A word from GPLN:                                                                                       Newsletter Issue 103 / March-April 2025

Dear Reader,

Breakbulk shipping remains a vital component of supply chain logistics, catering to industries that require the transport of oversized, heavy, or irregularly shaped cargo. In 2025, several industries are increasingly turning to breakbulk services to meet their logistical needs, ensuring the smooth movement of such cargo across international markets, which is also an important part of our specialized GPLN member offices around the world.

In particular wind energy has seen steady growth, especially offshore wind farms in Europe, the U.S., and Asia. These projects require massive components, including turbine blades exceeding 100 meters in length, nacelles, and tower sections. Hydroelectric plants and solar farms continue to expand as well, further driving demand for specialized logistics.
There is also surge in infrastructure projects, particularly in developing economies where governments are investing in roads, railways, bridges, and airport expansions to accommodate growing populations and facilitate economic growth.

Despite the push towards renewable energy, oil and gas remain critical to global energy consumption. Countries rich in hydrocarbons, such as Saudi Arabia, the U.S., Brazil, and Nigeria, continue to invest in new exploration and refining projects.

The mining sector is another powerhouse with the growing demand for critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and copper, all key materials for electric vehicles and battery production. The mining operations are expanding worldwide and South America, Africa, and Australia are among the leading regions where new mines are being developed to meet global supply chain demands.

As announced earlier, after the great success of our past AGMs in Rotterdam we will hold our 21st Annual General Meeting from June 12-14, 2026 at the Hilton Hotel in Rotterdam, just ahead of Breakbulk Europe in Rotterdam which is scheduled from June 16-18, 2026, that delegates can combine both events which is time and cost saving.

More details and delegate registration for active GPLN members are now available on our dedicated website: https://gpln.net/agm-2026/

Please also note that we are offering an “early bird booking discount” of USD 100 per person on our published AGM delegate fees which is subject to pre-registration and full pre-payment within October 31, 2022.

This year GPLN will exhibit again at the Breakbulk event which is taking place from May 13-15, 2025 for 3 full days. Several GPLN member companies are sharing our large GPLN booth and will be pleased to meet you, namely (in alphabetic order): Al Jassim Freight/Saudia Arabia, Herfurth Logistics/Belgium-Turkey, ITM Projects/Mexico, JSL Global/Qatar-Oman, Navigators Shipping And Logistica/UAE, Nu-Era Logistics/Canada, Prism Logistics/ India and Zenith International Freight, UK.

We are looking forward to meeting soon our GPLN members and visitors at GPLN Booth # 1A20 in Hall 1.

Best regards,

Your GPLN Team

Maritime Synergy handle Rock Salt Exploitation and Processing Project

GPLN member Maritime Synergy from Thailand completed in February 2025 successfully a door-to-door delivery for a Rock Salt Exploitation and Processing Project from Thailand to Laos, showcasing its expertise in project cargo transportation.

The project demanded flexibility to handle oversized cargo, cross-border routes, and challenging conditions.
Commodity: Cooling tower, Centrifugal Pump, Cooling water and steel fitting.
Volume: 221 PKGS / 4,038 CBM / 461 TONS
Scope of work: Cross-border road transportation from Rayong, Thailand, to Khammouane, Laos, including loading, unloading, and customs clearance in both countries

Key Highlights:
Safely handled 62 tons and 42 tons of boiler stack packages
Safely handled cross border trucking for 28x Flatbed and 5x Lowbed for other cargoes
Door delivery from Thailand to Khammouane, Laos, achieving a 7 days completion of job scope.
Transport permit both for Thailand and Laos for heavy cargo movement.

Maximum package dimensions:
Length: 22.00 m
Width: 4.55 m
Height: 4.55 m
Weight: 62MT x 1 unit and 42-ton x 1 unit and other oversized cargo.

They utilized a combination of hydraulic multi-axles trailer, low-bed 4 axle trailers and flatbed 3 axles.

Go Gauge Logistics move Valves from Italy to India

GPLN member Go Gauge Logistics from India recently executed a heavy lift project from Port Cagliari in Italy to Mumbai, handling:
One 110-ton valve (7.5m width) and two 60-ton valves

Our scope of services included:
Vessel agency & chartering a heavy lift vessel
Engineering lifting calculations & spreaders at load port
Proper stowage & securing solutions
Seamless loading coordination

With our global GPLN network and expertise, we ensure smooth handling of heavy and OOG cargo worldwide.

MAMQ change the history of land transportation in Pakistan

GPLN member M/s Muhammad Amin Muhammad Qaseem (Pvt) Ltd. (MAMQ), a premier asset based one-window project logistics company in Pakistan, has earned a historical milestone in Pakistan’s Transport arena and changed the history of land transportation in Pakistan by delivering 2 different aircrafts (Boeing MS-737 & McDonnell Douglas MD-83) on its Goldhofer Multi Axle Hydraulic Modular Trailers from Jinnah International Airport, Karachi, to Civil Aviation Training Institute, Hyderabad, with utmost safety and meeting HSE stringent compliances of Civil Aviation Authority.

MAMQ’s professional team evaluated and undertook a detailed route survey by observing all the bottlenecks enroute, which not only included narrow passages, steep turnings, urban districts, traffic chaos of the city, besides removal of overhead barriers & electric wires, but also the movement permission from National Highways & Motorways Authorities, for such an enormous cargo inland movement.

What makes this scenario unique is, that both the aircrafts were delivered within a short span of 2 weeks and back-to-back with utmost safety. The delivery of these aircrafts has been hailed by local and foreign media as a landmark achievement in Pakistan transport landscape due to first of its kind in the country after Saudi Arabia and has put MAMQ in a distinctive position as one of the leading logistics companies to lock this credit proving its professional acumen.

The movement of these two 150`ft & 105`ft long aircrafts proved to be the most challenging task due to intricacies of the job nature. However, MAMQ’s name is synonymous with reliable services and trust and they therefore handled all assigned tasks with a well-organized approach.

MFC moves heavy Tug Boats

GPLN member MFC from UAE was awarded the contract to bring 2 new tug boats, 160 MT each, from a shipyard in China to UAE. The first part of this was to move the 2 tug boats to the load port in China which was 100 nautical miles from the yard. Thereafter, we had to load them onboard a heavy lift vessel on deck before setting course for the UAE. The client was misguided by many other companies that these boats can only be taken on a deck barge from yard to the port, which was adding a huge amount of additional costs. MFC Extreme team came up with a solution, where we took special permissions from the marine authorities in China allowing us to tow these boats from the yard to the port of loading, saving these unnecessary costs.

When the heavy lift vessel arrived, we loaded these 2 boats from the water side, arranged divers to sling the hook from the underwater side and then lift on.
MFC arranged special cradles for the boats of being stowed on deck in advance, because they were coming from the water.

All of this was done during the start of Chinese New Year, when every Chinese office was scaling down and limited authorised personnel were available.
With the vessel arrival date fixed, very close coordination was needed across multiple people to ensure no delays and no additional charges.

Just when we thought all was smooth as the vessel sailed, the vessel owner changed the rotation of port call on route from China to UAE, changing the port of discharge.
MFC immediately came into action providing multiple solutions to the client to limit any additional costs and ensure the tug boats were delivered to their final location.

Sea Cargo Logistics move a furnace and its parts to Mexico

A journey of steel and precision: the transfer of an industrial furnace from Spain to Mexico. Every load tells a story. Some are simple journeys from point A to point B; others, like this one, become true logistical journeys.

It all began at an industrial plant in Spain, where a large furnace and its parts were waiting to be moved more than 9,000 kilometers away. Its destination: Villa de Reyes, San Luis Potosí, Mexico. The client: a leading company in advanced robotic technology. The mission: to get it there complete, safe and on time.

But this was no ordinary shipment. The main pieces exceeded 70 tons, with dimensions that defied the standards of port and road infrastructure.
From the very beginning, we knew that the success of this operation would depend on a single word: coordination.

The furnace and its components left Spain for the port of Altamira, Mexico. For the sea transport, the right vessel and equipment – including MAFIs and special containers – were carefully chosen and the parts were reinforced to withstand the ocean voyage without mishap.

Upon arrival at the Mexican port, every minute counted. The synergy between our logistics team, the customs broker and the maritime inspector allowed for an agile clearance, free of documentary errors or permit delays. In an operation of this magnitude, even a minor detail can become a large-scale obstacle.

Released at the port, the cargo had to travel more than 500 kilometers overland to its final destination. Not just any truck can handle an item that is more than 5.40 meters wide and 4.20 meters high.

A route was traced with meticulous precision, evaluating every bridge, curve, tunnel and urban area. Special permits had to be obtained, oversized vehicles had to be selected, and communication with road authorities was necessary. Along the way, every kilometer was a test of patience, foresight and expertise. A veritable ballet of steel, tires and will.

Finally, after days of travel, the convoy arrived in Villa de Reyes. But there was still one last test: unloading and positioning on site.
Here, the challenge was not only to leave the cargo on the site, but to place each piece in its final position, millimeter by millimeter, as if assembling a Swiss watch with a crane weighing tons.

Specialized lifting equipment, expert operators in high-risk maneuvers, and strict safety measures were deployed. Detailed planning allowed the unloading to be completed in time, without incidents, with the precision that this world-class client demands.

This project was not just a logistical exercise: it was a story of commitment, adaptability and trust. A proof that, when it comes to international transportation, no challenge is too big if you have the right expertise.

Because in international logistics, every load tells a story. This was ours.

Inter American Ships MAFI to Argentina

GPLN member Inter American Cargo Group from Argentina delivered another remarkable project: a MAFI. Services included stuffing at origin, transportation from Houston/USA to Zarate/Argentina, and inland transportation to the site in Vaca Muerta oilfields in Neuquen, Argentina.

The cargo consisted of 300 m³ and 50 tons of oversized pieces for an oil and gas project in southern Argentina.

UBL handle Rails for TLV Purple Line

An exceptional project by GPLN member Ultimate Business Logistics (UBL) from Israel was recently successfully completed.
A dedicated charter vessel (4th vessel of total 7) for 1,800 railways, each 18 meter long and with a weight of 1 ton, with extended trucks’ plates, and specific logistics, all direct delivery and completed within just 36 hours! Plus, delivery to the site.

The project involved meticulous planning, inter-organizational coordination, and professional management of our field teams, together with our partners at the port and in the ground transportation.

We are proud to lead large-scale national logistics projects; while maintaining accuracy, speed, and safety at every stage.
Avi Bochbot, UBL CEO said: “It’s a professional pride to see such a project come to life, and be completed exactly as planned.”

Juno Logistics deliver Hydraulic Presses to Canada

Juno Project Cargo, the specialized division of GPLN member Juno Logistics, Inc. from USA, successfully delivered 4 hydraulic press machines and an automation line. Scope of services included receiving cargo from vessel and truck loading; complete handling of USA bonds; coordination with Canadian broker; trucking; and truck marshalling at the jobsite in southwestern Ontario, Canada.

Shipping heavy in Canadian winter has its own challenges and restrictions. 7 individual pieces comprised 33% of the project’s total weight, with the heaviest piece weighing more than 72 metric tons. The team resolved several sudden challenges in addition.

Permits for heavy loads were canceled midstream due to issues with city water mains and infrastructure at the logical crossing point. An alternate route was quickly identified; however, the entire U.S. and Canadian Customs schemas would have to be reworked to facilitate multiple border crossing gateways. Juno’s teams worked globally to rework documents to enable a new routing.

The team’s agile response to this setback and collaboration with all stakeholders globally minimized delay and downtime and ensured the project’s success.

POL: Yokohama, JP / POD: Baltimore, USA
Cargo: Press Machines and Automation Line
Volume: 154 pieces, 2752 M3, 1168 MT, 62 Truckloads
Delivery Complete: 14 Feb, 2025
Installation Complete: 3 Apr, 2025

STMS LOGISTICS have success in Global Logistics

GPLN member STMS LOGISTICS is proud to announce a major accomplishment in international logistics! Recently, we managed the exportation of 35 Flat Rack containers for a high-impact United Nations project. This challenging endeavour involved transporting specialized cargo from Senegal to Uganda via the renowned Mombasa Port.
Project Highlights : Expert Handling : Loading and securing unique cargo onto Flat Rack containers with precision. Multimodal Expertise: Coordinating seamless transport across road, sea, and beyond. Cross-Border Coordination: Navigating complex customs and port procedures in multiple countries.
Timely Delivery: Ensuring secure transportation to the final destination in Uganda.

Every step of this project demanded careful planning, teamwork, and technical expertise. At STMS LOGISTICS, we’re dedicated to delivering innovative, reliable logistics solutions tailored to global challenges. A heartfelt thanks to our incredible team and trusted partners who helped turn this ambitious project into a success. We look forward to tackling more opportunities in the world of international shipping and supply chain management.

Furthermore, STMS LOGISTICS handled also a sensitive, high-priority shipments with utmost care and precision. We are delighted to share the successful completion of a vehicle shipment for an esteemed embassy, ensuring a seamless and secure process from start to finish.

Scope of Work : Customs Clearance : Facilitating smooth and efficient processing.
Secure Handling: Expert loading and securing of the vehicle into the container.
Transportation Expertise: Coordinating reliable inland and international transit.
On-Time Delivery: Ensuring safe arrival at the final destination.

Diplomatic shipments demand an extraordinary level of expertise, reliability, and attention to detail. Our dedicated team tackled every challenge with professionalism and excellence, showcasing why STMS LOGISTICS is a trusted name in global shipping.

With another shipment STMS LOGISTICS created a stress-free moving experience for their clients. One of our recent accomplishments involved managing the successful shipment of personal effects from Europe to Senegal, showcasing our dedication to precision and care throughout the process.

Key Steps in the Operation: Effortless Customs Clearance: Ensuring smooth and hassle-free import procedures.
Safe Transport: Handling goods with care and ensuring secure transit to their destination.
Convenient Door-to-Door Delivery: Providing maximum ease for our clients.
Professional Setup: Expertly offloading and placing items inside the client’s home.

From packing to final delivery, every detail was meticulously handled by our team to ensure the shipment arrived securely and seamlessly. This project highlights our commitment to excellence and our ability to meet even the most complex logistics needs.

Finally, STMS LOGISTICS played a vital role in ensuring our customer’s exhibition success in Dakar. Leveraging our logistics expertise, we managed every step of the process with precision and care, utilizing a 40′ open top container for smooth operations.

Highlights of Our Role: Swift Customs Clearance: Facilitating record-time clearance for a hassle-free start.
Careful Unloading: Using a crane to expertly handle the 40′ open top container, we delivered goods directly to the exhibition booth at the Diamniadio Center.
Post-Exhibition Expertise: Once the event concluded, we reloaded the goods with the crane, arranged lashing and securing inside the 40′ open top container, and finalized the carrier booking to ensure safe and timely delivery to their final destination.

This project required technical precision, efficient coordination, and a dedicated team to tackle the challenges of exhibition logistics. At STMS LOGISTICS, we are committed to providing innovative solutions that meet the unique needs of our customers. A big thank you to our team and trusted partners for their exceptional contributions!

MOHAB coordinate exceptional transport with Punto System

This transport by GPLN member Mohab Logistics from Tunisia was done in cooperation with GPLN partner Punto System from Italy. We assisted them for the exceptional transport of the cargo which was delivered under DAP to the Tunisian industrial site. The commodity was a combustion plant (dimension:12×3.35×3.98 m and 20 tons) and the scope of work was as follows:

Mohab inspected the cargo upon arrival and made sure to bring a surveyor to check the actual status of the cargo. We have then prepared all necessary documentation and arranged a mobile crane into the port of Rades to be able to handle carefully the combustion plant from the Mafi to the lowboy (semi-trailer). Our dedicated team followed closely the delivery up to the door of the customer and made sure of an excellent job at the final destination to unload the cargo at the industrial site of the customer.

Total Movements ship Critical Steel Plant Cargo

GPLN member Total Movements from India successfully executed a port-to-port shipment of more than 10,000 CBM of critical break bulk cargo from China to India for a Steel Plant project in India.

This shipment was secured amidst stiff competition after multiple rounds of bidding. This made the execution of the shipment all the more challenging.
Key highlights of this shipment: 1. Large volume in a single shipment / 2. Tight Deadline / 3. Excessive Diameter of cargo – in excess of 7 meters / 4. Congestion at ports of operation.

With detailed planning & close coordination, the shipment was delivered in a safe and timely manner. Kudos to all teams and partners involved for their excellent support and coordination! Moving Cargo with Passion!

Hanseatic Freight Contor handle Heavy Industrial Machine

GPLN member Hanseatic Freight Contor from Germany recently shipped a very big crate with an industrial machine, which had a dimension of 10 x 3.65 x 3.20 m and was weighing19.8 tons, from The Netherlands to South America.

Hanseatic had to wait for the permission from the authorities for quite a while due to its oversized dimension. When it got finally approved by them, it boarded the vessel in Antwerp/NL and travelled to Pecem/Brazil as a 40’FR OWOH without any further delay.