Blue Bell Shipping (BBS) set its roots in Dubai with a simple yet powerful slogan – ‘Small enough to care, big enough to perform.’ Over the years, this boutique project freight forwarder has not only upheld its commitment but has also strategically expanded its reach, transforming into a prominent international player in project logistics.
International Presence and Recognition
BBS has successfully harnessed its relationships and earned reputation with Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) firms, Oilfield Operators, and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) in the UAE. This foundation allowed them to sprout into a global entity with 13 offices scattered across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Turkey, Kazakhstan, the UK, and the USA.
This expansion culminated in a noteworthy achievement at the London Heavy Lift Awards Ceremony in October, where BBS clinched the prestigious Airfreight Solution of the Year award, outshining formidable competitors in the project cargo domain.
Strategic Asset Investments
BBS has not merely relied on its relationships and reputation but has invested significantly in assets to provide clients with a competitive edge. The company boasts an extensive network of warehouses, supply bases, and logistics distribution centers in the Middle East and Turkey. The sight of BBS trucks and vehicles has become a common occurrence in the UAE, with plans underway to extend their footprint in KSA, Bahrain, and Turkey.
Expanding Service Offerings
As BBS’s client base expands across new territories, the company has adapted by diversifying its service offerings. In addition to standard freight forwarding and third-party logistics (3PL) services, BBS features an in-house transport engineering department. This department specializes in lifting studies, drawings, method statements, and logistics feasibility plans. Moreover, BBS has developed its set of supply base operating procedures, along with a dedicated team for the erection, maintenance, and management of supply bases in remote areas. These endeavors are crucial in supporting on-site work and providing console services to destinations like Iraq.
Reflections from BBS’s Commercial Manager
Aditya Menon, the Commercial Manager at BBS, shared insights into the company’s transformative journey. “It’s been a rollercoaster couple of years for the company,” Menon stated. “The challenges we face today across 7 countries and our 13 branches are totally different from a few years ago where everything was local! There have certainly been growing pains and doubts, but these have all been good problems to have, and our team is extremely proud of how far we have come. We hope to continue this trajectory and have plans to consolidate some of our existing locations and still yet expand into a few more markets. I truly believe the BBS service level is unrivaled, and we are getting similar feedback from the market/our clients. This has been pivotal to our successful expansion.”
Breakbulk Middle East Sponsorship
To further strengthen their industry presence, BBS is set to sponsor and exhibit at Breakbulk Middle East in Dubai on February 12–13. The team eagerly anticipates welcoming interested parties to their stall, showcasing the capabilities of a company that has evolved from a local specialist to a global project logistics powerhouse.
