Project Cargo Professionals

Luke King

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. New episodes every week on all podcast platforms. Hosted by Luke King and produced by Prospect Communications, a specialist PR agency for the project cargo sector. For questions or collaborations, email: Luke [at] prospectcomms.co.uk or find me on LinkedIn. Find us on YouTube for video content! https://www.youtube.com/@ProjectCargoPros

  1. The Shipper Sessions (Part 1) | Live with Elsewedy Electric & thyssenkrupp Uhde at Breakbulk Europe

    5일 전

    The Shipper Sessions (Part 1) | Live with Elsewedy Electric & thyssenkrupp Uhde at Breakbulk Europe

    What does it really take to deliver the world's largest industrial, power and infrastructure projects? In this special edition of Project Cargo Professionals, recorded live at Breakbulk Europe 2026, two senior shippers share how project logistics is evolving from a transport function into a strategic advantage – and what that means for freight forwarders looking to win more business. In this episode of Project Cargo Professionals: Maher Said – Head of Logistics, Elsewedy Electric Power Systems Projects (Egypt) Maher shares lessons from delivering the US$2.9 billion Julius Nyerere Hydropower Project in Tanzania, why logistics must be embedded from the earliest stages of project planning, the importance of contingency planning, Elsewedy's expanding global project portfolio, and how the company selects, develops and continually evaluates its logistics service providers. Daniel Duus – Global Head of Logistics, thyssenkrupp Uhde (Germany) Daniel explains why logistics is becoming a strategic function within modern EPC businesses, discussing early contractor involvement, route studies, modular construction, geopolitical risk, evolving contract models, AI-driven supply chain visibility, and why project logistics providers need to understand their customers' industries – not just their cargo. Whether you're involved in EPC contracting, project cargo, heavy lift or global supply chains, this episode offers practical insight from two highly experienced shipper-side logistics leaders. 🎙️ Recorded live at Breakbulk Europe 2026 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Hosted by Luke King and produced by Prospect Communications, a specialist PR consultancy for the project cargo sector. For all business enquires relating to the podcast, email Luke@prospectcomms.co.uk and visit https://www.projectcargopros.com/ About Our Sponsor: UTC Overseas UTC Overseas is a global project logistics and freight forwarding specialist, providing tailored end-to-end solutions for complex cargo movements. With 43 offices across 22 countries and a trusted worldwide partner network, UTC delivers ocean, air, rail, inland transport and turnkey project logistics for customers around the globe. 👉 Visit https://utcoverseas.com 0:00 Introducing Maher Said 0:21 About Maher's Role 2:29 The Julius Nyerere Project, Tanzania 3:00 Logistics Challenges on the Project 4:50 Key Lessons Learned 8:36 Current Projects & Expansion into Europe 9:41 Approach to Logistics Service Providers 12:16 Meet Daniel Duus, thyssenkrupp Uhde 13:11 10 Years at thyssenkrupp – How the Role Has Evolved 21:47 Modularization in EPC Logistics 24:07 AI, Geopolitics & the Future of Project Logistics 25:33 Advice to Logistics Providers on Winning Business

    27분
  2. What Actually Wins Work: How Project Cargo Shippers Decide — Live at Breakbulk Europe 2026

    6월 25일

    What Actually Wins Work: How Project Cargo Shippers Decide — Live at Breakbulk Europe 2026

    How do you keep your logistics operation under control when your business is growing 30%+ year on year? How can logistics providers win more project cargo business by leveraging their in-house engineering capability — rather than relying only on sales reps? And how could LSPs be helping shippers navigate the growing weight of global regulatory compliance, from CBAM to Article 232? These are just some of the questions addressed in this special episode, recorded live on the Breakbulk Live Stage at Breakbulk Europe 2026 in Rotterdam, and moderated by Luke King, This episode of Project Cargo Professionals offers a candid, no-filter panel of three senior logistics decision-makers — the people who actually decide which providers get the work. They are: Christian Ohlrich — Director of Global Logistics at Fluence Energy, one of the world's leading battery energy storage integrators, managing shipments of hundreds of 45-tonne-plus units to project sites across the globe. Steffen Blumhofer — Head of Trade, Transport and Logistics Sourcing at Hitachi Energy Germany, responsible for sourcing logistics for some of the largest power infrastructure projects in the world. Henk Alma — Logistics Manager at NEM Energy, a specialist manufacturer of heat recovery steam generators whose modules can weigh up to 220 tonnes — and whose project pipeline is, in his own words, "going berserk." In this session we get into what actually drives project cargo awards — and we go beyond HSE records and scorecard ratings. Christian makes a compelling case for why this industry will always be a people business, and why no scorecard will save you if the gut feeling isn't there. Henk explains why NEM cut its logistics provider pool from 80 companies down to a core group — and what it takes to get into that group and stay there. Steffen talks about the shift from transactional, project-by-project thinking to genuine long-term partnership, and what that means for providers willing to invest in the relationship. We also get into the changing cargo realities each of them is managing right now: Fluence's deliberate decision to go against the industry trend and break its BESS units apart rather than go bigger; Hitachi's approach to managing an increasingly complex global supply chain under constant geopolitical pressure; and NEM's deep dive into the regulatory headaches — CBAM, US Section 232, mill certificate demands — that are quietly consuming enormous management bandwidth at companies that don't have dedicated compliance departments. If you work in project cargo logistics and you want to understand how your customers think, this is the episode for you. 🎥 Recorded in Rotterdam, Netherlands 👉Connect with the panellists on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianohlrich/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/henk-alma-51969137/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/steffen-blumhofer/ Produced by Prospect Communications, a specialist PR consultancy for the project cargo sector. For all business enquires relating to the podcast, email Luke@prospectcomms.co.uk and visit https://www.projectcargopros.com/ About 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. 00:00 Welcome and Panel Intro 01:18 NEM Energy Acquisition News 01:52 Biggest Logistics Frustrations 04:44 What Wins Work Today 08:35 Forwarding Quality Rising 12:15 Requirements Getting Harder 18:06 Regulations and Compliance Pain 22:17 Industry Consolidation Debate 26:03 Sustainability and Paying Premiums 33:29 Top Tips to Win Business 41:38 Closing & Thanks

    42분
  3. Giovanni Marraffa: How One Truck Became an Italian Heavy Transport Success Story

    6월 9일

    Giovanni Marraffa: How One Truck Became an Italian Heavy Transport Success Story

    Italy's project logistics sector faces no shortage of challenges — aging infrastructure, permit delays, rising complexity and growing demand from the power and energy sector. In this episode of Project Cargo Professionals, Giovanni Marraffa reflects on the journey of a family business that began with a single truck in southern Italy and has grown into one of the country's best-known heavy transport and lifting specialists. Alongside brother Pasquale, Giovanni is helping lead the next generation of the Marraffa-WeRent Group, while still working alongside founder Michele Marraffa, who started the company in 1977. Speaking in Taranto, Italy, with host Luke King, Giovanni shares his perspective on the realities of moving project cargo across Italy, investing in a 700-tonne Liebherr LTM 1650-8.1 mobile crane, developing the next generation of talent and why the company continues to focus on the specialist jobs that others often avoid. Part of PCP's Voices of Breakbulk Europe series, this episode also explores: • The state of Italy's manufacturing and industrial sectors • Infrastructure challenges and permit delays affecting heavy transport • Why Marraffa focuses on versatile equipment rather than single-industry solutions • Major power and energy projects driving demand across Italy • The story behind Marraffa's 700-tonne Liebherr crane investment • Transporting a 300-tonne generator across Italy • Talent development and the launch of Marraffa's training academy • Family business succession and working alongside founder Michele Marraffa • CEVA’s acquisition of Fagioli and what it means for the Italian market • Why face-to-face relationships still matter in project logistics "Michele always tried to find the jobs that nobody wanted to do — something special, something difficult." 🎥 Recorded in Taranto, Italy 👉 Connect with Giovanni on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/giovannimarraffa/ For all business enquiries relating to the podcast, email Luke@prospectcomms.co.uk and visit https://www.projectcargopros.com/ About 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 Series Sponsor: Rhenus Project Logistics Global Rhenus delivers turnkey solutions for complex industrial and infrastructure projects worldwide, combining in-house engineering with multi-modal transport and its own asset base. 👉 Visit https://www.rhenus.group/uk/en/project-logistics/ About Our Supporter: Procam Group Procam Group is a leading integrated project logistics company in India specializing in heavy haul, chartering, installation, and project freight. 👉 Visit https://procamgroup.in/

    28분
  4. What Wind Power Can Teach Project Logistics | Ruediger Fromm, Siemens Energy

    6월 2일

    What Wind Power Can Teach Project Logistics | Ruediger Fromm, Siemens Energy

    Wind power is growing larger, more complex and more exposed to global disruption — and that is changing the role logistics plays in project delivery. In this episode of Project Cargo Professionals, Siemens Energy's Ruediger Fromm explains why logistics can no longer be treated as an execution function. From turbine design and engineering through to project delivery, logistics is increasingly shaping decisions at every stage of the project lifecycle. As Logistics Business Partner for Wind Power at Siemens Energy, Ruediger offers valuable insight into engineering, supply chain and project execution. Drawing on experience from both the shipper and heavy transport sides of the industry, he addresses the continued growth of offshore wind, the impact of geopolitical volatility on global supply chains, and why flexibility has become one of the most important attributes in modern project logistics. We discuss data transparency, sustainability expectations, Europe's competitiveness, the challenge of attracting new talent and Ruediger's views on the growing trend towards integrated, one-stop-shop logistics providers. Part of PCP’s Voices of Breakbulk Europe series, hosted by Luke King, this episode also explores: • Why offshore wind demand remains strong despite market uncertainty • The growing impact of geopolitics on project logistics planning • Why logistics teams are now involved during turbine design and engineering • How transport considerations increasingly influence product development • The biggest risks facing wind power logistics today • Data transparency and the future of supply chain visibility • Are one-stop-shop logistics providers really what customers want? • Sustainability expectations for logistics service providers • Europe's competitiveness and the challenge of bureaucracy 🎥 Recorded in Bremen, Germany 👉 Connect with Ruediger on LinkedIn: / ruediger-fromm-aa66b986 For all business enquiries relating to the podcast, email Luke@prospectcomms.co.uk and visit https://www.projectcargopros.com/ About 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 Series Sponsor: Rhenus Project Logistics Global Rhenus delivers turnkey solutions for complex industrial and infrastructure projects worldwide, combining in-house engineering with multi-modal transport and its own asset base. 👉 Visit https://www.rhenus.group/uk/en/project-logistics/ About Our Supporter: Procam Group Procam Group is a leading integrated project logistics company in India specializing in heavy haul, chartering, installation, and project freight. 👉 Visit https://procamgroup.in/

    25분
  5. Carsten Wendt: The Rise of RoRo for Heavy Cargo & Making Green Shipping Transparent | Project Cargo Professionals

    5월 26일

    Carsten Wendt: The Rise of RoRo for Heavy Cargo & Making Green Shipping Transparent | Project Cargo Professionals

    Wallenius Wilhelmsen has long been known as one of the world’s leading RoRo operators, but as Carsten Wendt explains in this episode of Project Cargo Professionals, the company is making a renewed push into breakbulk and project cargo at a time when global trade patterns, sourcing strategies and fleet deployment are rapidly evolving. Recorded in Bremen, Germany, Carsten discusses how Wallenius Wilhelmsen navigated the post-Covid vehicle boom, why shifting manufacturing from Europe to Asia is reshaping global shipping routes, and how RoRo carriers are positioning themselves as a safer and more flexible option for oversized cargo. We also dive into one of the company’s standout recent shipments: the transport of a 334-ton generator stator from Germany to Brisbane for Siemens Energy and CS Energy — the heaviest single piece ever transported on one of Wallenius Wilhelmsen’s RoRo vessels. A major focus of the conversation is sustainability and the commercial realities behind decarbonization in shipping. Carsten speaks candidly about the lack of a “silver bullet” fuel solution, why customers still prioritise price over green transport, and why Wallenius Wilhelmsen has taken the unusual step of separating sustainability-related costs transparently rather than hiding them within freight rates. Hosted by Luke King, this interview also explores EV fire risk mitigation, fleet renewal, the challenge of decarbonization and the growing overlap between shipping lines and freight forwarders. In this episode of Voices of Breakbulk Europe: • Why Wallenius Wilhelmsen sees project cargo as a strategic long-term growth area • How tariffs and geopolitical shifts are changing vessel deployment and cargo flows • The operational advantages of RoRo for oversized and heavy cargo • Why the company is investing in methanol- and ammonia-ready vessels • The reality of sustainable shipping — and why customers still prioritise price • How Wallenius Wilhelmsen is expanding beyond ocean freight into end-to-end logistics • Why shipping lines and freight forwarders are increasingly overlapping Carsten is Senior Manager - Head of Sales High & Heavy and Breakbulk at Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean AS. 🎥 Recorded in Bremen, Germany 👉 Connect with Carsten on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carsten-wendt-6490a72/ For all business enquiries relating to the podcast, email Luke@prospectcomms.co.uk and visit https://www.projectcargopros.com/ About 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 Series Sponsor: Rhenus Project Logistics Global Rhenus delivers turnkey solutions for complex industrial and infrastructure projects worldwide, combining in-house engineering with multi-modal transport and its own asset base. 👉 Visit https://www.rhenus.group/uk/en/project-logistics/ About Our Supporter: Procam Group Procam Group is a leading integrated project logistics company in India specializing in heavy haul, chartering, installation, and project freight. 👉 Visit https://procamgroup.in/

    26분
  6. Tina Benjamin-Lea: New Industries, New Thinking and the Need to Adapt | Project Cargo Professionals

    5월 20일

    Tina Benjamin-Lea: New Industries, New Thinking and the Need to Adapt | Project Cargo Professionals

    Currently on assignment at Eli Lilly and Company, supporting the construction of a major pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Germany, Tina Benjamin-Lea joins Project Cargo Professionals for a wide-ranging discussion on how project logistics is evolving far beyond its traditional oil & gas roots. Tina’s conversation with host Luke King offers a rare shipper-side perspective from somebody who has spent decades leading logistics on some of the world’s most complex industrial developments — from Iraq and Afghanistan to giga-projects in Saudi Arabia, major EPC environments and now Europe’s fast-growing advanced manufacturing sector. Over a career spanning Shell, SNC-Lavalin, Air Products, Kerry Logistics and major Middle East infrastructure programs, Tina has worked across oil & gas, defence, renewables, and construction logistics, giving her a uniquely broad perspective on where project cargo is heading next. In this episode of Voices of Breakbulk Europe, Tina explains why sectors like pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, battery plants and data centres are likely to be the industry’s next major growth drivers — and why project logistics companies need to rethink how they approach these markets. Tina also explores the human side of the business: leadership, communication, adaptability and why some of the industry’s most valuable people are increasingly being overlooked. In this episode: • Why advanced manufacturing sectors are creating major new opportunities for project logistics • What project forwarders still misunderstand about shipper expectations • How Tina adapted from oil & gas megaprojects to pharmaceutical construction logistics • Why curiosity and adaptability matter more than technical expertise alone • Her experiences working across Iraq, Afghanistan, Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East • Why communication and collaboration become critical during crises and supply chain disruption • The growing talent gap in project logistics — and why experienced professionals are being overlooked • Why women remain underrepresented in senior project logistics roles 🎥 Recorded in Rotterdam, Netherlands 👉 Connect with Tina on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-benjamin-lea-miex-a1a62610/ For all business enquiries relating to the podcast, email Luke@prospectcomms.co.uk and visit https://www.projectcargopros.com/ About 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 Series Sponsor: Rhenus Project Logistics Global Rhenus delivers turnkey solutions for complex industrial and infrastructure projects worldwide, combining in-house engineering with multi-modal transport and its own asset base. 👉 Visit https://www.rhenus.group/uk/en/project-logistics/ About Our Supporter: Procam Group Procam Group is a leading integrated project logistics company in India specializing in heavy haul, chartering, installation, and project freight. 👉 Visit https://procamgroup.in/

    31분
  7. Edgar Monteiro: Scaling LASO Across Europe & Beyond | Project Cargo Professionals

    5월 12일

    Edgar Monteiro: Scaling LASO Across Europe & Beyond | Project Cargo Professionals

    Edgar Monteiro joins Project Cargo Professionals for a riverside conversation in Porto about the rise of LASO Transportes from a Portuguese heavy transport specialist into an increasingly international project cargo player operating across Europe and Africa. In this episode of Voices of Breakbulk Europe, Strategy Director Edgar reflects on LASO’s rapid expansion into markets including Germany, France, Italy, the UK, Morocco and Mozambique — and the strategy behind building a transport business capable of handling some of Europe’s most demanding heavy haul and lifting projects. We discuss the realities of operating oversized transport across multiple jurisdictions, the growing demands of the wind sector, and why investment in fleet, infrastructure and people remains central to LASO’s long-term vision. Edgar also shares insights into Portugal’s industrial base, the challenges facing European transport operators, and how the company is preparing for the next phase of growth in an increasingly complex global market. In this episode: • How LASO expanded from Portugal into major European markets • The thinking behind the company’s €20m-€30m annual investment programme • Why wind energy remains a major growth driver for project cargo • The challenges of permits, driver shortages and cross-border operations in Europe • Inside one of the largest heavy transport operations ever carried out in Lisbon • Why LASO continues to invest heavily in fleet, lifting and infrastructure • Edgar’s view on the future of project cargo, energy and industrial transport in Europe • A local’s guide to Porto — and why the city has changed so dramatically in recent years 🎥 Recorded in Porto, Portugal 👉 Connect with Edgar on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edgar-monteiro-6832251a/ For all business enquires relating to the podcast, email Luke@prospectcomms.co.uk and visit https://www.projectcargopros.com/ About 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 Series Sponsor: Rhenus Project Logistics Rhenus Project Logistics delivers turnkey solutions for complex industrial and infrastructure projects worldwide, combining in-house engineering with multi-modal transport and its own asset base. 👉 Visit https://www.rhenus.group/uk/en/project-logistics/ About Our Supporter: Procam Group Procam Group is a leading integrated project logistics company in India specializing in heavy haul, chartering, installation, and project freight. 👉 Visit https://procamgroup.in/

    36분
  8. Martin Harren: Risk, Resilience and the Future of Heavy Lift Shipping

    5월 3일

    Martin Harren: Risk, Resilience and the Future of Heavy Lift Shipping

    Martin Harren rarely gives interviews — so when the owner and CEO of the Harren Group (which includes SAL, SAL Intermarine and Combi Lift) sat down with Project Cargo Professionals in Bremen, it was an opportunity to hear directly from one of the sector’s most influential decision-makers. In this extended episode of Voices of Breakbulk Europe, Martin reflects on an unconventional path into shipping, from operating theatres to running one of the world’s most respected heavy-lift groups. What emerges is a clear philosophy: results matter, risk must be controlled, and survival always comes first. We discuss the strategy behind the Orca Class vessels, why Harren has made bold moves without ever “betting the company”, and how the line between shipowner and freight forwarder is increasingly blurred. Martin also gives a candid view on Germany’s industrial future, the risks facing the business and why, despite everything, he remains optimistic. In this episode: How a background in surgery shaped Harren’s approach to risk and decision-makingWhy maintaining low debt levels is central to long-term survivalThe thinking behind the Orca Class — speed, efficiency and flexibilityHow SAL, Intermarine and Combi Lift fit together operationallyWhy 50%+ exposure to wind is both an opportunity and a riskHis view on Europe’s competitiveness — and what Germany is getting wrong 🎥 Recorded in Bremen, Germany 👉 Connect with Martin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-harren-623051123/ For all business enquires relating to the podcast, email Luke@prospectcomms.co.uk and visit https://www.projectcargopros.com/ About 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 Series Sponsor: Rhenus Project Logistics Rhenus Project Logistics delivers turnkey solutions for complex industrial and infrastructure projects worldwide, combining in-house engineering with multi-modal transport and its own asset base. 👉 Visit https://www.rhenus.group/uk/en/project-logistics/ About Our Supporter: Procam Group Procam Group is a leading integrated project logistics company in India specializing in heavy haul, chartering, installation, and project freight. 👉 Visit https://procamgroup.in/

    47분

소개

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. New episodes every week on all podcast platforms. Hosted by Luke King and produced by Prospect Communications, a specialist PR agency for the project cargo sector. For questions or collaborations, email: Luke [at] prospectcomms.co.uk or find me on LinkedIn. Find us on YouTube for video content! https://www.youtube.com/@ProjectCargoPros