Insight
Heavy-duty railfreight: Full steam ahead, despite bottlenecks
Robust demand has created a steady flow of heavy and project cargoes on North America’s railways, with power transmission infrastructure continuing to make up the bulk of loads moved. Although costs and clearance times continue to rise, demand looks set to continue upwards.
AI and automation reshape logistics roles
Growing civil engineering industry implementation of automation and AI will have increasingly significant implications for logistics providers working on projects in that sector, writes Phil Hastings.
The Internationalist: Riccardo Tippmann
Justin Archard sits down with Riccardo Tippmann in Dubai to reflect on a 50-year career in heavy lift and transport – from Cold War convoys and oil booms to the parbuckling of Costa Concordia – and why, at 68, he’s still not ready to stop.
Container lines build on niche opportunities
As global trade routes shift and container markets face oversupply and uncertainty, leading shipping lines are turning to project cargo, breakbulk, and out-of-gauge (OOG) shipments as a strategic growth area—investing in specialised equipment, sustainability, and service expertise to support complex logistics demands. Mike Bryant reports.
Ro-ro shipping lines face up to challenges
After years of tight capacity and high rates, the global ro-ro shipping market is entering a new phase marked by rising vessel deliveries, growing competition and weakening demand – particularly for electric vehicles. Mike Bryant reports.
Trump’s trade agenda hits headwinds
A battle over tariffs and a legislative push to dismantle clean energy incentives have set the stage for a turbulent summer in Washington. While a US trade court initially struck down president Donald Trump’s sweeping import tariffs, an appeals court swiftly issued a temporary reprieve. At the same time, Congress narrowly passed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” which could unravel the very tax credits underpinning America’s renewable energy boom – with far-reaching implications for global supply chains and infrastructure investment.
Space race: responding to the surge
With the surge in oversized cargo driven by Spain and Portugal’s accelerating investment in offshore wind, green hydrogen and industrial projects, ports across the Iberian Peninsula are racing to expand capacity and unlock new logistics potential. Daniel Searle reports on how the region is preparing to move the energy transition, piece by piece.
US offshore wind determined despite federal opposition
A resolute sense of determination was very much in the air at the Oceanic Network IPF25 offshore wind (OSW) conference in Virginia on April 28 to May 1. To be sure the hot topic of conversation was several directives out of the White House in previous weeks and months targeting offshore wind development in general and one project off New York in particular. Nevertheless, there was confidence that offshore wind has already become essential if the USA is to meet its soaring demand for power.
Geopolitics casts a shadow over buoyant civil sector
Worldwide requirements for upgraded basic infrastructure, notably transport systems and public utilities, will continue driving long-term demand for new civil engineering projects. Shorter-term, though, geopolitical issues, notably repercussions from new USA-led international trade tariffs and the war in Ukraine, are likely to harm the sector. Phil Hastings reports.
PDB approach reshapes project logistics involvement in civil sector
One of the more significant long-term trends in the global civil engineering sector, particularly relevant to project logistics providers, is the growing adoption of progressive design-build (PDB). This project delivery method promotes early collaboration between the design and construction phases to help mitigate delays and cost overruns. The shift is broadly welcomed by logisticians, who have long advocated for earlier and closer coordination across project stakeholders, writes Phil Hastings.
Navigating the heights of Austria and Switzerland
The mountainous terrain of Austria and Switzerland presents both opportunities and challenges for project logistics. Hydropower remains a cornerstone of the energy landscape, with companies specialising in the transport of oversized components for domestic and international projects. However, the management of complex multimodal transport solutions to stringent regulatory requirements and evolving economic landscapes are posing questions of project forwarders. Daniel Searle reports.
A brief reprieve
On April 9, just hours after announcing reciprocal tariffs on all countries, US president Donald Trump abruptly backtracked, suspending their implementation for 90 days. However, China was not spared: its tariff was increased to 125 percent. The baseline 10 percent tariffs on all countries, introduced on April 5 – dubbed ‘Liberation Day’ – remain in effect. Additionally, 25 percent duties on autos and steel are still in place.
