Delivering Beyond: Key Takeaways from Rotterdam
In June, representatives from across the special cargo shipping industry came together at Breakbulk Europe in Rotterdam. At the ONE booth, our experts in Breakbulk and Out-Of-Gauge (OOG) shipments had many insightful discussions with our clients and customers. A big thank you to everyone who stopped by, and in this article we will be sharing some of the key trends and stories that we picked up on.
Despite geopolitical challenges putting some projects on hold, the project cargo market is continuing to grow, and the role of global container shipping lines such as ONE is expanding in the Breakbulk space. Kevin de Groote, Manager, Global Reefer and Special Cargo, shared: “In an era defined by geopolitical uncertainties and tightening timelines in the multipurpose vessel (MPV) sector, container shipping lines have evolved from an alternative into a strategic pillar for OOG and Breakbulk. Leveraging regular, weekly container sailings offers shippers predictable schedules and extensive port connectivity.”
At ONE, we offer shipping solutions that are tailored to your specific needs. At Breakbulk we spoke to one of our freight forwarder customers, Sandeep Singh, Director, Linking Horizons. He shared, “ONE has been supporting us a lot in the IPPC market. Every day you have different challenges, and ONE solves them in a very personalized way.”
Our experts have extensive experience managing transportation of Breakbulk and OOG cargo ranging from yachts, trees, propeller blades and construction equipment to name just a few — and we have a proven track record of successful deliveries.
The Shifting Landscape of Project Cargo
For both geopolitical and economic reasons, both manufacturing hubs and channels of infrastructure investment have been constantly shifting in recent years, and a fluctuating regulatory environment has only made matters more complex for shippers. Customers are looking for carriers with expertise who can act as a single point of contact and manage shipments end-to-end, while providing solutions that enable businesses to adapt and remain commercially competitive in the volatile conditions.
Global Partnerships
To facilitate increasing investment in megaprojects across Asia, Europe, North America, and the Middle East, project cargo solutions are required on a whole new scale. Customers require globally integrated networks that can operate efficiently while also catering to regional nuances.
Remi Pak, Regional Manager, Special Cargo Management, shared: "At ONE, we are committed to providing the expertise and resources needed to address the complex landscape of Special Cargo transport. Leveraging our extensive network of trusted global partners, we ensure your shipments are handled with the highest level of professionalism from end-to-end."
Case study: Türkiye
One country we are seeing clearly demonstrating these trends is Türkiye. Remzi Terlikol, Manager, Türkiye Reefer & Special Cargo Sales, shared:
“Türkiye is strengthening its position as a hub for project cargo, connecting Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The country is achieving this through both active and planned investments in improving current infrastructure.”
Türkiye has been rapidly upscaling production of wind turbine components, which often require active management and special equipment to ship. To enable port capacity to keep pace with this growth, Türkiye is investing in port expansion projects in the Black Sea and Eastern Mediterranean, with the port of Filyos being a flagship example. In addition, the ongoing Development Road megaproject is set to pass through Türkiye from Iraq, greatly increasing the volume of breakbulk and industrial project cargo passing through the region.
Learn More About Delivering the Extraordinary
ONE’s latest industry report, “Delivering the Extraordinary,” further explores the trends reshaping global special cargo logistics and the growing importance of technical expertise in managing complex shipments.
Download our full report to learn more
Looking Ahead
Facing expanding global projects, tightening timelines, and the growing size and complexity of cargo, we will use the insights gained at Breakbulk Europe to tailor our special cargo services to the evolving market — providing customized, point-to-point solutions to support our customers in delivering their OOG and Breakbulk shipments with confidence. Speak to one of our sales representatives to find out more.