Dear Readers,
It is time for me to once again write an editorial and publish Project Cargo Weekly, October edition 2025.
In the past month, I have mainly been busy here in Santiago, Chile but also have done some traveling. I attended Breakbulk Americas in Houston. I flew up there September 28 and returned October 3. We had a luncheon at Pappadeux which was well attended, with some 70 people enjoying, networking and mingling. One thing comes to mind from the lunch, and that is the size of portions. The cheese cake alone (for dessert) would have been enough to fill me up. Perhaps next year, we will start with dessert :).
The expo itself was a success. We had a booth there, and indeed it was worth it. In the featured video of this issue, you will see what I mean. The overall mood was tip top, and everyone seemed happy to meet each other.
I flew with Delta Airlines via Atlanta to Houston, and it worked well. I was in economy comfort, and it does make a difference to sit in a 2-seater row compared to 3- or 4-one. Naturally, the cost is different but being 62 and with toilet calls becoming more frequent, it is better to bother fewer people.
Here is a small collageof a few pictures from the lunch and the expo to give you an idea!
I am, as you know, following politics.
Here, in Chile, there will be an election in November by the way. So, perhaps, more on that as it unfolds.
But at the moment, I am looking in amazement at Europe and countries like France, the UK, etc. and their inability to police a narrow strait of water from illegal migration. Where is the Royal Navy? Or is it because the ECHR has become politically active making it unable to return some of them to their country of origin, and they are unwilling to take their citizens back?
This year, 35000 illegals crossed the channel. Housing, work, health? There seems to be a wave of people coming into Europe who are fed up with a political class who won’t listen. And no, (mainstream media I mean you) not everyone protesting on the street is a right wing populist. Some unbiased reporting or perhaps better courses in journalism at the schools where they are educated should be implemented.
Trump seems to have made the impossible possible by leaning on the parties in the Middle East to at least start the 1st phase of a peace deal between Israel and Gaza. I think this time we cannot “blame” Trump. On the contrary, PCW at least says “well done” to him.
In world affairs as I mentioned before, the EU is a paper tiger. The only real tigers seem to be the Siberian one, the Manchurian one… and perhaps the Indian one if you know what I mean (besides the US, of course).
If the peace deal holds water, so to speak, then the Suez Canal will reignite and the “brave” Houthis will hopefully pack their weapons. However for the shipowners, it will mean a lot more competition as transit time will be shorter, and with the oceans abounding with cargo vessels, rates will plummet. Still, it is good for the environment, and as we all know, the “Green Religion” is the one and only for many nowadays.
On a personal note, I should share something with you. In Houston, I was nursing a hangover at IRMA’s Texas Ave. I was staying across the street at the Cambria Hotel (excellent rooms by the way). I was coming out of the hotel and turning right. Suddenly a huge “boom” from the building across the street sounded, followed by the smashing of glass seconds later. Some 30 meters or so away from me, some of the building’s exterior wall fell to the street. It was a reminder to appreciate life and enjoy every moment since we never know what is around the corner. Luckily, I had the possibility to steady my nerves with a few more drinks. This time it was a viable justification for another drink! See more about that event here…
Turning to the purpose of PCW, I have been active in getting what I would call high quality interviews with a variety of shipping & logistics for you. Here is the menu for this October issue:
| 1. Ahlers Logistics in Hamburg. A Belgian-owned midsized logistics company active worldwide. |  |
| 2. Absolute Logistics, Denver, Colorado. A small logistics company with incredible projects in the Atacama Desert of Chile (among others). |  |
| 3. Ulog, part of the huge Latin America-based Ultramar Group. We speak to them in Argentina. |  |
| 4. United European Car Carriers (UECC), owned by Wallenius/NYK, based in Zeebrugge. A provider of European roro vessels for projects with high & heavy cargo. |  |
| 5. Tschudi Logistics in Finland. A Norwegian-headquartered group with a strong brand name. |  |
| 6. Supply Chain Management Outsource (SCMO), Hong Kong. A very interesting talk with Nicolas De Loisy – a consultant representing top notch brands in AI, Cargo Delay Insurance. |  |
So indeed, an interesting bunch of relaxed and personal interviews that may enlighten you wherever you are.
By the way, on another note, what we need to remember is that both railway transport (see shipping news) and also airfreight are part of the total logistics chain. So if you happen to be in Singapore towards end of the month, don’t forget to pop by the following expo.
We, of course, provide you with shipping news, trade intelligence, wise words and featured video and picture of this issue.
I wish everyone a great time, health and happiness, and above all safety. Please remember to ENJOY life. We never know (luckily so) what’s around the corner!!
With best regards,
Yours sincerely,
Bo H. Drewsen
bo.drewsen@projectcargo-weekly.com
Video Interview
Ahlers Logistics
Julian Kurz, Business Development Manager (Western Europe) interviewed by Bo H. Drewsen, Editor in Chief at Project Cargo Weekly.
Video Interview
Absolute Logistics
Ms Carmen Garbison, Director of Int’l business at Absolute Logistics, Denver, Colorado interviewed by Bo H. Drewsen, Editor in Chief at Project Cargo Weekly.
Video Interview
Ulog
Mr. Dardo Van Megroot, Manager at Ulog Argentina interviewed by Bo H. Drewsen, Editor in Chief at Project Cargo Weekly.
Video Interview
United European Car Carriers (UECC)
Mr. Sven Jansen, General Manager High & Heavy & Network Development at UECC, Zeebrugge, Belgium interviewed by Bo H. Drewsen, Editor in Chief at Project Cargo Weekly.
Video Interview
Tschudi Logistics
Anselm Valtonen, Managing Director at Tschudi Logistics Finland interviewed by Bo H. Drewsen, Editor in Chief at Project Cargo Weekly.
Video Interview
Supply Chain Management Outsource (SCMO)
Mr. Nicolas De Loisy President of SCMO, Hong Kong interviewed by Bo H. Drewsen, Editor in Chief at Project Cargo Weekly.
Railways Africa NewsXpress: Week 40:2025
Editor’s Note:
It is not often we write about railway transportation however with cargoes needing to move inland in many parts of the world this latest from Railway Africa Magazine may be interesting for you!
Engineer Joster Imbuchi on Standards, Interoperability, and the Legal Foundations of Africa’s Railway Future.
Ship Involved in Russian Weapons Deliveries is on the Way to Svalbard
Editor’s Note:
Latest from the Northern parts of the world as you know a lot is happening in the “Arctic” from using the Northern Sea Route more and more but also from a geostrategic point of view interesting for shipping overall.
The Kapitan Yakovlev set out from Murmansk on September 8 and is expected to arrive in Barentsburg in the course of the next couple of days.
The vessel is owned and operated by the Northern Shipping Company, which has been under US and Ukrainian sanctions since May 2022.
The Loadstar Podcast | Beyond the buzz: How AI is Changing Customs and Logistics
Editor’s Note:
Loadstar has a lot of interesting news including podcasts on subjects such as AI. This one might be interesting for shipping and logistics people too. What it might mean for us ?
In this episode of The Loadstar Podcast, host Charlotte Goldstone dives into the world of artificial intelligence in logistics and customs with two industry insiders: James Coombes, co-founder and CEO of Raft.AI, and Michael Douglas, customs technology consultant at ALS Customs Services.
Together, they unpack the reality behind the AI buzz – what’s hype, what’s real, and what’s already transforming global supply chains.
Trump Threatens 100% Tariffs on Chinese Goods (Again)
Editor’s Note:
Politics is intertwined with shipping and latest from the “tariff” front mainly between the US and China…it surely will impact shipping too.
US President Donald Trump announced on Friday, October 10, that the United States plans to impose a 100% tariff on all imports from China, effective November 1, 2025. The move comes in response to China’s planned expansion of export controls on rare earth elements. The new tariffs, if implemented, would be in addition to any existing duties on Chinese goods, and creates a new wave of uncertainty for the global trade.
Qair Seeks European Financing for 298 MW of Solar in Tunisia
French independent renewable power producer Qair is seeking EUR 54 million (USD 62.9m) in financing from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to advance two solar projects in Tunisia with a combined capacity of 298 MW.
China’s SoleFiori to Build 6 GW HJT Solar Module Factory in Saudi Arabia
SoleFiori signed a deal to set up a 6 GW heterojunction (HJT) solar module plant in Saudi Arabia, supplying high-efficiency panels tailored for desert conditions.
Jinko Secures Federal Green Tick for Solar and Battery Project
A subsidiary of Chinese PV technology manufacturing giant JinkoSolar has been given the green light by the Australian government to develop a 134 MW solar farm with up to four hours of battery energy storage in the New England region of New South Wales.
Pacific Green Secures State Approval for 2.5 GWH Energy Park
British-owned energy company Pacific Green has secured Victorian government planning approval for what is set to become the state’s biggest yet battery energy storage park.
Breakbulk Americas 2025
Editor’s Note:
Breakbulk Americas in Houston at the George R. Brown was a great event! Enjoyed it fully and with parties, meetings allround it was indeed a marvel to behold. A short video clip here from the floor… Note Atlas Heavy booth among others!
Editor’s Note:
Your editor here with good friends from Coli Shipping at the PCW hosted luncheon at Pappadeux, Houston during breakbulk. A great event with 70 attendees during lunch but also the overall expo was superb!
