With only low-capacity increases forecast for the MPV fleet, operators believe they will be able to handle the predicted increases in project cargo. 

Cargo movers are holding back on executing breakbulk and project cargo shipments as much as possible until there is a clearer picture of costs in the current unsettled market.

With more ships expected to divert to the longer Cape of Good Hope route around southern Africa, shippers could find it more difficult to secure capacity for project cargoes.

The loss of An-124 heavy-lift air capacity will force a modal shift to ocean or a reduction in cargo sizes to fit into smaller craft, experts say.

Economies of scale are prompting shippers to superscale project cargoes, putting pressure on carriers and forwarders.

While some markets grapple with the lingering effects of trade disputes and fluctuating demand, others are experiencing unprecedented growth driven by green initiatives, robust domestic infrastructure development and the necessities of defense.

Client relationships have not been harmed by tariffs because shippers and carriers recognize the need for additional and unexpected costs to be passed through the supply chain.

Larger components are pushing handling boundaries with an increasing number of locations too small to accommodate growing cargo sizes.

While traditional energy projects continue to drive immediate demand, long-heralded energy transition initiatives are progressing at a far slower pace amid tariffs and investment uncertainty.

An aging MPV fleet is causing concerns for shippers and forwarders in a market where the fleet has limited capacity to accommodate cargo growth.

A squeeze on the talent pipeline for the MPV and heavy-lift sectors means that competition for crew and captains is set to intensify.

Breakbulk and project cargo industry stakeholders must take note of the far-reaching potential ramifications of the recently reintroduced US SHIPS Act, writes Associate Editor Carly Fields.

Ongoing market uncertainty is expected to upend rates as the breakbulk sector continues to digest tariff ramifications on the specialized sector.

MPV industry experts call for exemptions to US port taxes for China-built ships, stressing the lack of alternatives for specialist cargo carriage and the unfair burden on responsibility on the sector.

Freight rate declines coupled with ship supply and cargo demand worries are rippling through the MPV sector.

Engineering, procurement and construction companies are in a tailspin about the possible withdrawal of suitable ships for project cargoes if the US government’s port call proposal linked to Chinese tonnage is implemented.

While the breakbulk sector failed to capitalize on the forward loading of steel to get in front of US import tariffs, it now has bigger concerns with US proposals to penalize Chinese-made MPVs.

The threat of US tariffs, inflation, rising government borrowing and slower interest rate cuts are undermining cargo confidence in the US and beyond, according to benchmark indicators.

EPCs say that tariffs enforced after project costs are finalized not only impact the bottom line but in some cases destroy the viability of a project, hitting volumes in the breakbulk trade.

Increased orders and decreased recycling in 2024 helped capacity, but the volumes are still not where they need to be to balance the MPV fleet.

Steady-but-uninspiring demand for MPVs has kept freight rates at a sustainable level.

Minimal movements in industry indexes underline a constant demand for MPVs with capacity artificially reduced by Red Sea diversions.

Healthy demand for “sophisticated” multipurpose vessels is being undercut by a sluggish market for standard MPVs.