The Story of Breakbulk Europe

To mark Breakbulk Europe’s 20th anniversary, we take a look back at two decades of connection, collaboration and driving the project cargo industry forward. From modest beginnings in Antwerp to becoming the world’s premier event for breakbulk and project cargo – this is the story of our incredible journey!

From Issue 3, 2025 of Breakbulk Magazine.

During its first 14 years in the U.S., Breakbulk had grown into the industry’s largest exhibition. Based in New Orleans, it was a place where deals were made over coffee by day and cocktails by night. The charm of the city—jazz clubs, garden courtyards— only added to the appeal. But European attendees wanted something closer to home. As Breakbulk co-founder John Amos put it, “They wanted their own Breakbulk event, so we got busy.”

The location choice wasn’t difficult. The Port of Antwerp had been a longtime exhibitor at Breakbulk Americas and quickly stepped in as host port. Working closely with shippers, carriers and forwarders, the team shaped an event modeled on the U.S. version, with a European identity. The aim was simple: connect more companies across more regions, with Europe as a central hub.

The effort was led by Edouard “Eddy” Dekkers, Albert Pegg and the late Jean-Jacques Westerlund. Their pitch? Antwerp was already Europe’s biggest breakbulk port — why not make it the place for global industry leaders to gather?

The first Breakbulk Europe opened its doors in May 2006 at the Hilton Antwerp Old Town. Just behind the hotel sits a quiet square, a step off from the cobbled warren of Old Town. This is where many attendees first experienced the charm of Antwerp: its café terraces, winding alleys and the towering spire of the Cathedral of Our Lady, which has stood since the 14th century and still isn’t officially finished.

That mix of history and business set the tone. Organizers hoped for 400 people. Over 700 showed up, pushing the venue to its limits. “It exceeded everyone’s expectations,” Amos said. “The fire marshal almost shut us down!”

From there, the momentum grew. Breakbulk Europe moved to the Antwerp Expo in 2007 and continued to expand. “Ten years ago, it was a small-scale affair with just 30 exhibitors, but even then, it was clear – a star had been born,” said Luc Arnouts, chief commercial officer of Antwerp Port Authority.

Exhibitors brought their own flair. MACS had its famous rhino. The Port of Antwerp suspended rolls of steel from the ceiling. Ports of Spain carved jamón ibérico in their stand. Magdenli’s prankster ice cream man became a fixture. The expo floor was full of energy and personality.

Off the show floor, the action continued. Den Engel pub near Antwerp’s City Hall turned into Breakbulk’s unofficial after-hours HQ, thanks to Ports America. For anyone who needed a reset the next morning, Flensborg Associates’ Breakbulk BUSINESSrun delivered what Arnouts once called “a gentle reminder that there is no gain without pain.”

As the event marked its 10th anniversary in 2015, it had become the must-attend show in the region, drawing more than 300 exhibitors and 6,500 delegates. But Antwerp Expo was at capacity. Organizers went looking for a new home.

That led to Bremen. The twin ports of Bremen and Bremerhaven offered the scale needed for growth. The venue, Messe Bremen, was modern and spacious, located just a few blocks from Bürgerpark—a vast, wooded greenspace that provided the perfect setting for the BUSINESSrun.

The city brought its own charm, with a historic Town Hall where the Minister of Transport welcomed attendees at a special reception. Just beyond, you could take a photo next to the famous Musicians of Bremen statue and wind through the narrow streets of the Schnoor, the city’s oldest district, dating back to the 1400s. In 2018, attendance jumped by 26%, and the numbers kept rising.

Then came the pandemic. Breakbulk Europe was first postponed, then canceled. For the first time, there were no crowds, no stands, no hugs and handshakes. But the Breakbulk team didn’t sit idle. A remote communications program was launched, including webinars and the BreakbulkONE newsletter to keep the community connected.

“The funny thing is, even after we returned to live events, our subscribers kept growing,” said Leslie Meredith, product director for the Breakbulk portfolio. “So, we kept it going.”

The live event returned in 2022 with a new host city: Rotterdam. Known for its forward-looking approach to logistics and design, the city offered striking contrasts – ultramodern buildings like the cube houses and Markthal paired with old port infrastructure reimagined for today’s use. Many attendees took to the water to get around, using the city’s water taxi network. The welcome was citywide.

The Breakbulk Boulevard street party lined Schiedamse Vest, Spido boat tours offered views from the Maas and a VIP cruise aboard the Nieuwe Maze, complements of the Port of Rotterdam, gave attendees a chance to see the port in action.

That year also marked the debut of Women in Breakbulk in Europe, giving women in the industry a dedicated space to network, share experiences and build connections. What started as a small meetup has since become an essential part of the event.

Exhibitors continue to see real business value on the show floor. “Breakbulk is the leading exhibition that’s not just for suppliers but customers too,” said Graham Witton, managing director of Antonov Airlines. “We’ve been exhibiting since 2007, and we’ve captured so much business and so many new leads from participating, plus putting the brand around the world – Breakbulk is not an event we can ignore.”

That mix of longtime presence and new opportunity is part of the event’s draw. “What makes this event unique is its ability to bring together a diverse group of global professionals under one roof, providing an unmatched platform to discuss challenges and opportunities in the breakbulk and project cargo industry,” said Luz Marina Espiau Moreno, chief commercial and marketing officer at the Port of Tenerife.

“This year [2024], our focus was on highlighting the recent development of the Port of Granadilla as a key logistical hub for renewable energies and offshore operations, which generated significant interest and opened several doors for future initiatives.”

Even after nearly two decades, the show remains the place to do business. “Our customers are here. Our competitors are here. We have to be here,” said Mikolaj Magielka, sales executive at Chipolbrok, an original Breakbulk Europe exhibitor. “It’s a fantastic opportunity to meet all the people we work with in one place. Nothing beats the down to earth business we do at our booth.”

In 2010, the event took another step forward with the introduction of the VIP Shippers Club, now known as the Global Shippers Network. Different name, same purpose: to bring the project decision-makers into the event in a meaningful way. By involving energy companies, EPCs and other industrial shippers, Breakbulk Europe created a platform where service providers can hear directly from their customers and better understand the drivers behind major projects.

And while the networking is legendary, the conference sessions have become just as important—especially now. Faced with economic uncertainty, regional conflicts, shifting energy strategies and trade disruptions, the industry is navigating more complexity than ever. Developed with input from the Breakbulk Europe Advisory Board, the agenda is designed to tackle the issues that matter most.

As John Amos, original program director for Breakbulk Europe and former head of global logistics at Bechtel, said: “While it’s always great to come together, it’s in times of trouble that the Breakbulk events become even more important. Only together can we find the best way forward.”