Future Thinkers, Forward Movers

At the Future Thinkers regional meeting and community forum in Rotterdam this past June, logistics leaders and academics from thirteen countries described today’s project cargo industry in three words: volatile, uncertain and resilient.

“Energy volatility is no longer just an energy market issue,” Mohammad Jaber, CEO for Combi Lift Project Logistics, said. “It directly affects freight rates, supply chain resilience, project economics and investment decisions across global industries.”

What came out of these gatherings was a clear ask for scenario-building. Danny Barz of SMS Group said, “We are living in the moment badly, case by case.” Daniel Duus of thyssenkrupp Uhde agreed, saying the industry should “change our mindset toward the future, to these new scenarios” and learn from the disruptions of the last few years rather than simply weather them again.

Julian Skyrme, of AD Ports Group, said that “companies need a dedicated think tank function inside strategy,” a standing habit of asking what could disrupt the supply chain next instead of scrambling once it already has.

We got the message, loud and clear. In response, Breakbulk has joined forces with Dr. Sven Hermann, academic chair for Future Thinkers, to design Future Thinkers, Forward Movers, an online course for industry professionals who want to learn how to interpret current events and extrapolate future scenarios, all with the help of some of the industry’s brightest leaders.

Future Thinkers, Forward Movers

Nov. 3-4 from 3pm to 6pm each afternoon (CET)

This two-day online summit helps industry professionals turn megatrends, geopolitical shifts and market signals into concrete scenarios for better decision-making. Course instructors include leaders from Siemens Energy, Andritz Hydro, Siempelkamp, Hitachi Energy, Fluor and more.

Participants leave with a hands-on Foresight Toolkit and graduate as certified “Future Thinkers.”

€350. Limited to 30 participants.

Register here.

Top photo: Future Thinkers from around the world gathered aboard Port of Rotterdam Authority’s Niewe Maze for the Europe regional meeting. Credit: Hyve