Project Cargo Professionals

Sameer Parikh’s Final Interview: 35 Years Moving India’s Mega Projects

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000

After 35 years in the project cargo and heavy lift industry, Sameer Parikh joins Project Cargo Professionals host Luke King for his final interview before retirement.

Recorded live at Breakbulk Middle East, this conversation reflects on a remarkable career that helped shape some of the most complex logistics projects across India, the Middle East, and beyond.

From container operations in the early 1990s to executing massive heavy-lift moves and building one of the most respected specialist companies in the sector, Sameer shares the lessons, challenges, and defining moments from a lifetime in project logistics.

Among the highlights discussed:

• The early days operating one of Asia’s largest container yards

• Moving refinery equipment weighing over 1,500 tons

• Delivering mega heavy-lift movements across the Middle East

• Managing 30,000 tons of offshore module load-outs in just 65 days

• The acquisition of Lift & Shift by JM Baxi Heavy

• Leadership lessons from building and trusting high-performing teams

He also shares candid advice on acquisitions, leadership, and the future of project cargo — including his view that the sector still produces excellent operators, but too few true leaders — and answers some questions from his peers in India.

This episode marks the closing chapter of an extraordinary career and a rare opportunity to hear the reflections of an industry veteran.

🎥 Recorded in Dubai, UAE at Breakbulk Middle East 2026

For sponsorships, partnerships or podcast enquiries: luke@prospectcomms.co.uk

About Our Sponsor: MYCRANE

MYCRANE is the first global platform for crane rental and purchase, connecting customers with trusted asset owners worldwide. From sourcing crawler, mobile and tower cranes through its online rental platform to purchasing lifting equipment via MYCRANE Trading, the company delivers a seamless, end-to-end crane solution. Combining deep industry expertise with transparent digital processes, MYCRANE gives clients speed, visibility and control across the entire lifting lifecycle.

👉 Visit https://www.my-crane.com/

Building Saudi Arabia’s Global Project Cargo Hub on the Red Sea | Lars Greiner, RSGT

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Lars Greiner, CEO of the multipurpose business at Red Sea Gateway Terminal, joins Project Cargo Professionals to discuss Saudi Arabia’s rapid rise as one of the most important centres for global project cargo.

With Vision 2030 mega-projects, mining, manufacturing, infrastructure and energy developments accelerating simultaneously, the Kingdom is driving unprecedented demand for breakbulk, heavy lift and complex logistics — making it a market no logistics professional can afford to ignore.

Recorded in Dubai the day after Breakbulk Middle East 2026, Lars shares a strategic, on-the-ground perspective on how Red Sea Gateway Terminal is positioning its west coast ports as future staging hubs between Europe, Africa and Asia, and why multipurpose terminals are becoming critical infrastructure in an era of larger, more complex cargoes.

In the final episode of Voices of Breakbulk Middle East, Lars sits down with host Luke King to discuss:

• Why Saudi Arabia is emerging as a top tier growth market for project cargo and infrastructure logistics

• The modernization of Red Sea ports and their role as logistical springboards for global projects

• “Winning the home game first” — building a world-class multipurpose platform before international expansion

• How Vision 2030, mining, manufacturing and tourism projects are reshaping cargo flows • The operational reality behind capacity, digitalization and developing local talent in a fast-moving market

• The mega-projects reality check: recalibrating timelines, not ambition

• Why cooperation between ports and regions will define the next phase of heavy lift and breakbulk logistics

Wide-ranging, strategic and highly relevant, this episode closes the Voices of Breakbulk Middle East series with a deep dive into a country that is setting the pace for global project cargo — and the terminal strategy underpinning that growth.

🎥 Recorded in Dubai, UAE

👉 Connect with Lars on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larsgreiner/

For all business enquires relating to the podcast, email Luke@prospectcomms.co.uk and visit https://www.projectcargopros.com/

About Our Partner: Breakbulk

Breakbulk organises the world's largest events for project cargo and breakbulk logistics, bringing together cargo owners, EPCs, carriers, forwarders and ports from across the global supply chain. With flagship events held annually in Dubai, Rotterdam, Houston and Singapore, Breakbulk serves as a key meeting point for networking, deal-making and industry insight.

👉 Visit https://breakbulk.com to find out more about upcoming events and registration.

About Our Sponsor: SAL

SAL is a leading global heavy-lift and project cargo carrier, operating a modern fleet of specialised vessels for complex, high-value transports worldwide. Part of the Harren Group, SAL is recognised for its technical expertise, safety standards and environmental performance, including its new Orca Class vessels.

👉 Visit https://sal.global

About Our Sponsor: Hareket

Hareket is a global provider of engineered heavy lifting, project transport and crane solutions, supporting major energy, infrastructure and industrial projects across Eurasia, the Middle East and Africa. With decades of experience and a strong international footprint, Hareket is known for delivering complex lifts reliably and safely.

👉 Visit https://www.hareket.com/en/home-page

Keywords: project cargo, breakbulk, heavy lift, logistics, EPC logistics, port operations, transport engineering.

Mohammad Jaber: A New Chapter With Combi Lift & Mapping the Future of Project Logistics

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Mohammad Jaber left a career at the world’s biggest logistics firm to push himself into uncharted territory as CEO of Combi Lift Projects in the Middle East. In this episode of Voices of Breakbulk Middle East, host Luke King sits down with Mohammad to explore how project logistics in the region is evolving — and why the old “do everything yourself” model no longer works.

Mohammad reflects on his journey from commodities and container logistics into complex project cargo, his move from global forwarding giants to a more agile project-focused business, and why collaboration — not dominance — will define the next phase of the industry.

We discuss:

Why Combi Lift positions itself as collaborative, not controlling, in a fragmented project cargo market
How Saudi Arabia, the UAE and wider Middle East are driving the next wave of heavy-lift and infrastructure demand
The role of engineering creativity in keeping projects profitable as costs rise
Where technology, AI and data will genuinely move the needle — and where hype still exceeds reality
Why peace, stability and long-term thinking matter more than any single megaproject

From nuclear power and energy transition projects to future-ready logistics talent, this is a wide-ranging, thoughtful conversation with one of the region’s most experienced project logistics leaders — and a reminder that the strongest operators aren’t those who try to do everything, but those who know exactly where they add value.

🎥 Recorded in Dubai, UAE

For all business enquires relating to the podcast, email Luke@prospectcomms.co.uk and visit https://www.projectcargopros.com/

About Voices of Breakbulk Middle East

This episode is part of our special Voices of Breakbulk Middle East series, celebrating a decade of the region’s leading event for project cargo. Register now for the 10th anniversary of Breakbulk Middle East, taking place Feb 4-5 in Dubai: https://middleeast.breakbulk.com/page...

About Our Sponsor: Hareket is a leading provider of engineered heavy lifting, project transport, and crane solutions, serving customers across Eurasia, the Middle East, and Africa. With over 15 offices worldwide and nearly seven decades of experience, Hareket supports sectors including energy, petrochemicals, oil and gas, nuclear, renewable energy, and civil infrastructure. Listed on the Turkish Stock Exchange in 2024, the company ranks first in Turkey and among the top heavy-lift and crane providers globally. Hareket is recognised for its technical expertise, operational reliability and ability to deliver tailored solutions for large-scale, complex projects.

👉 Visit https://www.hareket.com/en/home-page

Hareket’s Mustafa Şener: Building Heavy Projects With Personal Discipline

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 09:00:00 +0000

Mustafa Şener, executive board member at Hareket, joins Project Cargo Professionals for a wide-ranging conversation recorded in Dubai as part of our Voices of Breakbulk Middle East series.

With more than two decades in global project logistics and heavy engineering, Mustafa offers a grounded, strategic view on where the sector is heading — from Türkiye’s evolving role as a manufacturing and engineering hub, to the rapid rise of the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia as the next major growth corridors for complex projects.

Drawing on his experience across Europe, North America and the Middle East, Mustafa explains how asset-based specialists like Hareket are positioning themselves for a new generation of mega-projects, why engineering depth and execution discipline matter more than ever, and how the launch of HPL One reflects a broader shift in how project logistics services are structured and delivered.

But beyond cranes, corridors and capacity, Mustafa also shares a more personal perspective — one shaped by his long-standing commitment to health, performance and longevity. As an active figure within the HYROX global fitness movement, he speaks candidly about the physical and mental demands of leadership, the realities of life in high-pressure corporate environments, and why personal resilience and team wellbeing are becoming strategic advantages in project logistics.

We explore:

Why Türkiye’s rising costs may actually signal strength, not weakness
How the Middle East is evolving into a self-sustaining project powerhouse
What differentiates asset-based engineering specialists in today’s market
The logic behind separating heavy engineering from global forwarding operations
Why leadership, energy and physical health are inseparable in high-performance teams

A thoughtful conversation that connects heavy projects with human performance, and a reminder that long-term success in this industry is built as much on people and discipline as it is on cargo and capacity.

🎥 Recorded in Dubai, UAE

👉 Connect with Mustafa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mfsener/

For all business enquires relating to the podcast, email Luke@prospectcomms.co.uk and visit https://www.projectcargopros.com/

About Voices of Breakbulk Middle East

About Our Sponsor: SAL

SAL is one of the world’s leading heavy-lift and project cargo carriers, operating a modern fleet of specialised vessels with service speeds up to 20 knots, dynamic positioning systems, Fly-Jib capability and combined crane capacities of up to 2,000 tonnes. Together with SAL Intermarine, the company runs a global fleet supporting more than 1,200 employees across 27 offices worldwide. A member of the Harren Group, SAL is recognised for its high technical standards, safety and environmental performance, including its new Orca Class vessels. Alongside Jumbo Shipping, SAL also co-operates the JSI Alliance, providing comprehensive multipurpose, heavy-lift and offshore transport solutions.

👉 Visit https://sal.global

About Hareket:

Hareket is a leading provider of engineered heavy lifting, project transport, and crane solutions, serving customers across Eurasia, the Middle East, and Africa. With over 15 offices worldwide and nearly seven decades of experience, Hareket supports sectors including energy, petrochemicals, oil and gas, nuclear, renewable energy, and civil infrastructure. Listed on the Turkish Stock Exchange in 2024, the company ranks first in Turkey and among the top heavy-lift and crane providers globally. Hareket is recognised for its technical expertise, operational reliability and ability to deliver tailored solutions for large-scale, complex projects.

👉 Visit https://www.hareket.com/en/home-page

Keywords: project cargo, breakbulk, heavy lift, logistics, EPC logistics, port operations, transport engineering.

Why The Middle East Matters More Than Ever: Denis Bandura On 25 Years At BBC Chartering

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode, Project Cargo Professionals meets Denis Bandura, managing director at BBC Chartering Middle East, one of the longest-serving figures in the organisation, having joined BBC at the turn of the millennium.

From his early seafaring career to more than 25 years with BBC Chartering, Ukrainian-born Denis reflects on what it takes to build longevity in a sector defined by cycles, geopolitics and constant change. Speaking in Dubai for our Voices of Breakbulk Middle East series, he shares a candid view on how the region has evolved from a transshipment hub into a self-sustaining industrial force — particularly across oil & gas, wind and heavy industry.

We explore:

Why a shortage of capable heavy-lift tonnage may actually be healthy for the project market
How globalization has shifted — and why regions like the Middle East and India are increasingly standing on their own
What differentiates BBC Chartering’s fleet and operating model, from LakerMax vessels to ice-class newbuilds
Why sustainability, decarbonisation and efficiency are no longer just “big-client” concerns
How operators succeed — or fail — in the Middle East’s relationship-driven project cargo market

Denis also lifts the lid on a lighter tradition that’s made him something of a fixture at Breakbulk Middle East: the now-well-known BBC cigar box, opened late into the night as deals, stories and friendships are cemented — a small ritual that perfectly captures the community spirit of the sector.

A thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation with one of the region’s most consistent and respected voices.

🎥 Recorded in Dubai, UAE 👉 Connect with Denis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denis-bandura-762229276/

For all business enquires relating to the podcast, email Luke@prospectcomms.co.uk and visit https://www.projectcargopros.com/

About Voices of Breakbulk Middle East

About Our Sponsor: Hareket

👉 Visit https://www.hareket.com/en/home-page

Keywords: project cargo, breakbulk, heavy lift, logistics, EPC logistics, port operations, transport engineering.

2025 in Review, 2026 Ahead | The Project Cargo Professionals Christmas Special

Sat, 20 Dec 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In the PCP Christmas Special, a group of senior project cargo professionals sit down with host Luke King to reflect on a turbulent 2025 — and look ahead to what 2026 may bring for the heavy lift and project cargo sector.

Over good food and candid discussion, the group touches on:

Market volatility, geopolitics and regulatory pressure
Fleet development, capacity and the role of specialist tonnage
Tariffs, compliance and rising customer expectations
The growing importance of partnerships over price-only decisions
Why attracting young talent matters more than ever
Why companies should to “open their hearts and minds” to all
What the industry should leave behind in 2025 — and what gives cause for optimism next year

It’s thoughtful, honest and occasionally heart-warming — the kind of conversation that usually only happens after the cameras stop rolling.

Featuring:

• Hendrik “Henk” Alma, logistics manager, NEM Energy

• Aditya “Adi” Menon, commercial director, Blue Bell Shipping

• Peter Molloy LLM, FICS, managing director, Sea3R

• John Pittalis, marketing director, AAL Shipping

📍 Recorded in Rotterdam, The Netherlands

👉 Connect with the cast of the PCP Christmas Special on LinkedIn:

Luke King: https://www.linkedin.com/in/luke-king-5a83477/

Hendrik “Henk” Alma: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hendrik-alma-51969137/

Aditya “Adi” Menon: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aditya-menon-5359a2a8/

Peter Molloy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-molloy-llm-fics-6aaa5658/

John Pittalis: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yiannis-pittalis-865b775/

For all business enquires relating to the podcast, email Luke@prospectcomms.co.uk and visit https://www.projectcargopros.com/

About Our Sponsor: Blue Bell Shipping

Blue Bell Shipping LLC is a global logistics provider with over 30 years’ experience delivering end-to-end freight solutions worldwide. The company specialises in project cargo, air charters, rig moves, dangerous goods and reefer shipments, supported by a strong international network. With dedicated teams, including oil and gas specialists, Blue Bell Shipping delivers reliable, door-to-door logistics across the Middle East, Central Asia, Australia and beyond.

👉 Visit https://bluebellshipping.com/

Trans Global Projects CEO Colin Charnock: On Breakbulk, Brewing Beer & His 40-Year Journey

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Few people in project logistics will have seen — and shaped — as much of the industry as Colin Charnock, Group CEO of Trans Global Projects. In this episode, Colin shares four decades of experience across Abu Dhabi, Houston, Singapore and beyond, and explains how TGP grew from a two-man spin-off to a globally respected medium-sized project forwarder.

From navigating the collapse of his former employer to building a long-standing relationship with McDermott, opening in Malaysia with local legend Ling Ling, delivering a hydrogen project in the Netherlands, transporting materials to Antarctica, and running one of the earliest mega-projects in Kazakhstan — this is a masterclass in project logistics execution and leadership.

In this episode of Project Cargo Professionals:

· Colin’s early career across the Middle East, U.S. and Asia

· How Trans Global Projects was founded in 1988 — and why timing was everything

· Building a culture with “no red tape” and “no internal politics”

· Why TGP is thriving as a mid-sized player in a market of giants

· Why Malaysia, Australia, Brazil, and the U.S. are key growth regions right now

· Hydrogen, power generation, rolling stock and the “next big sectors”

· The Kazakhstan mega-project that changed everything

· The Antarctica jetty project: “the logistical equivalent of a lunar landing”

· Life in Switzerland, beer entrepreneurship, and how not to run a business

· Colin’s nomination for a future PCP guest…

If you work in heavy lift, EPC, project forwarding or energy markets, this is an unmissable conversation with one of the sector’s pioneers.

🎥 Recorded in Rotterdam, The Netherlands

👉 Connect with Colin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-charnock-3485a642/

For all business enquires relating to the podcast, email Luke@prospectcomms.co.uk and visit https://www.projectcargopros.com/

About SAL

👉 Visit https://sal.global

Keywords: project cargo, breakbulk, heavy lift, logistics, EPC logistics, port operations, transport engineering.

Breaking Barriers: Blue Water Shipping’s Humeira Al Hashmi on Leadership, Logistics & the “Exciting” Middle East Market

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In this powerful episode of Project Cargo Professionals, we sit down with Humeira Aidarous Al Hashmi — the dynamic Regional General Manager of Blue Water Shipping — for a deep dive into the Middle East market.

From starting her career as a young operations assistant to leading a major project logistics organisation, Humeira shares the reality of carving out success in a traditionally male-dominated sector, the mentors who shaped her journey, and the resilience required to thrive in project cargo.

In this episode of Voices of Breakbulk Middle East, we explore:

• Her 20+ year rise across Transoceanic, Agility, Kanoo Shipping, CEVA and now Blue Water Shipping

• What it really takes to lead teams, build culture and develop young talent

• The evolving EPC landscape in the Middle East — including the rise of Korean, Indian, Chinese and regional players

• Market forces reshaping project logistics: Red Sea disruptions, carrier consolidation and geopolitical pressure

• The future of wind, renewables and Blue Water’s specialised port services

• How the UAE and Saudi Arabia differ in opportunity — and why she calls KSA her “second home”

• Her philosophy on leadership, mindset, work-life balance and building a legacy through people

• Why Breakbulk Middle East matters more than ever as the region becomes the global hub for project cargo

Humeira’s authenticity, humour and hard-earned industry wisdom make this a must-watch for anyone in heavy lift, EPC contracting, shipping, logistics or supply chain.

🎥 Recorded in Dubai, UAE

👉 Connect with Humeira on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/humeira-aidarous-al-hashmi-064b0a19/

For all business enquires relating to the podcast, email Luke@prospectcomms.co.uk and visit https://www.projectcargopros.com/

About Voices of Breakbulk Middle East

About Hareket

👉 Visit https://www.hareket.com/en/home-page

About SAL

👉 Visit https://sal.global

Inside the Rapid Rise of Blue Bell Shipping — With Aditya Menon | Project Cargo Professionals

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Blue Bell Shipping has quietly become one of the growth stories in the project logistics world — and, in the first episode of Voices of Breakbulk Middle East, we hear how it happened.

Aditya Menon joins us in London to unpack how a family-run firm founded by his father in 1987, has transformed into a 15-office boutique project forwarder, spanning the Middle East, Central Asia and beyond. From major EPC wins in Iraq to 54 aircraft charters into Kazakhstan, Blue Bell’s rise has been fast — and far from straightforward.

Adi tells host Luke King how the company learned to compete head-to-head with global logistics giants, why niche and frontier markets such as Iraq, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan were the right strategic bet, and how the company handled the pressures of rapid expansion, cash-flow strain and constant hiring.

We also discuss:

• How a small, family-owned forwarder can still beat the biggest players through service, trust, and agility.

• How one Iraq gas-plant project and a 54-flight charter series helped propel their growth.

• The stress and reality of opening offices across multiple countries — and how often it goes wrong.

• Why challenging markets create level playing fields that favour hungry forwarders.

• Blue Bell’s first real opportunity for acquisition — and where Adi thinks the right target might be.

• The delicate dynamics of joining a family business.

• How the company navigated the dramatic MV Minerva drone attack and what it revealed about carrier partnerships.

This is a story about ambition, risk, generational leadership — and how a company born in the ultra-competitive Dubai market is now aiming to become a major global player.

Another must-listen edition of Project Cargo Professionals.

🎥 Recorded at Hyve HQ in London, UK

👉 Connect with Adi Menon on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aditya-menon-5359a2a8/

For all business enquires relating to the podcast, email Luke@prospectcomms.co.uk and visit https://www.projectcargopros.com/

About Voices of Breakbulk Middle East

About SAL

👉 Visit https://sal.global

About Hareket

👉 Visit https://www.hareket.com/en/home-page

SAL Intermarine at 35: Richard Seeg On Building a Breakbulk Brand, Shaping a Sector

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Richard Seeg on 35 Years of SAL Intermarine: Navigating Markets, Building a Breakbulk Brand, Shaping a Sector

In this special episode of Project Cargo Professionals, host Luke King sits down in Houston with Richard Seeg, President of SAL Intermarine, to reflect on the carrier’s remarkable 35-year journey — a story that mirrors the evolution of the breakbulk and multipurpose sector.

Richard explains how the company’s origins in 1990 were built on a simple philosophy — finding the right ship for the customer’s cargo — and how that customer-driven mindset carried the line through major shifts in global trade: from post-Soviet Russia, to the boom years of trans-Pacific power equipment, to Venezuela’s peak petrochemical build-out, to today’s fast-growing markets in Guyana and Suriname.

He shares stories from Intermarine’s early liner services, the highs and lows of market cycles, the political shocks that reshaped trade flows, and the brand’s enduring role as a specialist carrier across the Americas. We also explore the JSI Alliance — how it works in practice, what customers gain, and why combining fleets brings new flexibility and capability to the region.

Richard offers rare insight into fleet strategy, including the return of the iconic D-class “Mini Monsters”, and the operational realities of today’s Americas trades — from restrictive ports and mining corridors to the growing pull of power-grid equipment, data-centre infrastructure, and copper-driven mining demand.

He also opens up about his own life and leadership journey: formative years in the U.S. Navy, postings in Vietnam, Guam and Asia, the lessons he carried into commercial shipping, and the proudest moments and regrets that shaped his approach to people and management.

This is a candid, reflective, conversation with a respected names in project shipping — and a rare deep dive into how a breakbulk line survives and thrives across three and a half decades of global change.

🎥 Recorded in Houston, Texas

👉 Connect with Richard Seeg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardseeg/

For all business enquires relating to the podcast, email Luke@prospectcomms.co.uk

Meet the Shippers of Breakbulk Americas 2025 | Project Cargo Professionals

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 09:00:00 +0000

Recorded live at Breakbulk Americas 2025 in Houston, this special edition of Project Cargo Professionals, hosted by Luke King, brings together five leading voices from the shipper side of the global project logistics industry.

In this episode, Luke speaks with manufacturers and energy companies that are driving the next wave of large-scale industrial projects across the Americas and beyond — from transformers to turbines, renewables to energy storage.

🗣️ Featured Interviews:

🔹 Hendrik Alma – NEM Energy

The Dutch engineering firm designs and ships massive HRSG modules weighing up to 220 tons worldwide. Henk shares why NEM is renewing its U.S. partnerships as customers demand more DAP deliveries — and why rail capacity and tariff challenges are hot topics.

🔹 Guillermina del Pino – Siemens Energy

Siemens Energy is experiencing an unprecedented boom — selling projects out to 2030 and expanding its logistics team rapidly. Guillermina explains how AI-driven power demand and a nuclear “renaissance” are transforming supply chains and infrastructure across the Americas.

🔹 Andrew McNamara – Energy Vault

With units now exceeding 55 tons, Energy Vault’s innovative battery and hydrogen storage solutions are a new source of business for the project logistics sector. Andrew discusses heavier cargoes, California’s Calistoga Resiliency Center, and why long-term ownership models are changing the game.

🔹 Josie Almeida – TSEA Energia (Brazil)

Formerly Toshiba, TSEA Energia is doubling transformer production to meet soaring U.S. demand. Josie reveals how 90% of the company’s output now goes to the U.S., the expansion of its Minas Gerais factory in Brazil, and how tariffs haven’t slowed this surge.

🔹 Agustin Harriague – Mitsubishi Power Americas

Agustin reflects on booming demand, long-term service agreements, and logistics scaling for 20 years of projects across Latin America — a testament to Mitsubishi Power’s growth and resilience in global energy.

🎥 Recorded live at Breakbulk Americas 2025

About Our Sponsor: LS Cargo

LS Cargo Logistics is a worldwide project logistics provider delivering tailor-made transport solutions from origin to destination with a network of global partners. With a growing team in North America, contact LS Cargo for your next project shipment. Connect with Drew Roberts on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewkroberts/

👉 Visit https://ls-cargo.com/

For all business enquires relating to the podcast, email Luke@prospectcomms.co.uk

00:00 Introduction to Project Cargo Professionals

00:01 Hendrik "Henk" Alma, NEM Energy

10:55 Guillermina del Pino, Siemens Energy

23:00 Andrew McNamara, Energy Vault

30:37 Josie Almeida, TSEA Energia

39:39 Agustin Harriague, Mitsubishi Power Americas

Crane Rental for the Digital Age: Andrei Geikalo on MYCRANE’s Global Ambitions

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Project Cargo Professionals, I sit down in Dubai with Andrei Geikalo, founder and CEO of MYCRANE, to discuss how he’s reshaping one of the most traditional corners of heavy lift and project logistics.

Andrei explains why the old ways of renting cranes – endless calls, coffees, and mismatched proposals – are inefficient and outdated, and how MYCRANE became the world’s first global online crane rental platform. We explore:

How he overcame industry resistance to digitalization.
Real-life examples where MYCRANE has saved customers significant cost and time by optimizing crane selection.
The launch of MYCRANE Trading in Dubai and its role in creating transparency in equipment sales.
His vision for expanding into India, Saudi Arabia, and beyond, with ambitions to capture 30–35% of the global rental market online.
The mindset required to innovate in such a conservative industry.

Whether you’re in heavy lift, EPC, or project cargo, this episode shows how technology and persistence can drive lasting change in logistics and construction.

Inside Roll Group: Eddie Talbot on Soaring Demand and Global Expansion | Project Cargo Podcast

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000

** Voices of Breakbulk Americas, sponsored by Logiswift **

Having moved from an EPC role, Eddie Talbot, now managing director North America at Roll Group, began his project logistics career working “at the very limits” of people and equipment.

In this episode of Project Cargo Professionals, Eddie shares how Roll Group’s unique land and sea asset-based model is seeing unprecedented demand, with their vessels booked solid for the next two years, and how expansion in the U.S. is central to their growth story.

Eddie also looks back on his colourful years in the Middle East, where mega-projects tested his ingenuity, resilience, and grit.

You’ll hear:

The hard lessons (and proudest wins) from working “at the limits” during a time of rapid growth in the Gulf.
Why Roll Group is doubling down on new vessels, barges, and cranes.
How the U.S. market – from LNG in Louisiana to mega projects on the Gulf Coast – is driving their expansion.
Eddie’s candid reflections on mistakes, recoveries and the people who made the difference.

👉 A rare, candid look at the human and technical demands of project logistics – and the vision driving Roll Group forward in North America.

This episode of Project Cargo Professionals is part of our special Voices of Breakbulk Americas series, celebrating 35 years of the industry’s premier event. Register now for Breakbulk Americas, September 30 – October 2 in Houston: https://americas.breakbulk.com/home

About Logiswift

Logiswift makes your operations faster and simpler — managing the entire cargo lifecycle in one smart platform. With real end-to-end visibility, you can adapt quickly when things change. Built for project cargo, it’s now even more powerful with its new AI feature.

👉 Visit https://www.logiswift.com/

For all business enquires relating to the podcast, email Luke@prospectcomms.co.uk

Beyond the Hype: Marco Poisler on AI and Tech Risks in Project Logistics

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000

** Voices of Breakbulk Americas, sponsored by Logiswift **

Marco Poisler, Chief Operating Officer for Global Energy & Capital Projects at UTC Overseas, brings nearly three decades of experience to the complex world of project cargo. In this episode, he explores how artificial intelligence and digital technology are reshaping logistics – not just with exciting new efficiencies, but also with hidden risks that could disrupt projects.

Marco shares real-world examples from UTC’s work across global energy and infrastructure projects, including expansion into new markets, carrier vetting challenges, and his concerns about “digital dependency” after witnessing failures in the field. He also reflects on his teaching at the University of Houston, the importance of mentoring the next generation, and what makes project forwarding such a resilient and people-driven industry.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

How UTC Overseas is expanding in Guyana, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific
Why Marco believes AI in logistics is both powerful and dangerous if cybersecurity is overlooked
Case study: when a digital sensor failure on a vessel crane caused costly delays
Insights into rail bottlenecks and transformer moves for data centres
Reflections on teaching, mentorship, and resilience in project forwarding

About Logiswift

👉 Visit https://www.logiswift.com/

For all business enquires relating to the podcast, email Luke@prospectcomms.co.uk

Beyond the Box: Lana Warren on Growing Maersk Project Logistics

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000

** Voices of Breakbulk Americas, sponsored by Logiswift **

Maersk is best known as a global container shipping powerhouse – but in recent years, it has been moving beyond the box. With the acquisition of an independent project forwarder and the creation of Maersk Project Logistics, the company has built a dedicated platform to serve the complex world of project cargo and heavy lift.

In this episode, Lana Warren, head of Maersk Project Logistics in North America, shares how the projects division was formed, what makes it different from Maersk’s container business, and how the integration of Martin Bencher has created a global team delivering end-to-end project solutions across all five regions.

Lana also reflects on customer priorities today – from communication and visibility to navigating tariffs and infrastructure bottlenecks – and discusses the opportunities she sees in energy, renewables and government cargo. Along the way, she shares career highlights, lessons from decades in project forwarding, and why she believes logistics remains one of the most rewarding industries to join.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

How Maersk Project Logistics was strengthened by the Martin Bencher acquisition
The role of assets, terminals, warehousing and trucking in delivering integrated solutions
Case studies, including the movement of oversized LNG tanks from South Korea to the U.S.
Insights on customer concerns, from visibility to tariffs
Reflections on mentorship, gender in shipping, and career resilience

About Logiswift

For all business enquires relating to the podcast, email Luke@prospectcomms.co.uk

Why Trump’s Tariffs Don’t Work: Dennis Devlin, DT Project America

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 09:00:00 +0000

** Voices of Breakbulk Americas, sponsored by Logiswift **

In this latest episode of Voices of Breakbulk Americas, we meet Dennis Devlin, managing director of DT Project America, for a candid conversation on tariffs, trade, and the realities of today’s project logistics market.

With a career spanning DB Schenker, BDP, and leadership roles across Asia and the U.S., Dennis brings both global perspective and sharp opinions. He explains why he believes tariffs are “ridiculous” - costly to consumers, damaging to jobs, and disruptive for project logistics - while also recognizing where limited, strategic use can make sense.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why Dennis thinks tariffs don’t deliver the benefits promised

• Real-world examples of projects hit with millions in unexpected duties

• The global career path that took him from the U.S. to Shanghai, and why China still holds a special place for him

• His new role at DT Project America, which combines domestic trucking, warehousing and international forwarding under one roof

• Where Dennis sees growth opportunities, from nuclear to renewables

• Why Breakbulk Americas has been a cornerstone of his professional network for decades

Key Highlights:

• Building a career across Schenker, BDP, Pan Projects and now DT Project America

• First-hand views of how tariffs ripple through supply chains and consumer prices

• Insights into the enduring role of project forwarders, even as shippers deal directly with carriers

• Networking, learning, and industry trends to watch at the upcoming 35th anniversary of Breakbulk Americas

This episode is part of our special Voices of Breakbulk Americas series, celebrating 35 years of the industry’s premier event. Register now for Breakbulk Americas, September 30 – October 2 in Houston: https://americas.breakbulk.com/

About Logiswift

👉 Visit https://www.logiswift.com/

Big Tech Joins the Project Cargo Game: DHL’s Jake Swanson on Meta, Microsoft & More

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 09:00:00 +0000

** Voices of Breakbulk Americas, sponsored by Logiswift **

In this episode of Project Cargo Professionals, host Luke King sits down with Jake Swanson, Regional Vice President, Americas, at DHL Industrial Projects, to explore how the project cargo landscape is shifting as unexpected new players enter the market.

Jake reveals how companies like Meta, Microsoft, and Amazon—once seen as far removed from industrial projects—are now investing heavily in capital projects such as semiconductor fabs, data centers, and large-scale battery storage facilities. These developments are creating fresh opportunities and reshaping supply chains across the Americas.

From his early career at sea and time with EPCs and carriers, to his leadership role today at DHL, Jake shares insights on:

· Why big tech is now a project cargo customer—and what that means for the industry.

· Where DHL sees the most exciting growth, from mining in South America to nearshoring in Mexico.

· How trade policy, tariffs, and the talent gap are influencing project execution.

· DHL’s “Next Gen IP” training program and the role of innovation centers in delivering solutions.

Whether you’re a shipper, forwarder, or carrier, this conversation highlights the next wave of customers set to define the project logistics market.

This episode is part of our special Voices of Breakbulk Americas series, celebrating 35 years of the industry's premier event. Register now for Breakbulk Americas, September 30 - October 2 in Houston. https://americas.breakbulk.com/

About Logiswift

Bechtel’s Stephen “Spo” Spoljaric: My Move to the Silicon Heartland and the Future of Logistics

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 09:00:00 +0000

** Voices of Breakbulk Americas, sponsored by Logiswift **

In this first episode of Voices of Breakbulk Americas, we head to Columbus, Ohio to sit down with Stephen "Spo" Spoljaric, recently named Bechtel Fellow for Supply Chain Logistics - the first person to hold this prestigious title in his field.

Fresh from relocating his family to Ohio for a major semiconductor project, Spo shares his remarkable journey from college intern at a trucking company to becoming one of the industry's most respected logistics leaders.

What You'll Learn:

• How a chance meeting with a Jesuit priest launched a logistics career

• The "Three Cs" that define successful logistics professionals: Capable, Commercial awareness, and Communication

• Why Ohio is becoming the "Silicon Heartland" and what it means for project cargo

• Insights into Bechtel's "engineered logistics" approach and how they're integrating with engineering from day one

• The evolving role of freight forwarders and LSPs in an AI-driven world

• How the SHIPS Act could transform American maritime logistics

• Why logistics is ultimately a support function - and why that matters

Key Highlights:

• Moving from corporate logistics manager during the pandemic to program management

• The importance of university partnerships and developing the next generation of logistics talent

• Balancing 24/7 connectivity with mental health in our always-on industry

• What to expect at the upcoming 35th anniversary of Breakbulk Americas

Spo also shares candid advice for early-career professionals, discusses the value of taking calculated risks, and explains why sometimes the best call during a disaster shipment isn't to another logistics expert.

Whether you're just starting out in project cargo or you're a seasoned professional, this conversation offers valuable insights into where our industry is heading and how to build a meaningful career in logistics.

About Logiswift

👉 Visit https://www.logiswift.com/

Project Logistics in Mozambique: Thomas Vestergaard’s Journey from Aarhus to Africa

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 15:30:00 +0000

What’s a Danish shipping veteran doing in Mozambique? A lot, it turns out.

In this episode of Project Cargo Professionals, I sit down with Thomas Vestergaard, CEO and founding partner of UPF Group, to hear how he’s built a growing logistics network across Africa—from Maputo to Luanda, from Douala to Dar es Salaam.

We discuss:

· The massive LNG projects transforming northern Mozambique

· Why Thomas believes doing business in Africa is like “stepping back in time—in a good way”

· Building ultra-lean offices that empower local teams

· Making logistics personal, and why grabbing a coffee or lunch with a client might still be your best sales tool

· His expansion strategy across southern and eastern Africa—and why trust is the real currency

· How UPF is supporting forwarders in high-stakes environments like Pemba and Palma

· Why Peter Jensen of Maersk Project Logistics gets his vote for a future guest

It’s a candid conversation about entrepreneurship, culture, and opportunity in a continent with unlimited potential.

Enjoy the episode—and don’t forget to subscribe for more stories from the front lines of project cargo.

For more content, visit Project Cargo Professionals.

🌎 Supported by The Heavy Lift Group, our Association Partner

Founded in 1987, The Heavy Lift Group is an international network of companies specializing in heavy lift and project cargo operations. Its 70+ members offer combined know-how, skills, experience and innovation to manage transportation needs of any scale, including the largest and most complex multimodal projects. As a quality-driven group, each member is carefully selected to ensure the highest standards of professionalism, reliability, and expertise across the network. THLG unites a diverse range of industry specialists—including cargo aircraft operators, specialized hauliers and crane operators, equipment and technology manufacturers, as well as freight forwarders, ship brokers and vessel owners. #PowerinUnity

Nilesh Sinha on India’s Project Cargo Boom: Metro Rail, Energy and 200 Competitors

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 09:00:00 +0000

This week on Project Cargo Professionals, we head to Kolkata, India, to speak with Nilesh Sinha, Director of Procam Group and a member of The Heavy Lift Group, our Association Partner.

With more than 15 years in the business, Nilesh offers a candid view of what it takes to operate in India’s fast-evolving project logistics sector. He explains why succeeding here requires not only technical skill, but the mindset of a philosopher — and the patience of a psychologist.

From the challenge of balancing timelines and client expectations, to the ongoing modernisation of India’s ports and hinterland infrastructure, this episode explores the complexity and opportunity of working in the world’s most populous democracy.

🎧 In this episode:

Why logistics in India is often a test of temperament as much as skill
The current state of infrastructure and digitalisation
The potential for large-scale heavy lift barge operations in India
Why transparency, process and people are more important than price
How Procam approaches partnerships with both global and local players
What Nilesh believes international clients often misread about India
And why — when it works — the impact is visible in the lives of everyday citizens

For more content, visit Project Cargo Professionals.

🌎 Supported by The Heavy Lift Group, our Association Partner

Frank O Mueller: AAL Shipping’s Hamburg Export Who Made Brisbane Home

Wed, 02 Jul 2025 09:00:00 +0000

In this episode of Project Cargo Professionals, host Luke King goes Down Under to talk to Frank O Mueller—better known in the industry as "FOM"—to explore his journey from Hamburg to Brisbane and his 25-year career with AAL Shipping. From surviving Brisbane’s muggy summers to steering a multipurpose fleet through global disruption, Frank offers insights into leadership, customer trust, and the thinking behind AAL’s new Super B-Class vessels.

You’ll hear why AAL chose to stick with its liner service during the COVID-19 pandemic while others pivoted and how their in-house engineering team designed new ships to meet oversized cargo challenges. Whether you're moving 50 tons of steel or building a future-proof fleet, this conversation highlights the role of long-term thinking, customer relationships and the importance of trust in the project cargo world.

🚢 Topics Covered:

· The origins of the “FOM” nickname and why it stuck

· Life in Brisbane and AAL’s decision to base there

· Lessons from sticking to trade lanes during COVID

· The story behind AAL’s new Super B-Class ships

· Designing vessels with wind blades, barges, and open-hold operations in mind

· The complex path to decarbonising shipping

· Why trust and transparency still matter in a digital world

· Frank’s leadership style—and his career highlight

For more content, visit Project Cargo Professionals.

🌎 Supported by The Heavy Lift Group, our Association Partner

Sandro Lepori: “You Underestimated Us” — A Veteran’s Message to the Project Cargo Sector

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 13:05:00 +0000

Recorded in Basel, Switzerland, this episode features Sandro Lepori, Director of Industrial Projects at Fracht, and a longtime logistics leader with former roles at ABB and Alstom.

Known for his understated style and extensive industry experience, Sandro reflects on a career at the heart of major global projects — and the lessons he’s learned about leadership, planning, and the power of respecting your team.

In this episode:

· Why logistics is still underestimated by procurement and engineering teams

· The case for putting quality ahead of cost

· Building trust with service providers

· What true leadership looks like in the field

This is a rare conversation with one of the industry's most quietly respected figures.

For more content, visit Project Cargo Professionals.

🚢 Powered by Varamar 🚢

With offices in 13 countries, including recent openings in Asia, they’re bridging the East-West gap. A multilingual team fluent in languages from English and German to Arabic and Chinese means communication is seamless.

Agustin Harriague: Why ‘We Do It All’ is a Red Flag in Project Logistics

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 17:15:00 +0000

In this episode of Project Cargo Professionals, we speak with our first shipper guest — Agustin Harriague, Vice President of Logistics at Mitsubishi Power Americas.

From 600-metric-ton gas turbines to last-minute site changes, Agustin knows what it takes to deliver in the complex world of power generation logistics. His message to logistics service providers is clear: stop trying to do it all.

We talk about:

· The danger of pretending you can handle every project

· What shippers actually want from forwarders and heavy haulers

· Why he values creativity and transparency over big claims

· Mentoring the next generation of logistics professionals

· Making project logistics more attractive in the age of AI and TikTok

· How a sabbatical year changed his career path forever

Whether you're a seasoned forwarder or just entering the world of project cargo, this one is packed with valuable insight from the client perspective.

For more content, visit Project Cargo Professionals.

🚢 Powered by Varamar 🚢

Elisabeth Cosmatos: Reinventing a Greek Family Firm Through the Language of Logistics

Tue, 20 May 2025 10:55:00 +0000

Elisabeth Cosmatos didn’t just inherit a logistics company — she re-invented it.

In this episode of Project Cargo Professionals, recorded in Thessaloniki, Greece, we speak with the CEO of Cosmatos Group and President of The Heavy Lift Group (THLG). From juggling NATO calls in her first job to steering the business into project cargo and heavy lift, Elisabeth shares how language, adaptability, and persistence helped her take the company to the next level.

We discuss:

· Why speaking English landed her on the frontlines of military logistics

· How she built Cosmatos’ reputation in project cargo

· The cultural dynamics of leading in Greece

· How woman can succeed in a male-dominated industry like logistics

· What it takes to keep a global network like THLG thriving

This is a story about planning beyond the plan, getting on with the work, and trusting your voice.

00:58 Meet Elizabeth Cosmatos

01:39 Exploring Thessaloniki

03:35 Greek Cuisine and Culture

07:58 Thessaloniki Port and Its Importance

13:00 Challenges and Changes in Project Cargo

15:19 Greece's Economic Recovery

19:06 Family Business Dynamics

34:00 Gender Bias in the Industry

40:26 The Heavy Lift Group

For more content, visit Project Cargo Professionals.

🚢 Powered by Varamar 🚢

Varamar Shipping specializes in bulk, breakbulk, heavy-lift, and oversized shipments, and is a trusted carrier to and from Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. At Varamar, massive structures like wind turbines or entire factories are a day-to-day business and, as a semi-liner carrier, they can offer tailor-made solutions, calling wherever and whenever you need them to. With offices in 13 countries, including recent openings in Asia, they’re bridging the East-West gap. A multilingual team fluent in languages from English and German to Arabic and Chinese means communication is seamless.

Bo Drewsen: Regret Less, Do More — A Life in Project Cargo

Sat, 10 May 2025 18:15:00 +0000

With over 40 years in the freight business and two company exits under his belt, Bo Drewsen has seen the logistics industry from just about every angle — and he's not done yet.

In this episode of Project Cargo Professionals, Bo joins host Luke King for a candid conversation on what it takes to scale a project freight company, sell it successfully, and then start again — this time with a different mission. Now the founder of two freight forwarding networks, CLC Projects and Cross Ocean, Bo is connecting independent forwarders around the world while keeping a sharp eye on the state of the shipping industry.

From landing a 600 flat-rack deal against global giants to riding container ships as a passenger, Bo shares real lessons about trust, timing, and the personal toll this business can take.

🎙️ Topics Covered:

Bo’s early days in Aarhus (and why he almost became a journalist)
Founding Martin Bencher and winning big in China
The post-exit pause — and what it taught him
Why he built two global networks (and how they really work)
The threat to independent forwarders from carriers and credit-heavy tenders
Bo’s no-BS advice to anyone trying to build in freight

00:00 Introduction to Customer Service

00:10 Meet Bo Drewsen: Career Overview

01:01 Early Career and Martin Bencher Formation

04:23 Scaling Martin Bencher

06:25 Challenges and Successes

08:53 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

13:45 The Network Era

19:13 Reflections and Future Outlook

29:00 Closing Remarks

For more content, visit Project Cargo Professionals.

🚢 Powered by Varamar 🚢

Ruedi Reisdorf: "You Don't Buy a Project Cargo Company to Slice It"

Tue, 06 May 2025 05:35:00 +0000

In this episode of Project Cargo Professionals, recorded in Basel, Switzerland, Luke King interviews Ruedi Reisdorf, owner of Fracht, to discuss the history of Fracht, industry consolidation, and Ruedi's views on company acquisitions and growth - without borrowing money.

He shares personal anecdotes, his strategy for maintaining a company's culture following acquisition, and his thoughts on the future of project freight forwarding. The episode also touches on Fracht's expansion into different markets, its involvement in the wind and oil industries, and the company's sponsorship of Inter Miami FC featuring Lionel Messi.

00:36 Meet Ruedi Reisdorf: The Man Behind Fracht

01:06 The History and Growth of Fracht

03:10 Navigating Family Business Dynamics

04:07 Expanding Beyond Switzerland

08:42 Strategic Acquisitions and Market Insights

12:21 The Importance of Company Culture

19:24 Investing in Future Technologies

23:39 Sponsoring Inter Miami FC and Messi

27:03 Future Plans for Fracht

36:10 Final Thoughts and Farewell

For more content, visit Project Cargo Professionals.

🚢 Powered by Varamar 🚢

Kevin O’Sullivan: From Military Man to Buying a Bit of Mammoet

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 14:21:00 +0000

19 years in the military taught Kevin O'Sullivan discipline and structure, but he made the leap into construction and logistics and then went on to lead a management buyout of Mammoet’s southern Africa operation, now Tembo. In the first episode of Project Cargo Professionals, Kevin explains how he got started in heavy lift, how we bought a bit of Mammoet and why he’s never looked back.

For more content, visit Project Cargo Professionals.

🚢 Powered by Varamar 🚢

Project Cargo Professionals - Trailer

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 08:45:00 +0000

Project Cargo Professionals takes you inside the heavy lift business to meet the characters who make the big stuff move. Discover the extraordinary stories of logistics leaders from all walks of life – and all corners of the earth – who’ve successfully navigated the highs and lows of project forwarding. Join us as we junk the jargon and hear real stories from real people as they share their personal and business philosophies, some of the secrets of their success and give advice for the next generation of project professionals.