Hey there, folks! I just got back from the Breakbulk Europe event in Rotterdam, and boy, do I have some insights to share. The event, which took place from May 13 to 15, brought together some of the most brilliant minds in logistics, port operations, and industry associations to discuss the challenges facing Europe’s cargo infrastructure.
The big takeaway? Bureaucracy is a real headache. Łukasz Chwalczuk, president of the Polish Heavy Transport Employers Association, put it bluntly: “When it comes to heavy-lift, there is no union in Europe.” And he’s spot on. The lack of harmonized digital systems for permits is making life difficult, with Parisa Kaveh of Nostrac Shipping highlighting the long, tedious process of dealing with multiple governments.
But it’s not just about permits. Mauro Varela Armas from Técnicas Reunidas talked about the uncertainty and unforeseen problems that pop up due to the system’s complexity. And Edi Cioran of DP World Antwerp reminded us that we’re dealing with aging infrastructure, with ports that were once focused on developing container capacity now struggling to meet the growing demand for breakbulk.
The energy sector, especially renewables, is calling for more breakbulk capacity and availability. But as Kasper Heiselberg of deugro pointed out, the current fleet just isn’t equipped to handle the volume and scale required for offshore wind components. And with global political uncertainty, long-term project commitments are hard to come by, making it tough to justify investment in new assets.
But there’s light at the end of the tunnel. The European Commission is working on a directive focusing on cooperation between member states and digitalization, aiming for harmonization and a one-stop shop for permitting. And as Carsten Wendt of Wallenius Wilhelmsen noted, the demand for energy continues to grow, with data centers consuming a staggering amount of electricity.
The consensus among the panelists was clear: investment is needed now, as the market is only set to grow. And as Christian Ohlrich of Fluence mentioned, much of the investment in energy generation comes from private equity. But if private equity investors can’t use their assets efficiently, they may start scaling back investments and looking for alternative opportunities.
The industry is at a crossroads, and strategic collaboration is no longer optional – it’s a necessity. As Tim Killen of Fracht Group put it, “Uncertainty, disruption, and tariffs” define the operating environment for project cargo in 2025. And as Ruediger Fromm of Siemens Energy Global highlighted, the sector’s evolving demands require strategic partners and data analytics support.
The Breakbulk Europe event was a stark reminder of the challenges facing Europe’s cargo infrastructure. But it was also a testament to the resilience and adaptability of the industry. And as Andrew Young of Bechtel Global Logistics noted, “Quality, safety, and surety of delivery” are what we need to concentrate on. The road ahead may be bumpy, but with collaboration and investment, we can navigate the challenges and build a more efficient, sustainable future for Europe’s cargo infrastructure.
