Dear Readers,
It’s the 3rd Thursday of the month, the 16th of April, and we are here with your monthly newsletter containing in-depth interviews, news from around the world, and an editor’s view on the current shipping situation (and other things).
I arrived in Europe two weeks ago via London Heathrow which was as busy as ever. Seldom do you have an empty seat beside you on any flight. Sometimes before boarding you think, “Ah, this time the flight isn’t going to be full.”, but only a few minutes after boarding, you find that it is choc-a-bloc.
I flew Santiago-London on British Airways. When selecting which airline to fly you have several choices. Yet, these days, given the war in the Middle East, the thought crosses one’s mind about your flight potentially being a terrorist target. If the country of your airline choice “supports” the war, some group may want to “make a statement” using your flight. So, it is always with some apprehension these days that you fly, but naturally, you can also be run down by a car or simply be in the wrong place at the wrong time. We must trust that those in charge of security external (and for Europe’s part internally) know what they are doing. Europe has indeed welcomed many that don’t necessarily share whatever we can call “democratic” or “European” values.
Anyway…the service on British Airways was ok as far as Y class goes. I was in the back at 33C. Nowadays, I always take an aisle seat. It is easier as I need to visit the rest room more often given the age. Getting out from a window seat in a 3-4-3 configuration when the passenger in front has the seat pushed back is an exercise in itself. Quite a few simply push back their seat without even checking behind first. The “me, me, me” generation has indeed arrived, and the entitled who care for no one else are also plentiful in numbers now.
Well, as they say, “Monkey see, monkey do.” So if our politicians look after themselves and their cronies, why shouldn’t we, so to speak?
In Sweden, for example, we claim that we are corruption-free. OK yes, we are likely better than some countries in Southern Europe. However, nepotism and “employment due to relationship or member of the correct political party” gets you not only a “stay out of jail free” card but also guaranteed employment—even if you screw up big time. Hardly any posting in Sweden at any major government institution is based on merit, capability and skill. That is, at least, how it seems to the average person in the street. If there is a scandal with embezzlement of funds or simply sheer incompetence, no one ever seems to be held accountable. sStill as Mao said once, “In the cleanest water live no fish.”, and this is likely true even to this day.
Normally, I also comment on shipping. My overall comment would be that shipping is really difficult now.
The war in the Middle East rages on. The Russian shadow fleet is piling up in the Baltic Sea and can’t access the Russian oil terminals due to drone attacks. Threats to close both the entrance to the Red Sea and now the Strait of Hormuz has made innovative solutions paramount. These include land transport across Saudi Arabic and then shipping out from Jeddah or other ports.
Forwarders are complaining that once again, some shipping lines are making sure to arbitrarily increase the war risk fees and surcharges to the maximum, with scant regard for any inkling of customer service or long-term thinking. ”Grab and go” shipping lines seems to be the order of the day now.
In the U.S., there is the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to whom you might complain. As far as I know, the E.U. has nothing similar and certainly no authority that has any teeth. Like the guy said in one of the Bourne movies, “Why don’t you book a conference room? Perhaps you can talk this guy to death…” (if you get my meaning).
Let us all hope that the war is over soon, and short of a few (as usual) winners who are in the right spot at the right time, we can believe there are only losers— none more so than the average person trying to make a living.
In this April edition of Project Cargo Weekly, we’ve got some interesting interviews in place for you:
| 1. UNITED HEAVY LIFT (UHL) – Hamburg, Germany A reputable heavylift shipowner. |
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| 2. LASO – Mozambique An inland hauler and heavylift specialist in the interior and south east corner of Africa. |
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| 3. MARGUISA SHIPPING LINES – Spain A shipowner with vessels calling the African continent regularly. |
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| 4. CFF WORLD TRANSPORT – Australia An Australian freight forwarder. |
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| 5. SEAWAY AGENCIES – New Zealand A local RORO shipping agent representing global carrier Hoegh Lines. |
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| 6. ASCE – Ecuador A versatile project freight forwarder in a country famous for the Galapagos Islands among other things. |
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We, of course, provide you with shipping news, trade intel, featured picture and video of the month as well as wise words. We also remind you to download our APP which is advertising-free and smart to use when you are on the go.
We will publish again on the 21st of May.
With the hopes that your Spring holidays were enjoyable,
We remain,
Yours sincerely,
Bo H. Drewsen
bo.drewsen@projectcargo-weekly.com
Interview
United Heavy Lift (UHL) Gmbh, Hamburg, Germany
Interview with
Mr. Andreas Rolner
CEO
First of all, Andreas, tell our readers if you will, a little about your career in shipping. Why did you decide to enter into this line of business, and what do you particularly like about being in shipping?
Shipping has always been a part of my DNA.
I grew up in a shipping family and environment. As children, my siblings and I accompanied my father and mother on various business trips around the world. We were exposed to different cultures and countries from a very young age. This has definitely shaped me. I have always been drawn to the international aspect of the business.
Video Interview
LASO – Mozambique
Interview
Marguisa Shipping Lines – Madrid, Spain
Interview with
Mr. Andrés Cadenas
Container Liner Service Manager
First of all, Andrés, can you tell us about how and when you started your own career in shipping leading up to your current position in Marguisa?
I started in shipping in roles that forced me to learn the business where it really matters: execution, customer trust, and the discipline behind documentation and operations. Very early on, I realized that shipping is not about promises. It’s about delivering, day after day, under real constraints.
Over time, I moved into leadership positions combining commercial ownership with operational accountability. Building solutions, managing complexity, and aligning multiple teams around one outcome.
Video Interview
CFF WORLD Transport
Hubert Igbinoba, Managing Director at CFFWORLD Transport was interviewed by Bo H. Drewsen, Editor in Chief at Project Cargo Weekly.
Interview
Seaway Agencies – Auckland, New Zealand
Interview with
Mr. James Dawson
National Manager
For starters, James, can you tell our readers a bit about the history of Seaway Agencies? I understand that your scope is mainly to represent shipping lines and related tasks? Where do you have offices at the moment?
Seaway is a privately-held Australian group of companies headquartered in Melbourne, Australia. Founded in 1999, Seaway is now a diverse group with activities encompassing Shipping Agencies, Seafreight, Airfreight, Projects and more. In New Zealand we have offices in Auckland and Tauranga while in Australia the group has offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Seaway also has an office in Shanghai, China.
Interview
ASCE Ecuador
Interview with
Ms. Violeta Pesantes Caputi
General Manager
How do you view the year of 2026 businesswise?
Businesswise in Ecuador, 2026 is shaping up to be a year of structural challenges with moderate growth, marked by the need for competitiveness, resilience in the face of insecurity, and digital transformation. Although favorable performance is projected for exports (shrimp, bananas, cocoa) and the mining industry, pressures persist due to the high fiscal deficit and pre-election political uncertainty.
I think this will be a good year to work.
Asia Pacific Freight Report by Dimerco
April 2026
Editor’s Note:
Dimerco a large Taiwanese shipping and logistics group often have good reports on current market level. You may find it interesting to read.
Global PMI indicates continued expansion, but growth momentum is moderating as demand softens and cost
pressures remain elevated. Supply chains are showing signs of strain, with longer delivery times and cautious business sentiment amid ongoing uncertainty.
India Growth News – Week 13
Editor’s Note:
And we continue with informative newsletters that we know contain valuable intel. here from samsara india growth news from the worlds 4th largest economy. india/eu signed the mother of all trade deals (or so they say) and no doubt some production due to political reasons will be shifted from china to india.
Chennai is poised for a major upgrade in its logistics infrastructure, as the first phase of a large multi-modal logistics park on the city’s outskirts approaches completion. Operations at the facility are expected to commence shortly, marking a key milestone in the region’s supply chain evolution.
The project is designed to streamline freight movement across southern India by integrating road, rail, and warehousing infrastructure within a single hub. This seamless connectivity will enable efficient cargo transfers across transport modes, reducing transit times and improving overall logistics efficiency.
Learning to Kill with a Drone is Now on Murmansk School Curriculum
Editor’s Note:
The newsletter Barents Observer tells a story about the Arctic in particular Russia and its development. One can also note that some Russian ships were damaged by drones sent from Ukraine. It would seem that drone use is the new kind of war, sadly it also impacts shipping worldwide. Not least the situation in the Persian Gulf etc.
The regional Ministry of Education organised courses for teachers on drone operation, according to the Russian edition of the Barents Observer. The training was conducted in cooperation with VOIN, a military youth organisation, and took place at the Governor’s Lyceum, a school established by regional Governor Andrei Chibis.
Bunker Costs Push Intra-Asia Freight Rates up 10% as Gulf Disruption Bites
Editor’s Note:
Bunker prices are up and no more so than also in Asia to the detriment of all. Read latest here from loadstar, which perhaps already will be old news by our time of publishing…
The role of bunkers in freight rates has finally crossed into the intra-Asia market, with average rates rising by 10% over the past fortnight.
Drewry’s Intra-Asia Container Index showed that as of Friday, rates averaged $675 per feu, excluding terminal handling charges.
The largest gain was seen in the Shanghai-Singapore rate, which increased 18% from 13 March, to $746 per feu. This was followed by the Busan-Shanghai rate, which went up by 13%, to $53 per feu.
Recharge Power Secures 20 MW Energy Storage Deal to Expand Presence in Japan
Recharge Power, a key subsidiary of J&V Energy Technology, has taken a major step forward in Japan’s energy storage market by securing a new order for a 20 MW / 80 MWh battery energy storage system. The deal was signed with a Japanese energy storage investor and reflects the company’s growing role in supporting the country’s clean energy transition.
JinkoSolar Signs 14MW Ground Power Plant Agreement in Georgia, Featuring Tiger Neo 3.0 Modules
JinkoSolar has recently signed a 14MW ground power plant supply agreement with a customer in Georgia, adopting Tiger Neo 3.0 modules for the entire project. This agreement not only reflects the Georgian market’s strong recognition of JinkoSolar’s technological strengths but also serves as further proof of the value delivery of JinkoSolar’s N-type TOPCon technology in achieving higher power generation returns worldwide.
Indorama to Build Fertilizer and Chemical Plant in Egypt
Indorama Corp. (Singapore) announced the signing of a contract to establish a major phosphate fertilizers and chemicals complex in Egypt, with an initial investment of US$525 million.
Orascom Construction Consortium Signs PPA for 900 MW Wind Farm in Egypt
Egypt – Orascom Construction PLC (ORAS) has signed a power purchase agreement (PPA), in consortium with Aeolus and ENGIE, with the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC) to develop a 900-megawatt (MW) wind farm near Ras Shokeir in the Gulf of Suez, Egypt, as per an emailed press release.
Arriving Cape Town Onboard MV Bright Sky
Editor’s Note:
Amazing always to arrive at cape town this time from the seaside so to speak. mv Bright Sky of https://www.macship.com/ of which I was a passenger 3 years ago. I originally visited Cape Town by vessel in 1968 onboard mv Thyra Torm on charter to Kline. Enjoy this footage.
Editor’s Note:
The Grenaa, Denmark bulk terminal is proactive. A small port which by rights should have been the real no. 1 container port in Denmark decades ago is having full activity with both storing oil rigs as well as loading/discharging bulkers.
