Shipping is not the last step on a large sphere, it is a design constraint that has to be settled at quotation. Get it wrong and a finished sculpture sits in the factory.
The largest sphere that ships by conventional freight in a 20ft or 40ft container is ∅2200mm (∅71/3 feet). A 20ft or 40ft flat rack takes up to ∅3500mm (∅11½ ft) with packaging. Larger sizes can be produced, but they need special shipping or segmentation.
Step By Step
Confirm the finished diameter
The single number that drives everything else.
Choose the freight mode
Container under ∅2200mm, flat rack under ∅3500mm, segmented above that.
Design the segmentation
The sphere is cut into quarters or eighths. Two ribs of AISI 304 flat bar, 5mm thick and 75mm wide, are welded to each edge and drilled for bolting.
Fit check and finish
Segments are trial fitted, then ground and polished.
Load to plan
Your loading instruction for the container is followed piece by piece.
What This Covers
- Container and flat rack limits stated before you commit to a diameter
- Quarter and eighth segmentation with bolted internal ribs
- Express, air and sea freight options by order size
- EXW, FOB, C&F and DDU delivery terms
- Importer Security Filing 10+2 guidance for United States clients
Product Categories Involved
Large Steel Balls
Mirror polished hollow spheres from ∅200mm to ∅3500mm for public art landscape and architecture.
12 products
Stainless Steel Globes
World globe sculptures with hand bent map projections tube frames and optional rotation tilt and lighting.
6 products
Specialty Steel Spheres
One-off sphere types that sit outside the main ranges: chrome balls for VFX perforated spheres egg shapes and spheres with bases or hooks.
12 productsCases Using This Solution
3.6 Meter Large Steel Balls For Santa Fe Opera Theater
The sphere reached site in a standard 40ft container and was assembled from quarter sections.
Santa Fe, United States
Large Stainless Steel Gazing Globes Installed In Singapore
The installation's audio recordings feature familiar everyday sounds, from suburban traffic and MRT trains to chatter in wet markets and coffee shops.
Singapore
Hollow Steel Balls Wall In Norway
The facade marks the place as a bit weird, wild and beautiful, reflecting Porsgrunn's identity as a future oriented cultural city.
Porsgrunn, NorwayExplore Further
Related guides
Industry applications
Oversize Sphere Logistics FAQ
What is the largest sphere that fits a normal container?
And on a flat rack?
What happens above ∅3500mm?
Why do you not offer DDP?
Start With a Conversation
The cheapest change to a sphere project is the one made before production starts.