspections at origin points to multimodal transit involving ocean freight, barge transfer, and overland haulage. The cargo, consisting of crushers, conveyors, and mining sub-assemblies, required meticulous planning due to its dimensional complexity and sensitivity.

“The remote location of the mine site presented access challenges, particularly with road infrastructure not originally built for abnormal load transport,” explained Lars Rasmussen, Project Director at Airland Logistics. “Our teams on the ground in Africa worked in tandem with global colleagues to overcome infrastructure limitations, conduct route surveys, and ensure civil compliance at each stage.”

Specialized low-bed trailers and hydraulic modular transport systems were used to navigate narrow roads and low-clearance bridges, while local security and escorts ensured smooth passage through politically sensitive regions.

Logistics Where Infrastructure Ends

The mining industry is increasingly dependent on integrated logistics solutions that go far beyond port-to-port movement. Projects like this underline the essential role that experienced freight forwarders play in bridging global supply with isolated industrial demand.

“What sets Airland apart is not just technical capability, but the ability to coordinate local knowledge with international standards,” said Rasmussen. “Whether it’s liaising with customs at African inland borders or scheduling vessel charters in Europe, our mission is to deliver predictability in unpredictable environments.”

With this successful transport project, Airland strengthens its foothold in Africa’s extractive industry supply chain, which continues to grow amid rising demand for critical raw materials like cobalt, copper, and rare earths.

Africa’s Mining Logistics—A Growth Arena

The African mining sector has become a hotbed for logistics providers, especially those with project cargo expertise. As mining companies ramp up exploration and production to meet global green energy demands, the need for highly specialized logistics partners capable of navigating non-standard shipping corridors has intensified.

Recent estimates suggest that African mining operations will attract over $15 billion in infrastructure investment between now and 2030, much of which will require bespoke transport of out-of-gauge machinery and modular mining systems.

For Airland, which has previously handled similar projects in West Africa and the Sahel region, the latest delivery is part of a broader strategy to position itself as a logistics leader in the high-stakes resource development sector.

Looking Ahead

The successful execution of this mission further enhances Airland’s reputation as a global project logistics specialist—one that thrives where others hesitate.

“We are proud of our team’s ability to meet tight delivery timelines in one of the world’s most demanding logistics environments,” said Rasmussen. “This is more than just moving equipment—it’s enabling progress in industries that power the future.”

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