Dear Readers,
It is now September, and our monthly newsletter is here.
Since our latest newsletter on 15th of August, I have been busy having a whole range of medical check ups: MRI brain scan, prostate scan (important for men of a certain age), operation in my left hand for Dupuytren’s contracture, hip scan due to arthritis, and lots of blood tests. I have to admit that thanks to some great facilities here in Santiago, Chile such as the Alemana clinic (which resembles more of a 5 star hotel than a hospital), all the check ups have gone well.
But who likes to be in the hospital ? I certainly do not, just as I also dislike being in the dentist’s chair.
But there is something about getting older. We don’t know how it is as we’ve never tried it before, BUT we all know it is coming.
I was reminded in the month passed to REALLY TREASURE good health and do what I would like to do when I can, not when I can’t. Some personal friends of mine have gone through tragedies happening out of the blue. That is a constant reminder to take care, enjoy every day, and not always think about yesterday or tomorrow but in fact live your life TODAY!
Following the results of my August check ups, I am happy to say that it seems I am still able to continue with my newsletter once a month for the foreseeable future :).
Retirement is nice, but retirement without a purpose has indeed the opposite effect. I always try to compare retiring with landing an aircraft: it has to be gradual, steady, and not suddenly in one go. Many are the instances where people also in the logistics industry announce their retirement only to return after a month or two as no one can play golf all day long, read books all day long, or watch the grass grow…
As you know, we are in Project Cargo Weekly which indicates that we publish weekly. Yet, this has since been changed to once a month, and when I now think back, I can’t even imagine how it was possible to publish once a week. Hopefully, you feel that the once-a-month newsletter arriving in your inbox is worthwhile to read.
Shipping is more than ever in the throes of politics, not least because of global trade. It seems to some extent that the beauty of global trade is being rolled back. There are always winners and losers in global trade. Luckily, there will always be a need for logistics solutions and shipping lines who offer the possibility of getting your products to and from the markets.
What does shipping have to deal with at the moment? The Suez Canal has lost a huge amount of traffic mainly due to the rebels in Yemen who “bravely” shoot their missiles towards innocent ships and seafarers. The U.S. seems to be imposing huge fines on Chinese-built vessels calling U.S. ports. This, together with upheavals in tariffs, trade barriers and so on, does seem to be placing the free movement of global trade on the back-burner at least for a while.
The jury is still out but the world is A-Changing with the global south and BRICS countries now trying to counter the Western world. The wars are still raging in Ukraine and Gaza, and with some world leaders not really interested in what is happening to their countrymen in the field, it would seem that these horrible conflicts are bound to continue. The E.U. is trying to play a role in world politics & shipping, but alas, it is a toothless tiger and only seems to be able to increase the rules and regulations burden also on shipping. All the way to zero emissions? Yes hopefully, but more likely it is all the way to zero jobs, prosperity & freedom!
Still shipping & logistics is the best business there is, and with 45 years this year in this racket, I have never been happier. Just considering working in a bank, in the EU parliament, or in a shipyard, for example, reminds me to be happy about my lucky choice of career.
Thanks to my father, I got into shipping in 1980, and before I tell you what we’ve got in store for you today with respect to interviews, etc., I wish to share here a link for another successful Father & Son story—this time from India where FEI CARGO shows that it is indeed possible to prosper and develop a company through generations!
We have more in store for you this month, and here is the “MENU” for today. Hope you will have a “bite” of each:
1. HPL ONE in Dubai, UAE, a newcomer in shipping & logistics worldwide but with very experienced owners. |  |
2. G2 OCEAN in Singapore, a breakbulk shipowner of Norwegian origin trading worldwide. |  |
2. G2 OCEAN in Singapore, a breakbulk shipowner of Norwegian origin trading worldwide.
3. ARMARA in France, a coastal shipowner run by a former colleague of mine from the past, focusing on Intra Europe Breakbulk trade.
4. WANGFOONG in Singapore, originally established in Hong Kong, a logistics provider with Chinese roots.
5. TRANS OCEAN PROJECTS & LOGISTICS in Qingdao, China, a logistics provider established by a young and energetic woman in China.
6. TSCHUDI LOGISTICS in Sweden, a strong project freight forwarding company with offices not only in Scandinavia but also in Mozambique.
7. SLS (SPIRIT LINER SERVICES) established in Greece, the cradle of civilization.
We, of course, provide you with shipping news, trade intelligence, wise words and featured video and picture of the week. We also remind you to download our PCW mobile Application which being completely free of ads is nice to have, listening to interviews if you are out jogging or taking a walk.
We will be present at Breakbulk Houston from 30/9-2/10 (September 30 – October 2) at STAND G57. So do pass by and let us have a chat. See you again in the middle of October. Until then, wishing you safety, health, and happiness.
With best regards,
Yours sincerely,
Bo H. Drewsen
bo.drewsen@projectcargo-weekly.com
Video Interview
HPL One
Baris Sever, Global Head at HPL One – Interviewed by Bo H. Drewsen, Editor in Chief at Project Cargo Weekly.
G2 Ocean
Interview with
Mr. Edwin Peh, Project Cargo Director, Pacific & Global Capital Projects
&
Mr. Michael Morland, Project Cargo Director – Atlantic
For starters could you elaborate a little on the history and background of G2 Ocean?
G2 Ocean was established in 2017 as a joint venture between two of the world’s largest open hatch ship-owning companies — Gearbulk and Grieg Maritime Group. Since its inception, G2 Ocean has become one of the largest ship operators in the open hatch segment, managing approximately 120 vessels across more than 30 international trade routes.
Video Interview
ARMARA
Floris Schorsch, Founder and CEO of ARMARA – Interviewed by Bo H. Drewsen, Editor in Chief at Project Cargo Weekly.
Wangfoong Project Logistics
Interview with
Ms. Rae Choong
Managing Director
First of all, Rae, can you tell our readers about your career and background in logistics?
I have over 25 years of experience in logistics and supply chain management, with a particular focus on complex, large-scale projects in the energy and infrastructure sectors across the Asia-Pacific region. My background combines strategic planning with hands-on operational execution, allowing me to manage end-to-end logistics for high-value, oversized components such as wind turbines and power transformers.
Trans Ocean Projects & Logistics
Interview with
Ms. Susan Zheng
General Manager
Can you tell our readers about your career in shipping and logistics leading up to opening your own company?
In 2009, I joined the Martin Bencher Group and worked together with Mr. Bo H. Drewsen in Beijing. I started my career in the project handling area.
That was a fantastic experience—to learn and become familiar with the operating procedures and requirements of various ports. I used to live and work in Beijing, Dalian, Shanghai, Qingdao and Guangzhou, covering North China, South China and mid of China.
Video Interview
Tschudi Logistics
Mads Olsen, Deputy CEO at Tschudi Logistics Group – Interviewed by Bo H. Drewsen, Editor in Chief at Project Cargo Weekly.
SLS (Spirit Liner Services)
Interview with
Mr. Kimon Konstas
Managing Director
Who are the owners of the company, and when did you establish it?
The owners of Spirit Liner Services SA are myself and Mr. Mike Spyridakos.
Our company was established back in July 2023 when I had the opportunity and had returned from a short business cycle in Dubai.
USTR port fees to cost Cosco Shipping and OOCL $1.5bn in 2026
Editor’s Note:
Shipping and politics for sure are intertwined I think there can be no 2 opinions about that…someone will have to pay perhaps even the US consumer…
For Cosco Shipping using figures from Alphaliner that it has 86 ships calling US ports as of 1 August 2025 the company would be hit with estimated USTR port fees of $1.53 billion in 2026. Based on the assumption that OOCL accounts for 42% of Cosco Shipping’s Transpacific volumes and 50% of Transatlantic volumes, OOIL’s share of USTR port fees in 2026 would be an estimated $654 million.
However, Cosco Shipping and OOCL could look to reduce this exposure by with their alliance partners.
Commercial Freighter Runs Aground in Arctic En Route From China
Editor’s Note:
A route seldom taken and stranding or running aground can be precarious with nearby help. And lest not forget in pristine conditions so hope that profit doesn’t control it all although transit time is a lot faster…
A 173-meter long Dutch-flagged freighter, Thamesborg, has run aground in the Canadian Arctic en route from Lianyungang, China to Baie-Comeau, Canada.
The vessel was traveling through the Arctic via Canada’s Northwest Passage when it ran aground in the Franklin Strait, roughly half way through the NWP. The route is one of two main passageways through the Polar region, though it remains much less frequented than Russia’s Northern Sea Route.
Cargo ship involved in weapons deliveries from North Korea makes port call in Arkhangelsk
Editor’s Note:
Latest here from the “Barents Observer” about what is happening in the North of the world as it does have an impact on shipping too plus it is an interesting read! Who knows what goes on in Russia’s north, we don’t think they are there to save the environment :).
The 131-meter-long Maia-1 is under international sanctions for its transportation of weapons used in the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.
The Maia-1 has a shady history. In fall 2023, it was observed transporting containers between North Korea and Russia. According to international observers, the containers were filled with weapons and ammunition later used in the war against Ukraine.
FIATA 2025 World Congress
Editor’s Note:
Although not directly shipping news still FIATA is the largest I guess and most well respected organisation of freight forwarders worldwide. See here latest about their upcoming conference in Vietnam.
The 2025 FIATA World Congress will be held from 6-10 October 2025 in Hanoi, Vietnam. This is a major annual gathering that brings together leading professionals, thought leaders, experts and innovators from the logistics, transportation and freight industries.
Croatia’s HŽ signs €49m deal with Plasser & Theurer for new maintenance fleet
Under the agreement, Austria’s Plasser & Theurer will deliver nine machines to HŽ Infrastruktura within four years. These include a track levelling and alignment machine, a curtain prism cleaning machine, two machines for height and direction regulation of tracks and switches, two curtain prism planning machines, and three tipper wagons with conveyor belts.
Tamil Nadu secures Rs 3,201crore investment pledges in Germany push
Tamil Nadu has attracted fresh investment commitments worth Rs 3,201 crore during Chief Minister M K Stalin’s week-long visit to Germany, underscoring the southern state’s bid to cement its position as a hub for advanced engineering, clean energy and mobility manufacturing.
HiTHIUM to deploy 4GWh battery energy storage systems in Saudi Arabia
China-based energy storage solutions manufacturer HiTHIUM has secured a contract from the Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) to implement two battery energy storage system (BESS) projects with a combined capacity of 4 gigawatt hours (GWh), in the northern provinces of Tabuk and Hail, Saudi Arabia.
GameChange Solar expands into New Zealand with Bright Fern Energy’s Dannevirke Solar Farm
The 23 MWp utility-scale project marks a key milestone in GameChange Solar’s footprint in Oceania, expanding its tracker presence into a new geography with locally adapted solutions. Bright Fern Energy is a cornerstone customer for GameChange Solar in the New Zealand market.
Playful Dolphins in the Bay of Biscay
Editor’s Note:
A light moment here with some footage taken when I was passenger in June on mv UHL FABLE from Malaysia to Denmark. In the Bay of Biscay besides having a reputation for bad weather what I didn’t know that dolphins at least on this day just prior to entering the English Channel were plentiful. Smaller versions than the dolphins seen in the Atlantic though (probably the fault of Trump too.. :).
Editor’s Note:
Seen in the Port of Rønne, Denmark in June a giant offshore wind turbine installation vessel (www.cadeler.com)… with 115 meter long blades onboard, imagine being able to lift them onto the wind turbine towers
