From the magazine
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NewsSouth Korea: an Asian powerhouse at the crossroads
South Korean manufacturers are having to adapt to a world of lower-cost competition, forcing project logisticians and multipurpose shipping lines to take stock. However, there are still opportunities as the coal-dependent nation redraws its energy mix. Chris Lewis reports.
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NewsProject Cargo Africa: a roadmap to future growth
Raw materials exports, many of which are essential to the global energy transition, underpin many African economies and continue to generate project logistics activity. Turbulence in Europe has benefitted the continent too, writes Megan Ramsay.
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ArticleAfrica’s multipurpose operators face regional challenges
Multipurpose carriers active on Africa’s Eastern and Western seaboards face distinctive challenges, the former having had to adopt a wait-and-see approach relating to delayed LNG projects that will generate large-scale project work, the latter facing significant competition from the container shipping business.
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NewsSouth American project logistics markets keeps its feet amid volatility
HLPFI’s last South America project logistics report suggested that 2023 would be a more stable year. That proved to be somewhat over-optimistic – but the community is keeping its feet amid turbulent currents, writes Megan Ramsay.
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NewsHLPFI meets: Eduardo Davila
“Your company is the first thing. It goes before your wife, it goes before your family, because it is so demanding. When your company is calling you, you cannot attend to anything else. At least that has been my way and my family have fortunately understood this.” Eduardo Davila, president of Joaquin Davila & Cie, spoke on his storied journey to Justin Archard.
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ArticleGuyana’s star rises against challenging backdrop
The Caribbean’s project logistics market is proving something of laggard, with an economic slowdown and cost inflation eroding confidence and delaying projects. A revitalised tourism industry should help to shore up government coffers, while the oil and gas sector continues to gather momentum. Ian Putzger reports.
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Article‘France Relance’ and sustainable ambitions drive project logistics activity
Wind energy continues to be the order of the day for France’s project logistics and heavy lift sector. The country’s policy on renewable power sources is driving increasing investment in both projects and supporting infrastructure, with floating offshore wind projects in the spotlight. Megan Ramsay reports.
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ArticleHLPFI meets: Kyriacos Panayides
Justin Archard sits down with Kyriacos Panayides, a ubiquitous presence in the multipurpose and heavy lift shipping business and architect of one of the sector’s success stories, AAL Shipping.
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NewsEarly engagement crucial to hydrogen industry growth
While large-scale hydrogen projects are increasingly being planned, there are mixed views about the speed and extent at which hydrogen will create work for the project logistics sector. Phil Hastings reports.
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NewsSurging LNG demand likely to be short-term benefit for project logistics sector
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and subsequent substantial cuts in natural gas exports prompted an immediate surge of international interest in LNG and demand for related new production capacity and import/export facilities. However, that uptick could be a flash in the pan rather than indicative of long-term shift, writes Phil Hastings.
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NewsEnergy transition to squeeze project logistics capacity
Future downstream oil and gas industry investment is likely to be increasingly focused on sectors like hydrogen, biofuels and petrochemical production to support the energy transition, alongside traditional oil refining and liquefied natural gas (LNG) activities. The resultant increase in project logistics and heavy lift demand will put further pressure on logisticians. Phil Hastings reports.
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NewsHarnessing the Baltic’s power potential
Project logistics in the Baltic region is mostly concentrated on local or joint European infrastructure and energy projects – with self-sufficiency top of the agenda, writes Megan Ramsay.
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NewsBoosting capacity and raising standards in Africa
There has been a notable uptick in project logistics activity in Africa, driven by rising demand for minerals, metals and energy. However, there is a pressing need to improve standards. Carriers, meanwhile, are boosting capacity. David Kershaw reports.
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NewsAlternatives for project cargo moves in the Caspian States and Central Asia
The rugged terrain and infrastructure limitations of Central Asia present unique challenges for heavy and project cargo transportation – and the geopolitical tensions currently affecting the region are adding a further layer of complexity, writes Megan Ramsay.
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NewsStricken Argentina bargains on regaining control of trade terms
In early July, Argentina hosted the Mercosur summit where trade negotiations with the EU were central to the agenda. But, of course, the current turmoil facing the Argentine economy could not be overlooked.
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NewsWinds of change ripple across Brazil’s project logistics market
There is a clear consensus regarding Brazil’s project logistics potential on the global stage – but its political and economic uncertainties cannot be ignored. Nor can the changing dynamics among other large economies, writes Megan Ramsay.
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NewsHLPFI meets: Captain Wout van der Zwan
Captain Wout van der Zwan, a director at BigLift and regarded by many as one of the most influential men in heavy lift shipping, is set to retire next year. Justin Archard caught up with him to discuss a career spent at the forefront of heavy lift evolution.
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NewsRo-ro operators capitalise in tight market
Demand for ro-ros has surged over the past 18 months with rates hitting record levels. Operators are relishing prospects in the years ahead, writes David Kershaw.
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ArticleDeck carriers and semi-submersible heavy transport vessels: Caution gives way to a rising tide of optimism
Deck carriers and semi-submersible transport vessels perform some of the most eye-catching and technical transportation projects known to man. Demand for these vessels over the past couple of years did not quite match the levels seen in the multipurpose sector, but a perfect storm of events could see that tighten up. David Kershaw reports.
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ArticleRebalancing the multipurpose shipping market
At a glance, 12 consecutive months of falling rates might be cause for alarm for the multipurpose and heavy lift shipping market. However, there is more going on than meets the eye. Owners and operators remain bullish, both now and for the future. David Kershaw reports.