Breakbulk shipping

Up-to-date breakbulk news and analysis about the end-to-end movement of breakbulk cargo and heavy lift and project cargoes. Coverage tracks breakbulk news about premier gateway ports, terminals, carriers and charterers. It also covers as well as wind cargo, roll-on/roll-off (ro/ro), newbuildings, storage and processing capacity, inland supply chain connectivity and landside transport for energy, infrastructure, construction and other industries.

Subsections

The latest Breakbulk shipping News & Analysis

Breakbulk23: Methanol has head start in MPV green fuel race

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Apr 24, 2023, 4:04 PM EDT

Breakbulk and project cargo carriers are likely to take their cue from container carriers before committing to building alternative fuel ships to meet aggressive carbon reduction mandates, experts say.

Breakbulk shippingBreakbulk carriersProject cargo

Breakbulk23: BIMCO executive wants cargo data added to CII carbon ratings

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Apr 21, 2023, 2:15 PM EDT

BIMCO’s head of Americas called for changes to the Carbon Intensity Indicator that would make the new regulation from the International Maritime Organization “fit for purpose.”

Transport, trade and regulationContainer shippingBreakbulk shipping

Breakbulk23: Changing trade, political dynamics demand ‘new pragmatism’

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Apr 20, 2023, 2:21 PM EDT

An advanced sense of “pragmatism” is needed for shippers and nations to cope with changes wrought by war and climate change, attendees at the Journal of Commerce’s Breakbulk & Project Cargo Conference were told.

Transport, trade and regulationContainer shippingBreakbulk shippingSupply Chain

MPV sentiment improves even as short-term demand softens

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor, and Susan Oatway, Research Analyst for Breakbulk and Project Cargo | Apr 17, 2023, 1:05 PM EDT

Multipurpose carrier analysts report short-term rate softening and a looser spot market, but there is confidence in longer-term energy and renewables demand.

Breakbulk shippingBreakbulk carriersProject cargo

Breakbulk volumes down sharply at Port Houston after 2022 ‘anomaly’

Autumn Cafiero Giusti, Special Correspondent | Apr 10, 2023, 8:00 AM EDT

Breakbulk volumes are normalizing at Houston after the market surge of 2022, while “spillover” containers have disappeared.

Breakbulk shippingProject cargoPorts

Global car carriers see mixed outlook after stellar 2022

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Apr 4, 2023, 1:56 PM EDT

Vehicle demand is expected to offset declining high-and-heavy volumes in 2023, according to car carriers.

Breakbulk shippingBreakbulk carriersRo/ro cargo

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

Costco exits ship chartering with $93 million charge

Michael Angell, Associate Editor | Dec 9, 2022, 5:54 PM EST

Peak supply chain congestion prompted major US retailers to charter their own ships, but Costco is now unwinding that bet.

ForwardingBreakbulk shipping

Long-term demand to steady MPV/HL fleet: analysts

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor, Breakbulk and Heavy Lift | Dec 8, 2022, 11:08 AM EST

The multipurpose/heavy-lift vessel sector is proving to be less volatile than the container and bulk sectors as the pandemic market normalizes, analysts say.

Breakbulk carriers

GPA building new container berths at Ocean Terminal in Savannah

Ari Ashe, Senior Editor | Dec 5, 2022, 1:18 PM EST

The Ocean Terminal project is part of a larger strategy by the GPA to expand the footprint in Savannah to handle bigger vessels and more containers.

North American portsBreakbulk shipping

Meeting Europe’s modal shift to rail will top $500 billion: study

Greg Knowler, Senior Europe Editor | Dec 5, 2022, 12:40 PM EST

Moving a significant share of Europe’s inland cargo from road to rail will be costly and challenging, but it is achievable through better utilization of door-to-door combined transport, a new report has found.

International railBreakbulk carriers

Intermarine partners with Thailand-based project specialist on new Asia JV

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Nov 28, 2022, 3:23 PM EST

US-based MPV operator Intermarine is expanding into Asia and Europe via a partnership with Thailand’s WeShip.

Breakbulk carriers

Drought-stricken Mississippi disrupts northbound breakbulk cargo

Mark Szakonyi, Executive Editor | Nov 22, 2022, 12:18 PM EST

Drought is keeping the Mississippi River at historically low water levels, tying up barge capacity and extending the southbound grain season.

Project cargo

Breakbulk reefers positioned to weather downturn

Richard Bright, JOC analyst | Nov 15, 2022, 9:45 AM EST

As evidenced over the past chaotic 24 months, dry cargo demand and the supply of reefer equipment are more intimately linked than it might first appear.

Breakbulk shipping

Booming heavy transport demand driving new project partnerships

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Nov 14, 2022, 11:30 AM EST

Engineered transport providers are gearing up for heavy demand as an energy buildout in both renewable and oil and gas sectors gains strength.

Breakbulk shipping

Pent-up demand to fuel project logistics volumes into 2024

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor, Breakbulk and Heavy Lift | Nov 14, 2022, 9:40 AM EST

Two years of pandemic-related oil and gas project delays and cutbacks in global supply due to the Russia-Ukraine war are driving demand for project logistics services in the short and long term.

Breakbulk shippingProject cargoEnergy projects

Lack of infrastructure could stymie global, US wind energy targets

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor, Breakbulk and Heavy Lift | Nov 11, 2022, 9:30 AM EST

Bottlenecks and a lack of needed infrastructure may put the “aspirational” global offshore wind installation schedule out of reach, an analyst says.

Breakbulk shippingEnergy projectsProject cargo

MPV rates decline as market chaos unwinds

Janet Nodar, Senior Editor, Breakbulk and Heavy Lift | Nov 10, 2022, 1:15 PM EST

Confident of project demand ahead, the multipurpose vessel sector sees November’s softening rates as a move toward stability, analysts say.

Breakbulk shipping

Demand for heavy-lift air transport outstrips supply

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Oct 31, 2022, 5:42 PM EDT

Sanctions against Russia have sharply reduced available heavy-lift air tonnage even as energy sector demand escalates.

Heavy-haul transportAirports

Grimaldi Group orders up to 10 vessels to carry electric vehicles

Keith Wallis, Special Correspondent | Oct 28, 2022, 10:30 AM EDT

The new ships ordered by the Grimaldi Group, designed for carrying electric vehicles, will burn 50 percent less fuel than earlier car carriers.

Ro/ro cargo

Shippeo investment a sign that visibility not yet a winner-takes-all market

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Oct 25, 2022, 3:30 PM EDT

A funding round into Shippeo shows that demand for visibility and fragmentation of the market continue to grow despite a slowing venture capital environment.

Logistics technologyBreakbulk shipping