Future Thinkers
Future Thinkers is a long-term initiative built to help the project cargo community anticipate change. The program is led by a group of senior executives and specialized academic experts who meet at each Breakbulk event to identify the fundamental shifts coming between now and 2045 and what companies can do today to prepare for them.
The program has now expanded to include a new element: open membership for industry professionals from all sectors involved in industrial projects.
Join the Future Thinkers Online Course
3-4 November 2026
Jointly hosted by Breakbulk Events & Media and in cooperation with ProLog Innovation.
Program responsibility: Prof. Dr. Sven Hermann, Future Thinkers Academic Chair
This program is designed for leaders and specialists in industrial and project-based organizations, particularly in project logistics, heavy-lift and supply chain functions across sectors such as energy, heavy machinery and plant engineering, who are responsible for strategic planning, market intelligence or building foresight capability within their organization.
What to expect
Markets are shifting faster than most organizations can interpret them. This summit helps you close that gap. Over two focused afternoons, you will work with senior practitioners from Andritz Hydro, RENK Group, thyssenkrupp Uhde, Siemens Energy, Hitachi Energy, Fluor, Auerbach, Lilly and Siempelkamp, alongside academic perspective from the University of Hong Kong and NBS Northern Business School to translate megatrends and market signals into actionable future scenarios, build leadership capacity for navigating uncertainty and leave with a practical Foresight Toolkit you can apply directly in your organization.
Photo right: More than 30 Future Thinkers met in Rotterdam at Breakbulk Europe. Now we bring the experience to you with Breakbulk Future Thinkers' first online course.
Insights from Future Thinkers at Breakbulk Europe 2026
Are optimistic about 2045, despite expectations that geopolitical tensions will increase.
Europe scores 2.8/5 for growth, with green industry, modernisation and plant replacement driving opportunity.
Companies remain reactive. Scenario planning, alternative routes and risk-sharing need to start earlier.
AI readiness is just 1/10 in Energy & Infrastructure and 2–2.5/10 in Supply Chain & Logistics.
Scenario planning, earlier logistics involvement, routing flexibility, better data, talent and decarbonisation.
Explore findings from Future Thinkers Europe 2026
Download the free report now by filling out the short form.
By joining the Future Thinkers community, you gain a front-row seat to this year-round exchange of global intelligence
As a member, you will:
Participate in Research
Contribute to the ongoing work of identifying the technical, geopolitical and environmental forces shaping the next two decades.
Receive Early Invitations
Get priority access to community forums at each Breakbulk event to discuss these findings directly with representatives from the core executive and academic group.
Access Exclusive Intelligence
Be the first to receive thought pieces and data-driven insights straight from the latest Future Thinkers sessions.
Meet the Future Thinkers
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Don’t just watch the future happen—join the Future Thinkers community
The program operates year-round through Breakbulk Events & Media, sustaining a steady exchange of insight that supports planning, investment and collaboration across all regions.
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