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Breakbulk shipping

News and analysis of ocean transportation of breakbulk, heavy-lift, and project cargo

The latest Breakbulk shipping News & Analysis

Owner puts heavy-lift giant Mammoet up for sale

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Mar 24, 2023, 2:46 PM EDT

Dutch conglomerate SHV’s planned divestment of Mammoet, the world’s largest heavy-lift and engineered transport company, could have a “very important impact” on the sector, according to one consultant.
Breakbulk shippingHeavy-haul transport

MPV carrier Swire Projects eyes growth in Australian project market

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Mar 22, 2023, 10:46 AM EDT

New operator Swire is growing its fleet and gearing up to move cargo for the busy Australian minerals and energy markets.
Breakbulk shippingBreakbulk carriersProject cargo

New IMO rules muddying vessel strategy for MPV, heavy-lift owners

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor, Breakbulk and Heavy Lift | Mar 21, 2023, 11:20 AM EDT

MPV and heavy-lift vessel owners need clarity on emissions, alternative fuels, and regulations before committing to new vessel schemes.
Breakbulk shippingBreakbulk carriersProject cargo

Proactive approach to ISPM 15 progressing despite roadblocks

Autumn Cafiero Giusti, Special Correspondent | Mar 21, 2023, 9:10 AM EDT

Breakbulk shippers and logistics providers have several proposals for changes to ISPM 15 mitigation and enforcement measures pending approval from the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
Breakbulk shippingBreakbulk portsTransport, trade and regulation

Heavy-deck demand faltering, but long-term outlook remains strong

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Mar 20, 2023, 10:40 AM EDT

Despite a temporary lull, heavy-deck carriers and industry analysts see a “mind-boggling” outlook for global offshore wind demand.
Breakbulk shippingBreakbulk carriersProject cargoEnergy projects

New IMO rule at odds with practical realities: breakbulk executives

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor, Breakbulk and Heavy Lift, and Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Mar 17, 2023, 3:50 PM EDT

Breakbulk industry executives warn new rules aimed at reducing vessel emissions could incentivize vessel operators to implement measures that increase emissions in other areas of the supply chain.
Breakbulk shippingBreakbulk carriersTransport, trade and regulation

Multipurpose vessel rates may be at post-COVID bottom: Toepfer

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor, Breakbulk and Heavy Lift | Mar 10, 2023, 12:35 PM EST

The MPV sector’s market correction appears to have bottomed at rates still healthy for owners and carriers, even as the sector feels pressure from minor bulk carriers hunting for cargo.
Breakbulk shippingBreakbulk carriers

Breakbulk sector ‘sitting on structural overcapacity’: Dynamar

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor, Breakbulk and Heavy Lift | Mar 2, 2023, 12:02 PM EST

While market indicators such as relatively high charter rates and a strong demand outlook are promising, the Netherlands-based maritime consultancy says the stability of the breakbulk market is by no means guaranteed.
Breakbulk shippingBreakbulk carriers

EPCs look beyond traditional oil and gas for growth opportunities

Autumn Cafiero Giusti, Special Correspondent  | Mar 1, 2023, 1:50 PM EST

EPC projects drive much of the global demand for project and breakbulk logistics services from carriers, forwarders, and other suppliers.
Breakbulk shippingProject cargoEnergy projectsHeavy-haul transport

US flatbed trucking activity sees early regional revival: DAT

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Feb 15, 2023, 5:06 PM EST

Demand for flatbed tractor-trailers is rising along the Gulf Coast and Southeast, buoyed by project cargo, shifting freight patterns, and a warmer-than-normal winter, DAT Freight & Analytics says.
SurfaceProject cargoTruckingFlatbed

MPV sector slows as rebalancing under way after ‘rush’ of pandemic market

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor, Breakbulk and Heavy Lift | Feb 13, 2023, 4:37 PM EST

Short-term uncertainty and longer-term confidence are the multipurpose sector’s new normal, analysts say, after the extreme volatility of the COVID-driven market.
Breakbulk shippingBreakbulk carriersProject cargo

Ro/ro executive Batista joins GPA as port gears up for expansion

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor, Breakbulk and Heavy Lift | Jan 30, 2023, 3:22 PM EST

A long-time ro/ro executive with Wallenius Wilhelmsen will shift his focus to container BCOs in a new position with the Georgia Ports Authority.
Breakbulk shippingRo/ro cargo

Project cargo outlook brightening for Port of New Orleans

Autumn Cafiero Giusti, Special Correspondent | Jan 27, 2023, 10:49 AM EST

Even as breakbulk volumes ebb from their pandemic highs, several mega-projects planned for South Louisiana are expected to keep project cargo moving at the Port of New Orleans.
North American portsBreakbulk shippingProject cargoEnergy projects

Port of South Louisiana buys Avondale terminal as wind cargo boost looms

Autumn Cafiero Giusti, Special Correspondent | Jan 18, 2023, 2:46 PM EST

The acquisition of Avondale by the port comes just as the state of Louisiana readies to auction its first round of offshore wind leases.
Breakbulk shippingProject cargoEnergy projectsNorth American portsBreakbulk ports

Lack of space costing Zeebrugge new ro/ro clients: port

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Jan 17, 2023, 10:25 AM EST

Zeebrugge’s ro/ro traffic rose 6.5 percent in 2022, even as congestion and tight capacity constrained potential growth.
Breakbulk shippingRo/ro cargo

MPV rates slump as breakbulk moves back to container sector

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor | Jan 13, 2023, 3:22 PM EST

Despite a decline in daily charter rates, the longer-term MPV outlook remains strong due to increased investments in oil and gas and renewables projects.
Breakbulk shippingBreakbulk carriers

Plenty of work in the pipeline for breakbulk carriers, but rates uncertain

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor, Breakbulk and Heavy Lift | Jan 3, 2023, 3:38 PM EST

Project and breakbulk carriers and logistics service providers have a healthy to-do list of energy-related cargo projects ahead of them; now the question is whether rates and availability will return to pre-pandemic levels.
Breakbulk shippingBreakbulk carriersProject cargoEnergy projects

Regulatory support missing in drive to scale up green fuel: Ørsted

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Dec 20, 2022, 9:31 AM EST

Danish power company Ørsted says policymakers must provide a regulatory environment that allows companies to commit to the huge investment required in developing shipping’s fuel of the future.
Container shippingContainer linesTrans-PacificAsia-EuropeEnergy projects

Car carriers enjoying ‘exceptional conditions’: Clarksons

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor | Dec 16, 2022, 4:31 PM EST

Longer voyages, high demand, and tight capacity are boosting earnings and charter rates in the global car carrier segment.
Breakbulk shippingRo/ro cargo

US offshore wind push runs into bureaucracy, investment headwinds

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor, Breakbulk and Heavy Lift | Dec 12, 2022, 2:54 PM EST

Ambitious plans to build offshore wind off the coast of the United States has run up against permitting bottlenecks and a lack of investment.
Breakbulk shippingEnergy projects