Record-High Order Backlogs Reshape the EPC Landscape
The Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) sector is seeing unprecedented growth, with major firms reporting record-breaking order backlogs. This surge is not just good news for the construction industry—it also marks a turning point for project logistics and breakbulk shipping, as the demand for oversized and heavy-lift cargo movements is set to increase significantly.
Leading the industry, Saipem secured an €18.8 billion order intake in 2024, pushing its backlog to a record €34 billion. The company credits this expansion to large-scale energy and infrastructure projects, many of which will require complex logistics solutions to move heavy equipment, modules, and construction materials across global supply chains.
Meanwhile, analysis from ICRA shows that a sample set of EPC firms maintained a stable order book-to-sales ratio of 3.3x as of March 2024, indicating steady revenue growth. This stability ensures long-term project commitments, which in turn will drive sustained demand for specialized transport solutions, heavy-lift shipping, and multimodal logistics.
More Projects, More Cargo: A Breakbulk Surge on the Horizon
The global EPC market is experiencing steady expansion, with its compound annual growth rate (CAGR) rising and market size reaching significant levels in 2025. This growth directly impacts the breakbulk and project logistics sector, as major infrastructure projects require customized shipping solutions to transport oversized cargo, including turbines, reactors, pipelines, and construction modules.
Further fueling expectations, construction planning activity jumped 26% at the start of 2025, signaling increased spending and more contract awards in the second half of the year. This upswing means higher demand for heavy-lift vessels, RoRo carriers, and specialized logistics providers who can handle the unique challenges of project cargo transport.
The Future of Project Logistics and Breakbulk in an Expanding EPC Market
As government-backed infrastructure initiatives and private-sector investments continue to rise, EPC firms are diversifying into new markets, including renewable energy, offshore projects, and large-scale industrial developments. Each of these sectors relies heavily on efficient project logistics, requiring port operators, freight forwarders, and specialized carriers to step up capacity planning and optimize global supply chain routes.
With EPC companies securing long-term contracts, the breakbulk shipping sector will play a critical role in ensuring project timelines are met. Strategic partnerships between logistics providers, vessel operators, and EPC firms will be essential to handle the increasing volume of oversized shipments and maintain efficiency across supply chains.
Despite potential challenges such as port congestion, rising freight costs, and supply chain disruptions, the sector appears well-positioned to capitalize on this growth. The combination of record-high order backlogs and a surge in infrastructure projects means that project logistics and breakbulk operators are gearing up for a busy and highly profitable future.
