** Voices of Breakbulk Americas, sponsored by Logiswift **

In this latest episode of Voices of Breakbulk Americas, we meet Dennis Devlin, managing director of DT Project America, for a candid conversation on tariffs, trade, and the realities of today’s project logistics market.

With a career spanning DB Schenker, BDP, and leadership roles across Asia and the U.S., Dennis brings both global perspective and sharp opinions. He explains why he believes tariffs are “ridiculous” - costly to consumers, damaging to jobs, and disruptive for project logistics - while also recognizing where limited, strategic use can make sense.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why Dennis thinks tariffs don’t deliver the benefits promised

• Real-world examples of projects hit with millions in unexpected duties

• The global career path that took him from the U.S. to Shanghai, and why China still holds a special place for him

• His new role at DT Project America, which combines domestic trucking, warehousing and international forwarding under one roof

• Where Dennis sees growth opportunities, from nuclear to renewables

• Why Breakbulk Americas has been a cornerstone of his professional network for decades

Key Highlights:

• Building a career across Schenker, BDP, Pan Projects and now DT Project America

• First-hand views of how tariffs ripple through supply chains and consumer prices

• Insights into the enduring role of project forwarders, even as shippers deal directly with carriers

• Networking, learning, and industry trends to watch at the upcoming 35th anniversary of Breakbulk Americas

This episode is part of our special Voices of Breakbulk Americas series, celebrating 35 years of the industry’s premier event. Register now for Breakbulk Americas, September 30 – October 2 in Houston: https://americas.breakbulk.com/

About Logiswift

Logiswift makes your operations faster and simpler — managing the entire cargo lifecycle in one smart platform. With real end-to-end visibility, you can adapt quickly when things change. Built for project cargo, it’s now even more powerful with its new AI feature.

👉 Visit https://www.logiswift.com/

** Voices of Breakbulk Americas, sponsored by Logiswift **

In this episode of Project Cargo Professionals, host Luke King sits down with Jake Swanson, Regional Vice President, Americas, at DHL Industrial Projects, to explore how the project cargo landscape is shifting as unexpected new players enter the market.

Jake reveals how companies like Meta, Microsoft, and Amazon—once seen as far removed from industrial projects—are now investing heavily in capital projects such as semiconductor fabs, data centers, and large-scale battery storage facilities. These developments are creating fresh opportunities and reshaping supply chains across the Americas.

From his early career at sea and time with EPCs and carriers, to his leadership role today at DHL, Jake shares insights on:

·      Why big tech is now a project cargo customer—and what that means for the industry.

·      Where DHL sees the most exciting growth, from mining in South America to nearshoring in Mexico.

·      How trade policy, tariffs, and the talent gap are influencing project execution.

·      DHL’s “Next Gen IP” training program and the role of innovation centers in delivering solutions.

Whether you’re a shipper, forwarder, or carrier, this conversation highlights the next wave of customers set to define the project logistics market.

This episode is part of our special Voices of Breakbulk Americas series, celebrating 35 years of the industry's premier event. Register now for Breakbulk Americas, September 30 - October 2 in Houston. https://americas.breakbulk.com/

About Logiswift

Logiswift makes your operations faster and simpler — managing the entire cargo lifecycle in one smart platform. With real end-to-end visibility, you can adapt quickly when things change. Built for project cargo, it’s now even more powerful with its new AI feature. 👉 Visit https://www.logiswift.com/

** Voices of Breakbulk Americas, sponsored by Logiswift **

In this first episode of Voices of Breakbulk Americas, we head to Columbus, Ohio to sit down with Stephen "Spo" Spoljaric, recently named Bechtel Fellow for Supply Chain Logistics - the first person to hold this prestigious title in his field.

Fresh from relocating his family to Ohio for a major semiconductor project, Spo shares his remarkable journey from college intern at a trucking company to becoming one of the industry's most respected logistics leaders.

What You'll Learn:

• How a chance meeting with a Jesuit priest launched a logistics career

• The "Three Cs" that define successful logistics professionals: Capable, Commercial awareness, and Communication

• Why Ohio is becoming the "Silicon Heartland" and what it means for project cargo

• Insights into Bechtel's "engineered logistics" approach and how they're integrating with engineering from day one

• The evolving role of freight forwarders and LSPs in an AI-driven world

• How the SHIPS Act could transform American maritime logistics

• Why logistics is ultimately a support function - and why that matters

Key Highlights:

• Moving from corporate logistics manager during the pandemic to program management

• The importance of university partnerships and developing the next generation of logistics talent

• Balancing 24/7 connectivity with mental health in our always-on industry

• What to expect at the upcoming 35th anniversary of Breakbulk Americas

Spo also shares candid advice for early-career professionals, discusses the value of taking calculated risks, and explains why sometimes the best call during a disaster shipment isn't to another logistics expert.

Whether you're just starting out in project cargo or you're a seasoned professional, this conversation offers valuable insights into where our industry is heading and how to build a meaningful career in logistics.

This episode is part of our special Voices of Breakbulk Americas series, celebrating 35 years of the industry's premier event. Register now for Breakbulk Americas, September 30 - October 2 in Houston. https://americas.breakbulk.com/

About Logiswift

Logiswift makes your operations faster and simpler — managing the entire cargo lifecycle in one smart platform. With real end-to-end visibility, you can adapt quickly when things change. Built for project cargo, it’s now even more powerful with its new AI feature.

👉 Visit https://www.logiswift.com/

What’s a Danish shipping veteran doing in Mozambique? A lot, it turns out.

In this episode of Project Cargo Professionals, I sit down with Thomas Vestergaard, CEO and founding partner of UPF Group, to hear how he’s built a growing logistics network across Africa—from Maputo to Luanda, from Douala to Dar es Salaam.

We discuss:

·      The massive LNG projects transforming northern Mozambique

·      Why Thomas believes doing business in Africa is like “stepping back in time—in a good way”

·      Building ultra-lean offices that empower local teams

·      Making logistics personal, and why grabbing a coffee or lunch with a client might still be your best sales tool

·      His expansion strategy across southern and eastern Africa—and why trust is the real currency

·      How UPF is supporting forwarders in high-stakes environments like Pemba and Palma

·      Why Peter Jensen of Maersk Project Logistics gets his vote for a future guest

It’s a candid conversation about entrepreneurship, culture, and opportunity in a continent with unlimited potential.

Enjoy the episode—and don’t forget to subscribe for more stories from the front lines of project cargo.

For more content, visit Project Cargo Professionals.

🌎 Supported by The Heavy Lift Group, our Association Partner

Founded in 1987, The Heavy Lift Group is an international network of companies specializing in heavy lift and project cargo operations. Its 70+ members offer combined know-how, skills, experience and innovation to manage transportation needs of any scale, including the largest and most complex multimodal projects. As a quality-driven group, each member is carefully selected to ensure the highest standards of professionalism, reliability, and expertise across the network. THLG unites a diverse range of industry specialists—including cargo aircraft operators, specialized hauliers and crane operators, equipment and technology manufacturers, as well as freight forwarders, ship brokers and vessel owners. #PowerinUnity

This week on Project Cargo Professionals, we head to Kolkata, India, to speak with Nilesh Sinha, Director of Procam Group and a member of The Heavy Lift Group, our Association Partner.

With more than 15 years in the business, Nilesh offers a candid view of what it takes to operate in India’s fast-evolving project logistics sector. He explains why succeeding here requires not only technical skill, but the mindset of a philosopher — and the patience of a psychologist.

From the challenge of balancing timelines and client expectations, to the ongoing modernisation of India’s ports and hinterland infrastructure, this episode explores the complexity and opportunity of working in the world’s most populous democracy.

🎧 In this episode:

• Why logistics in India is often a test of temperament as much as skill
• The current state of infrastructure and digitalisation
• The potential for large-scale heavy lift barge operations in India
• Why transparency, process and people are more important than price
• How Procam approaches partnerships with both global and local players
• What Nilesh believes international clients often misread about India
• And why — when it works — the impact is visible in the lives of everyday citizens

For more content, visit Project Cargo Professionals.

🌎 Supported by The Heavy Lift Group, our Association Partner

Founded in 1987, The Heavy Lift Group is an international network of companies specializing in heavy lift and project cargo operations. Its 70+ members offer combined know-how, skills, experience and innovation to manage transportation needs of any scale, including the largest and most complex multimodal projects. As a quality-driven group, each member is carefully selected to ensure the highest standards of professionalism, reliability, and expertise across the network. THLG unites a diverse range of industry specialists—including cargo aircraft operators, specialized hauliers and crane operators, equipment and technology manufacturers, as well as freight forwarders, ship brokers and vessel owners. #PowerinUnity

In this episode of Project Cargo Professionals, host Luke King goes Down Under to talk to Frank O Mueller—better known in the industry as "FOM"—to explore his journey from Hamburg to Brisbane and his 25-year career with AAL Shipping. From surviving Brisbane’s muggy summers to steering a multipurpose fleet through global disruption, Frank offers insights into leadership, customer trust, and the thinking behind AAL’s new Super B-Class vessels.

You’ll hear why AAL chose to stick with its liner service during the COVID-19 pandemic while others pivoted and how their in-house engineering team designed new ships to meet oversized cargo challenges. Whether you're moving 50 tons of steel or building a future-proof fleet, this conversation highlights the role of long-term thinking, customer relationships and the importance of trust in the project cargo world.

🚢 Topics Covered:

·      The origins of the “FOM” nickname and why it stuck

·      Life in Brisbane and AAL’s decision to base there

·      Lessons from sticking to trade lanes during COVID

·      The story behind AAL’s new Super B-Class ships

·      Designing vessels with wind blades, barges, and open-hold operations in mind

·      The complex path to decarbonising shipping

·      Why trust and transparency still matter in a digital world

·      Frank’s leadership style—and his career highlight

For more content, visit Project Cargo Professionals.

🌎 Supported by The Heavy Lift Group, our Association Partner

Founded in 1987, The Heavy Lift Group is an international network of companies specializing in heavy lift and project cargo operations. Its 70+ members offer combined know-how, skills, experience and innovation to manage transportation needs of any scale, including the largest and most complex multimodal projects. As a quality-driven group, each member is carefully selected to ensure the highest standards of professionalism, reliability, and expertise across the network. THLG unites a diverse range of industry specialists—including cargo aircraft operators, specialized hauliers and crane operators, equipment and technology manufacturers, as well as freight forwarders, ship brokers and vessel owners. #PowerinUnity

Recorded in Basel, Switzerland, this episode features Sandro Lepori, Director of Industrial Projects at Fracht, and a longtime logistics leader with former roles at ABB and Alstom.

Known for his understated style and extensive industry experience, Sandro reflects on a career at the heart of major global projects — and the lessons he’s learned about leadership, planning, and the power of respecting your team.

In this episode:

·      Why logistics is still underestimated by procurement and engineering teams

·      The case for putting quality ahead of cost

·      Building trust with service providers

·      What true leadership looks like in the field

This is a rare conversation with one of the industry's most quietly respected figures.

For more content, visit Project Cargo Professionals.

🚢 Powered by Varamar 🚢

Varamar Shipping specializes in bulk, breakbulk, heavy-lift, and oversized shipments, and is a trusted carrier to and from Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. At Varamar, massive structures like wind turbines or entire factories are a day-to-day business and, as a semi-liner carrier, they can offer tailor-made solutions, calling wherever and whenever you need them to. 

With offices in 13 countries, including recent openings in Asia, they’re bridging the East-West gap. A multilingual team fluent in languages from English and German to Arabic and Chinese means communication is seamless.

In this episode of Project Cargo Professionals, we speak with our first shipper guest — Agustin Harriague, Vice President of Logistics at Mitsubishi Power Americas.

From 600-metric-ton gas turbines to last-minute site changes, Agustin knows what it takes to deliver in the complex world of power generation logistics. His message to logistics service providers is clear: stop trying to do it all.

We talk about:

·      The danger of pretending you can handle every project

·      What shippers actually want from forwarders and heavy haulers

·      Why he values creativity and transparency over big claims

·      Mentoring the next generation of logistics professionals

·      Making project logistics more attractive in the age of AI and TikTok

·      How a sabbatical year changed his career path forever

Whether you're a seasoned forwarder or just entering the world of project cargo, this one is packed with valuable insight from the client perspective.

For more content, visit Project Cargo Professionals.

🚢 Powered by Varamar 🚢

Varamar Shipping specializes in bulk, breakbulk, heavy-lift, and oversized shipments, and is a trusted carrier to and from Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. At Varamar, massive structures like wind turbines or entire factories are a day-to-day business and, as a semi-liner carrier, they can offer tailor-made solutions, calling wherever and whenever you need them to. 

With offices in 13 countries, including recent openings in Asia, they’re bridging the East-West gap. A multilingual team fluent in languages from English and German to Arabic and Chinese means communication is seamless.

Elisabeth Cosmatos didn’t just inherit a logistics company — she re-invented it.

In this episode of Project Cargo Professionals, recorded in Thessaloniki, Greece, we speak with the CEO of Cosmatos Group and President of The Heavy Lift Group (THLG). From juggling NATO calls in her first job to steering the business into project cargo and heavy lift, Elisabeth shares how language, adaptability, and persistence helped her take the company to the next level.

We discuss:

·      Why speaking English landed her on the frontlines of military logistics

·      How she built Cosmatos’ reputation in project cargo

·      The cultural dynamics of leading in Greece

·      How woman can succeed in a male-dominated industry like logistics

·      What it takes to keep a global network like THLG thriving

This is a story about planning beyond the plan, getting on with the work, and trusting your voice.

00:58 Meet Elizabeth Cosmatos

01:39 Exploring Thessaloniki

03:35 Greek Cuisine and Culture

07:58 Thessaloniki Port and Its Importance

13:00 Challenges and Changes in Project Cargo

15:19 Greece's Economic Recovery

19:06 Family Business Dynamics

34:00 Gender Bias in the Industry

40:26 The Heavy Lift Group

For more content, visit Project Cargo Professionals.

🚢 Powered by Varamar 🚢

Varamar Shipping specializes in bulk, breakbulk, heavy-lift, and oversized shipments, and is a trusted carrier to and from Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. At Varamar, massive structures like wind turbines or entire factories are a day-to-day business and, as a semi-liner carrier, they can offer tailor-made solutions, calling wherever and whenever you need them to. With offices in 13 countries, including recent openings in Asia, they’re bridging the East-West gap. A multilingual team fluent in languages from English and German to Arabic and Chinese means communication is seamless.

With over 40 years in the freight business and two company exits under his belt, Bo Drewsen has seen the logistics industry from just about every angle — and he's not done yet.

In this episode of Project Cargo Professionals, Bo joins host Luke King for a candid conversation on what it takes to scale a project freight company, sell it successfully, and then start again — this time with a different mission. Now the founder of two freight forwarding networks, CLC Projects and Cross Ocean, Bo is connecting independent forwarders around the world while keeping a sharp eye on the state of the shipping industry.

From landing a 600 flat-rack deal against global giants to riding container ships as a passenger, Bo shares real lessons about trust, timing, and the personal toll this business can take.

🎙️ Topics Covered:

• Bo’s early days in Aarhus (and why he almost became a journalist)
• Founding Martin Bencher and winning big in China
• The post-exit pause — and what it taught him
• Why he built two global networks (and how they really work)
• The threat to independent forwarders from carriers and credit-heavy tenders
• Bo’s no-BS advice to anyone trying to build in freight

00:00 Introduction to Customer Service

00:10 Meet Bo Drewsen: Career Overview

01:01 Early Career and Martin Bencher Formation

04:23 Scaling Martin Bencher

06:25 Challenges and Successes

08:53 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

13:45 The Network Era

19:13 Reflections and Future Outlook

29:00 Closing Remarks

For more content, visit Project Cargo Professionals.

🚢 Powered by Varamar 🚢

Varamar Shipping specializes in bulk, breakbulk, heavy-lift, and oversized shipments, and is a trusted carrier to and from Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. At Varamar, massive structures like wind turbines or entire factories are a day-to-day business and, as a semi-liner carrier, they can offer tailor-made solutions, calling wherever and whenever you need them to. With offices in 13 countries, including recent openings in Asia, they’re bridging the East-West gap. A multilingual team fluent in languages from English and German to Arabic and Chinese means communication is seamless.