Communication and Collaboration Prove Key in a Dynamic Market
At Breakbulk Americas 2025 in Houston, Ben Collins, representing MSC, described a market both dynamic and demanding. Speaking with Leslie Meredith of Breakbulk Events and Media, he reflected on how congestion, communication, and collaboration continue to shape the breakbulk and project cargo landscape.
“Dynamic could be one word,” Collins said with a smile. “I don’t want to go as dramatic as chaos, but the congestion around the world is playing a huge part within the industry.”
From container to multipurpose carriers, the world’s main terminals—he noted—are feeling the strain. Ships waiting days at ports have become an all-too-familiar story. For a fleet the size of MSC’s, that means significant tonnage sitting idle. “If you have to wait three days at a port here, four days at a port there… that’s a lot of capacity tied up,” he explained.
Congestion Everywhere, Yet Optimism Persists
When asked whether congestion was isolated or global, Collins didn’t hesitate: “It’s everywhere—Americas, Europe, Asia.” Yet he was quick to balance this with optimism. “The overall state of the market is fairly positive,” he said. Projects delayed in recent years are “starting to come online,” while new discussions are “gathering momentum.”
This revival has been a bright spot for MSC’s dedicated project cargo division, a specialized vertical within the wider group. “It’s a team focused just on this sector,” Collins said. “We’re here to help manage the challenges—whether they’re port-related or geopolitical.”
The Power of Practical Partnership
So how do you navigate a landscape where no one can predict what’s next? For Collins, it’s all about partnership. “The biggest danger to progress is perfection,” he said. “If we keep waiting for all the stars to align, you’re going to get nothing done.”
Instead, MSC’s approach centers on open communication, shared understanding, and realistic planning. “You sit down, talk with your clients, understand their project needs, and even more importantly, their individual breakbulk cargo requirements,” he said. “That’s how you can present better options.”
The message was clear: in times of uncertainty, flexibility trumps perfection.
Looking Toward 2026: Cautious Optimism
When the conversation turned to what lies ahead, Collins didn’t make grand forecasts—but he didn’t hide his optimism either. “By nature, you have to be an optimist in this industry,” he said. “MSC doesn’t make many predictions because, at the end of the day, it’s the clients that drive the demand.”
Still, he admitted that what he’s hearing from across the sector gives reason to be hopeful. “Honestly, very bullish,” he said. “Hoping for a lot of growth. It will happen. It must.”
