Event Programme

Global Trade & Market Outlook Forum

Global Economic Trends – What is the forecast for 2019 and beyond?
Our leading industry analyst will assess the impact of key issues including the threat of a trade war between Washington and Beijing, China’s slowing growth, the decline in crude oil prices, the outlook for the dollar and the economic resilience of key economies. What challenges and opportunities will be created? And what does it all mean for the breakbulk and project cargo sector?
 

Speakers

Boris Glass

Senior Economist , S&P Global

Breakbulk and Project Market Outlook – Which markets will boost demand?

The Breakbulk audience will be updated about current project developments worldwide and future opportunities for the sector with the focus on forthcoming capital projects in oil & gas, alternative energy, petrochemicals, mining and infrastructure.  Hear our expert offer key insights on which markets will grow and which will contract in coming years, including key breakbulk commodities, led by steel.
 
Key questions we will be seeking answers to:

• Which are the most promising breakbulk and project cargo regions going forward?
• Will the buoyant renewables industry continue to provide business for the project cargo sector?
• Will the long-awaited oil and gas decommissioning market finally take off?
• Will Russia’s ambitious LNG projects mean more business for the sector?

Speakers

Johan-Paul Verschuure

WSP UK

Emerging markets: Where next for breakbulk and project cargo?

What are the next hot spots for the project cargo and breakbulk industry? Our panelists share their thoughts on the opportunities presented in the development of new commodities and emerging markets from Africa to Asia.

Moderators

Lars Greiner

Senior Logistics Innovation Consultant , Greiner Innovate

Speakers

Olivier Dirkzwager

Commercial Manager West Africa , Mammoet

IMO 2020: What is the true cost of compliance?

The shipping industry is set to face one of its most significant regulatory changes to date when the IMO’s sulphur cap comes into effect on January 1st, 2020. As compliance dominates industry discussions amid uncertainty over the availability of fuel in certain regions, our panel will discuss the likely impact of the IMO regulation on the breakbulk and project cargo sector.
 
Key questions our panel will tackle:

• What is the current state of play in the countdown to the new regulation?
• Will there be a major change in the way the industry operates in 2020?
• How can breakbulk operators guarantee the supply of compliant fuel in all regions?
• Who will cover the added compliance costs – ship operators or shippers?
• What, if any, steps are in place to avoid disruption to service?
• How will the physical fleet be affected?
• Will there be an impact on vessel availability?

Moderators

Axel Bantel

Vice President Sales, Germany , Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean

Speakers

Johanna Fräki

Innovation Director , Wärtsilä

How can the industry work with national authorities to improve Pan-European road infrastructure and simplify regulations impacting heavy cargo transportation?

As heavy lift/project cargo transport increases across Europe what can the industry do to convince governments to adopt measures such as increasing infrastructure investment, harmonising regulations and easing the process of granting permits. This year Breakbulk and ESTA are joining forces to bring the industry together to discuss a way forward.
 

Moderators

David Collett

President , ESTA

Speakers

David Allely

Director , Allelys Group

Iris Müllejans

Managing Director , Riedl Group

Sebastien Patard

Global Field Logistics Leader , GE Wind

How can the industry move forward and streamline contracts?

Project cargo forwarders face many challenges in their efforts to serve their customers in an uncertain business environment characterised by rigid and complex contracts. Our panel will examine whether the size of contracts makes them unmanageable, how size impacts risk allocation and compliance responsibility, the differing perspectives of contracting parties and growing concern over ‘double dipping’.
Audience feedback: join the discussion and share your thoughts with the panel as we seek to answer this essential question - what can be done to simplify and streamline the contracting process for the benefit of the industry?
 

Moderators

Daniel Jones

Partner , Clyde & Co (Deutschland) LLP

Speakers

Beata Bac

Global Category Manager Projects, Inbound and International Logistics , Shell

Paolo Minetti

Global Logistics, Transport & Customs Director , Alstom

MPV and Heavy-Lift Shipping Market Outlook

An update on the multipurpose and heavy lift shipping market, covering both the breakbulk and project cargo sectors. 
 

Speakers

Susan Oatway

Senior Analyst for Multipurpose & Breakbulk Shipping , Drewry

The changing face of the breakbulk and project cargo industry – Where next?

We have heard the views of analysts, digested their data, but now we ask the industry heavyweights how they see the markets going forward following the recent slow recovery from the sector’s all-time lows. Do the bulls outnumber the bears? And what are their predictions on the future path for the sector as it seeks to modernise in a challenging and uncertain environment.
 
A cross-industry panel discusses possible areas of agreement, disagreement and potential solutions to how the industry can move forward together in the everchanging business landscape.

• Are the industry’s current business models sustainable? How are they evolving?
• What are the biggest competitive disadvantages facing the industry today?
• What should the role of forwarders be and how should they be compensated?
• How are environmental considerations affecting breakbulk and project cargo transport decision-making?
• Where do you believe you can find further synergies with your project partners?
• What are the greatest challenges to synergy?

Speakers

Kyriacos Panayides

Managing Director , AAL

How are Europe’s breakbulk ports reacting to changes across the sector?

As competition increases across the breakbulk waterfront, we ask some of Europe’s leading port operators and ambitious newcomers to share their thoughts on industry developments, covering the strategic, operational and regulatory aspects of their business.
 
Questions our panel will answer:

• Will leading European breakbulk ports increase investment in the sector as spending on the top priority container terminals is plateauing?
• Will competition also increase prompting improved conditions and lower prices for the sector?
• Will there be more newcomers as smaller ports seek to move into the market?
• Will accelerating breakbulk consolidation impact European port competition?
• How are ports preparing to comply with new environmental regulations?
• Tomorrow’s ports, what’s next on the innovation path?

Moderators

Johan-Paul Verschuure

WSP UK

Speakers

Marcin Osowski

Vice President of Infrastructure , Port of Gdansk

Our People, Our Future – Engaging the leaders of tomorrow

Tracking down, developing and maintaining strong project logistics talent is hard to do when there is a tremendous personnel shortage in the sector and in supply chain management in general. Finding, training, and retaining staff to achieve the right level of talent and expertise will be fundamental to the success of the sector. Stakeholders need to join forces to improve the industry’s talent pipeline.
 
Join this session to brainstorm with your peers and set the wheels in motion to attract the future generation.

• Who needs to be involved to trigger change?
• What initiatives currently exist, and what’s been successful?
• What opportunities exist for mentoring schemes and partnerships?
• How can the industry engage with the younger generation?
• What skills do we need to train the future workforce in?

Speakers

Christoph Hilgers

Head of Global Projects – Germany , DB Schenker

Frank Mueller

General Manager , AAL Liner Services 

Industry Forum: Are we entering a new era of innovation for breakbulk? Identifying technology’s true value for the sector

‘Innovation’ and ‘digital disruption’ have become buzz words of the 21^st century. But what do they mean for the breakbulk sector, an industry that is frequently labelled as ‘behind the times’ and many would argue is not suitable for digital disruption due its non-standardised nature which defies automation and simplification?
 
This panel will present the findings of the Maritime Cluster North Germany and NBS Northern Business School’s research, focusing on digital trends in the breakbulk business.  
 
Sifting innovation fact from fiction, our panel answers these questions:

• Current landscape - what solutions and technology are already in use?
• What technology should be causing disruption already but isn’t - should we change it?
• What innovations are on the horizon that will impact the way breakbulk is shipped in the future?
• Where are the opportunities and where are companies starting to invest?
• How can we become a more forward-thinking industry?

Moderators

Prof. Dr. Sven Hermann

Managing Director , ProLog Innovation GmbH

Speakers

Alexey Fofonov

Data Scientist , Encoway GmbH 

Ali Javaherian

Managing Director and Owner , Contrans Logistik GmbH

Andreas Born

Director , Maritime Cluster North Germany

Andreas Wiegeler

Team Lead, Logistics , ThyssenKrupp Industrial Solutions

Dr.-Ing. Patric Drewes

Managing Partner , Carl Polzin Seehafenspedition GmbH

Bringing external innovation inside: What can the breakbulk sector learn from digital innovation in other industries?

What lessons can be learnt from digital innovators in their adoption of new/emerging technology, and what can be adapted for use in this sector? This discussion will bring together innovators outside of the industry to share their perspectives on the digital revolution, their management of change and share lessons learnt and advice with the Breakbulk audience.
 

Speakers

Carl Odeen

Head of Onboarding , Container xChange

Industry Working Group

Facilitated by our panel of experts the Breakbulk audience is invited to participate in this interactive session, by identifying every day breakbulk and project cargo logistics operations they think can be streamlined or made more efficient through innovation and tech. This session provides opportunities for knowledge sharing and cross-industry collaboration and examines how they can be part of shaping the next era of innovation in breakbulk.
 

Tech Talks

A series of case studies from technology companies and start-ups which offer hardware and software solutions for the breakbulk sector. Discover how their tech solutions can optimising the way breakbulk and project cargo is being transported through AI, blockchain, automation and more.

Case Study I

South Bangkok Power Plant & Xayaburi Hydroelectric Dam Projects – Engineered to Succeed

Speakers

Andre Starke

General Manager , Hansa Meyer

Michael Mulvenna

Regional Director, Asia , ALE

Case Study II

Coradia Algeria Project

Speakers

Paolo Minetti

Global Logistics, Transport & Customs Director , Alstom

Case Study III

FOX Brasil | Project Logistics & CMA CGM

Speakers

Murilo Caldana

Project Director , FOX Brasil

Stephane Berninet

Head of Project Cargo Division , CMA CGM

The changing business of project freight forwarding in a digital world

In the digital age, the role of freight forwarders is being called into question. How can freight forwarders adapt, and what does their changing role mean for the rest of the market?

• How do forwarders define their role, their territory?
• How do shippers, 3PLs and carriers define forwarders’ role?
• Where’s the balance to ensure forwarders remain vital while bringing harmony to the supply chain?
• While forwarders’ roles have expanded, their method of compensation has not. How can forwarders be equitably compensated?
• Are freight forwarders prepared for the industry’s expanding innovation and use of technology? What/where are the costs for getting up to speed?

Speakers

Philipp Rau

Maritime Specialist , McKinsey

Evaluating digital risks: The importance of cyber security, trust and managing new risk

With increased digitalisation and data sharing/availability – how can companies be proactive in protecting themselves from digital threats?
 
Our panel answers your questions:

• Are companies addressing cyber security risk when evaluating partners during the tender/contracting process? Is this necessary?
• What lessons can be learned from cyber-attacks in the wider transport sector?
• Is there potential for the industry to collaborate and utilise blockchain technology to enhance security?
• As more companies seek strategic cross-industrial partnerships, how can the industry work together to generate trust between parties?

Global Trade & Market Outlook Forum

Global Economic Trends – What is the forecast for 2019 and beyond?
Our leading industry analyst will assess the impact of key issues including the threat of a trade war between Washington and Beijing, China’s slowing growth, the decline in crude oil prices, the outlook for the dollar and the economic resilience of key economies. What challenges and opportunities will be created? And what does it all mean for the breakbulk and project cargo sector?
 

Speakers

Boris Glass

Senior Economist , S&P Global

Breakbulk and Project Market Outlook – Which markets will boost demand?

The Breakbulk audience will be updated about current project developments worldwide and future opportunities for the sector with the focus on forthcoming capital projects in oil & gas, alternative energy, petrochemicals, mining and infrastructure.  Hear our expert offer key insights on which markets will grow and which will contract in coming years, including key breakbulk commodities, led by steel.
 
Key questions we will be seeking answers to:

• Which are the most promising breakbulk and project cargo regions going forward?
• Will the buoyant renewables industry continue to provide business for the project cargo sector?
• Will the long-awaited oil and gas decommissioning market finally take off?
• Will Russia’s ambitious LNG projects mean more business for the sector?

Speakers

Johan-Paul Verschuure

WSP UK

Emerging markets: Where next for breakbulk and project cargo?

What are the next hot spots for the project cargo and breakbulk industry? Our panelists share their thoughts on the opportunities presented in the development of new commodities and emerging markets from Africa to Asia.

Moderators

Lars Greiner

Senior Logistics Innovation Consultant , Greiner Innovate

Speakers

Olivier Dirkzwager

Commercial Manager West Africa , Mammoet

IMO 2020: What is the true cost of compliance?

The shipping industry is set to face one of its most significant regulatory changes to date when the IMO’s sulphur cap comes into effect on January 1st, 2020. As compliance dominates industry discussions amid uncertainty over the availability of fuel in certain regions, our panel will discuss the likely impact of the IMO regulation on the breakbulk and project cargo sector.
 
Key questions our panel will tackle:

• What is the current state of play in the countdown to the new regulation?
• Will there be a major change in the way the industry operates in 2020?
• How can breakbulk operators guarantee the supply of compliant fuel in all regions?
• Who will cover the added compliance costs – ship operators or shippers?
• What, if any, steps are in place to avoid disruption to service?
• How will the physical fleet be affected?
• Will there be an impact on vessel availability?

Moderators

Axel Bantel

Vice President Sales, Germany , Wallenius Wilhelmsen Ocean

Speakers

Johanna Fräki

Innovation Director , Wärtsilä

How can the industry work with national authorities to improve Pan-European road infrastructure and simplify regulations impacting heavy cargo transportation?

As heavy lift/project cargo transport increases across Europe what can the industry do to convince governments to adopt measures such as increasing infrastructure investment, harmonising regulations and easing the process of granting permits. This year Breakbulk and ESTA are joining forces to bring the industry together to discuss a way forward.
 

Moderators

David Collett

President , ESTA

Speakers

David Allely

Director , Allelys Group

Iris Müllejans

Managing Director , Riedl Group

Sebastien Patard

Global Field Logistics Leader , GE Wind

How can the industry move forward and streamline contracts?

Project cargo forwarders face many challenges in their efforts to serve their customers in an uncertain business environment characterised by rigid and complex contracts. Our panel will examine whether the size of contracts makes them unmanageable, how size impacts risk allocation and compliance responsibility, the differing perspectives of contracting parties and growing concern over ‘double dipping’.
Audience feedback: join the discussion and share your thoughts with the panel as we seek to answer this essential question - what can be done to simplify and streamline the contracting process for the benefit of the industry?
 

Moderators

Daniel Jones

Partner , Clyde & Co (Deutschland) LLP

Speakers

Beata Bac

Global Category Manager Projects, Inbound and International Logistics , Shell

Paolo Minetti

Global Logistics, Transport & Customs Director , Alstom

MPV and Heavy-Lift Shipping Market Outlook

An update on the multipurpose and heavy lift shipping market, covering both the breakbulk and project cargo sectors. 
 

Speakers

Susan Oatway

Senior Analyst for Multipurpose & Breakbulk Shipping , Drewry

The changing face of the breakbulk and project cargo industry – Where next?

We have heard the views of analysts, digested their data, but now we ask the industry heavyweights how they see the markets going forward following the recent slow recovery from the sector’s all-time lows. Do the bulls outnumber the bears? And what are their predictions on the future path for the sector as it seeks to modernise in a challenging and uncertain environment.
 
A cross-industry panel discusses possible areas of agreement, disagreement and potential solutions to how the industry can move forward together in the everchanging business landscape.

• Are the industry’s current business models sustainable? How are they evolving?
• What are the biggest competitive disadvantages facing the industry today?
• What should the role of forwarders be and how should they be compensated?
• How are environmental considerations affecting breakbulk and project cargo transport decision-making?
• Where do you believe you can find further synergies with your project partners?
• What are the greatest challenges to synergy?

Speakers

Kyriacos Panayides

Managing Director , AAL

How are Europe’s breakbulk ports reacting to changes across the sector?

As competition increases across the breakbulk waterfront, we ask some of Europe’s leading port operators and ambitious newcomers to share their thoughts on industry developments, covering the strategic, operational and regulatory aspects of their business.
 
Questions our panel will answer:

• Will leading European breakbulk ports increase investment in the sector as spending on the top priority container terminals is plateauing?
• Will competition also increase prompting improved conditions and lower prices for the sector?
• Will there be more newcomers as smaller ports seek to move into the market?
• Will accelerating breakbulk consolidation impact European port competition?
• How are ports preparing to comply with new environmental regulations?
• Tomorrow’s ports, what’s next on the innovation path?

Moderators

Johan-Paul Verschuure

WSP UK

Speakers

Marcin Osowski

Vice President of Infrastructure , Port of Gdansk

Our People, Our Future – Engaging the leaders of tomorrow

Tracking down, developing and maintaining strong project logistics talent is hard to do when there is a tremendous personnel shortage in the sector and in supply chain management in general. Finding, training, and retaining staff to achieve the right level of talent and expertise will be fundamental to the success of the sector. Stakeholders need to join forces to improve the industry’s talent pipeline.
 
Join this session to brainstorm with your peers and set the wheels in motion to attract the future generation.

• Who needs to be involved to trigger change?
• What initiatives currently exist, and what’s been successful?
• What opportunities exist for mentoring schemes and partnerships?
• How can the industry engage with the younger generation?
• What skills do we need to train the future workforce in?

Speakers

Christoph Hilgers

Head of Global Projects – Germany , DB Schenker

Frank Mueller

General Manager , AAL Liner Services 

Industry Forum: Are we entering a new era of innovation for breakbulk? Identifying technology’s true value for the sector

‘Innovation’ and ‘digital disruption’ have become buzz words of the 21^st century. But what do they mean for the breakbulk sector, an industry that is frequently labelled as ‘behind the times’ and many would argue is not suitable for digital disruption due its non-standardised nature which defies automation and simplification?
 
This panel will present the findings of the Maritime Cluster North Germany and NBS Northern Business School’s research, focusing on digital trends in the breakbulk business.  
 
Sifting innovation fact from fiction, our panel answers these questions:

• Current landscape - what solutions and technology are already in use?
• What technology should be causing disruption already but isn’t - should we change it?
• What innovations are on the horizon that will impact the way breakbulk is shipped in the future?
• Where are the opportunities and where are companies starting to invest?
• How can we become a more forward-thinking industry?

Moderators

Prof. Dr. Sven Hermann

Managing Director , ProLog Innovation GmbH

Speakers

Alexey Fofonov

Data Scientist , Encoway GmbH 

Ali Javaherian

Managing Director and Owner , Contrans Logistik GmbH

Andreas Born

Director , Maritime Cluster North Germany

Andreas Wiegeler

Team Lead, Logistics , ThyssenKrupp Industrial Solutions

Dr.-Ing. Patric Drewes

Managing Partner , Carl Polzin Seehafenspedition GmbH

Bringing external innovation inside: What can the breakbulk sector learn from digital innovation in other industries?

What lessons can be learnt from digital innovators in their adoption of new/emerging technology, and what can be adapted for use in this sector? This discussion will bring together innovators outside of the industry to share their perspectives on the digital revolution, their management of change and share lessons learnt and advice with the Breakbulk audience.
 

Speakers

Carl Odeen

Head of Onboarding , Container xChange

Industry Working Group

Facilitated by our panel of experts the Breakbulk audience is invited to participate in this interactive session, by identifying every day breakbulk and project cargo logistics operations they think can be streamlined or made more efficient through innovation and tech. This session provides opportunities for knowledge sharing and cross-industry collaboration and examines how they can be part of shaping the next era of innovation in breakbulk.
 

Tech Talks

A series of case studies from technology companies and start-ups which offer hardware and software solutions for the breakbulk sector. Discover how their tech solutions can optimising the way breakbulk and project cargo is being transported through AI, blockchain, automation and more.

Case Study I

South Bangkok Power Plant & Xayaburi Hydroelectric Dam Projects – Engineered to Succeed

Speakers

Andre Starke

General Manager , Hansa Meyer

Michael Mulvenna

Regional Director, Asia , ALE

Case Study II

Coradia Algeria Project

Speakers

Paolo Minetti

Global Logistics, Transport & Customs Director , Alstom

Case Study III

FOX Brasil | Project Logistics & CMA CGM

Speakers

Murilo Caldana

Project Director , FOX Brasil

Stephane Berninet

Head of Project Cargo Division , CMA CGM

The changing business of project freight forwarding in a digital world

In the digital age, the role of freight forwarders is being called into question. How can freight forwarders adapt, and what does their changing role mean for the rest of the market?

• How do forwarders define their role, their territory?
• How do shippers, 3PLs and carriers define forwarders’ role?
• Where’s the balance to ensure forwarders remain vital while bringing harmony to the supply chain?
• While forwarders’ roles have expanded, their method of compensation has not. How can forwarders be equitably compensated?
• Are freight forwarders prepared for the industry’s expanding innovation and use of technology? What/where are the costs for getting up to speed?

Speakers

Philipp Rau

Maritime Specialist , McKinsey

Evaluating digital risks: The importance of cyber security, trust and managing new risk

With increased digitalisation and data sharing/availability – how can companies be proactive in protecting themselves from digital threats?
 
Our panel answers your questions:

• Are companies addressing cyber security risk when evaluating partners during the tender/contracting process? Is this necessary?
• What lessons can be learned from cyber-attacks in the wider transport sector?
• Is there potential for the industry to collaborate and utilise blockchain technology to enhance security?
• As more companies seek strategic cross-industrial partnerships, how can the industry work together to generate trust between parties?