The 10 Must-Ask Questions (with Landstar Answers)

Data center construction projects involve moving high-value, oversized, and sensitive components like generators, cooling systems, and server racks. Choosing the right transportation and logistics provider is critical to avoid delays, damage, and compliance issues. Asking the right questions upfront ensures your transportation provider can deliver safely, on time, and within budget.

1. Do you have experience handling oversized and high-value equipment for data centers? 

Experience matters because transporting oversized and high-value data center equipment requires specialized knowledge to prevent damage, delays, and costly mistakes.  

Landstar has decades of experience moving critical data center components like generators, cooling systems, and servers. Our agents and vetted capacity understand how to ensure compliance with regulations. Learn more about Landstar’s recent 57,000lb data equipment move.   

Why it matters: Experienced transportation providers can help minimize risk and downtime by anticipating challenges and using tracking technologies like electronic logging devices (ELD)-based telematics. Ultimately, their experience protects both the equipment and the business operations it supports.  

2. What specialized equipment do you offer for heavy and over-dimensional freight? 

With over 30 years of experience, Landstar is a trusted leader in complex freight transportation. Our skilled capacity is equipped to handle everything from legal platform to high-value, oversized, and sensitive loads that require special handling with care and efficiency.

With access to over 2,700 specialized trailers, Landstar’s is recognized as the largest in North America and in the top five globally and includes perimeter trailers, uniquely designed for loads with massive weight, as well as single-drops (step-deck), double drops (low-boys), extendables, steerables, removable gooseneck (RGN) trailers and more.

Why it matters: When handling heavy and over-dimensional freight, transportation providers deploy a full suite of trailing equipment—flatbeds, step-decks, double-drop, roll-gates, and multi-axle or removable-gooseneck (RGN) trailer configurations—to safely accommodate legal platform as well as atypical sizes, weights, and clearances. They also use multi-axle perimeter trailers to lower loads for optimal legal height clearances.  

3. How do you ensure the safe and secure handling and transport of sensitive, high-risk equipment, and what specific security measures do you implement to protect these shipments? 

To ensure safe handling and secure transport of sensitive equipment, Landstar implements, rigorous owner-operator qualifications, including access to those with government issued security clearances, and CTPAT certification for secure cross-border shipments.

Steps to maintain security, include risk-based planning, reliable proof of delivery, ongoing training, and supplemental cargo insurance for high-value freight. Advanced technology such as trailer locks, electronic logging devices (ELD), asset tracking, and CargoNet integration further protect shipments and enhance recovery rates for high-risk cargo.

Why it matters: Ensuring safe handling and secure transport of sensitive equipment is essential to prevent damage, theft, and compliance violations. This safeguards business operations and the motoring public while building trust in your logistics provider. 

4. How do you scale capacity for large, multi-site projects?

Landstar offers unmatched scalable capacity for large, multi-phase data center projects. With access to over 8,600 exclusive owner-operators and 70,000+ vetted carriers, plus a fleet of 17,000+ trailers—including one of North America’s largest selections of specialized equipment—Landstar can rapidly scale to meet evolving project needs. Our independent agents coordinate transport and on-site logistics, ensuring seamless execution across multiple locations.

Why it matters: Scalable capacity is critical for managing multi-phase data center builds, expansions, or rapid deployments. It ensures that every shipment—whether oversized generators, cooling modules, or server racks—arrives on time and intact, minimizing downtime and supporting schedules.

5. How do you mitigate risk for high-value shipments?

Landstar mitigates risk for high-value shipments through rigorous owner-operator qualifications (including criminal background checks, hazmat endorsements, TWIC/TSA clearances), CTPAT-validated operations, and a dedicated fraud prevention team.

Every shipment undergoes risk-based planning, with supplemental cargo insurance available. Advanced security measures—such as trailer locks, electronic logging devices (ELDs), asset tracking, and CargoNet integration—protect cargo in transit and increase recovery rates. Ongoing training and audits ensure security standards are continuously met.

Why it matters: Protecting high-value, sensitive data center components from theft, damage, and compliance violations is essential. Landstar’s safety culture and security protocols safeguard business operations and build trust, ensuring critical infrastructure arrives safely and securely.

6. Do you offer shipment visibility and tracking?

Landstar provides shipment visibility and tracking through proprietary technology platforms like Landstar Clarity™. These tools support chain-of-custody, exception management, and audit trails—critical for regulated environments and high-value IT assets. 

Why it matters: Tracking and visibility empower customers to monitor shipments, respond to exceptions, and maintain compliance. This transparency is vital for managing complex, multi-phase projects and ensuring sensitive equipment is always accounted for. 

7. Can you support global deployments or cross-border moves?

Landstar’s network spans the United States, Mexico, and Canada, with designated trailers and facilities supporting cross-border operations. Our CTPAT-validated operations ensure secure, compliant, and seamless international moves for data center components. Landstar’s proven skill in heavy haul and hazmat, combined with robust security and compliance, enables confident execution of complex, international projects.

Why it matters: Global reach and cross-border experience may help manufacturers deploying data centers internationally or sourcing components from multiple countries.

8. Can you manage multi-phase, hyperscale data center projects?

Landstar has extensive experience supporting data center builds for leading hyperscalers and top equipment suppliers across North America. Our solutions are engineered to support deployment schedules, complex site logistics, sensitive equipment handling, and multi-phase construction timelines. Landstar’s agents provide turnkey project management, sequenced delivery, and continuous servicing throughout the full lifecycle of the data center construction.

Why it matters: Managing multi-phase, data center projects requires a transportation provider who can coordinate logistics across multiple vendors, sites, and timelines.

9. What is your process for handling unexpected disruptions during transit?

Landstar handles unexpected disruptions during transit through proactive risk-based planning, shipment tracking, and culture of safety. Dedicated agents act as single points of contact to quickly coordinate rerouting or expediting shipments, supported by a vast network of qualified owner-operators. Ongoing training and a network of over 1,100 local Safety Officers ensure teams are always prepared to respond swiftly and effectively to any incident.

Why it matters: Even with the best planning, unforeseen events—such as severe weather, road closures, or equipment failures—can disrupt shipments. Understanding your transportation provider’s contingency planning, communication protocols, and ability to reroute or expedite shipments is essential for minimizing downtime and protecting freight.

10. How do you ensure regulatory compliance for hazardous materials? 

Landstar ensures regulatory compliance for hazardous materials and international shipments through rigorous owner-operator qualifications—including hazmat endorsements. All cross-border operations are managed through CTPAT-validated operations, meeting the high standards set by U.S. Customs & Border Protection.

Landstar’s network includes over 8,600 hazmat-endorsed owner-operators and designated trailers for Mexico, supporting seamless and compliant international moves. Facility access is strictly regulated, and ongoing audits and training keep teams current with regulatory changes. Landstar’s proven experience in heavy haul and hazmat, combined with robust security and compliance protocols, empowers shippers to move hazardous freight with confidence.

Why it matters: Data center components may include batteries, cooling fluids, or other items classified as hazardous materials, and international moves require strict compliance with customs and import/export regulations. Working with an experienced transportation provider can help minimize the likelihood of delays or penalties tied to compliance issues.