On February 11th and 12th, CMA CGM attended the Breakbulk Middle East tradeshow, the first tradeshow of the year dedicated to breakbulk industry. The right moment to sit with Stéphane Berninet, who leads the CMA CGM Project Cargo division, to learn more about these often-unrecognized cargoes and how thinking outside the box often means thinking like there is no box.
Hello Stéphane, first of all, can we take a look at the activities of the Project Cargo Division within CMA CGM Group?
SB: Throughout the years Project Cargo Division has successfully handled numerous oversized cargoes and develops the sharpest expertise on any Breakbulk and OOG project. We have a dedicated team that works closely with the lines, operations and sales teams, as the increase in Breakbulk loads for 2018 illustrates, 12% growth in volumes. To provide our customers the best solutions for their oversized shipments, our team is expanding to answer their needs, especially here in the Middle East area.
And what shipments are we talking about?
SB: CMA CGM is involved in all industrial segments driving project cargo volumes, Yachting & Boating, Energy sector, Renewable, EPC, Transportation (rail, aviation, heavy trucks ..), Mining, various heavy industries for all kind of oversized and heavy lift cargoes.
Our decades of experience in the loading of oversized cargoes are reflected in their diversity, we embrace each challenge with an absolute passion.
A diversity that implies unique needs for everyone... what can a customer who calls on Project Cargo Division expect?
SB : Collaboration, Communication, Expertise and an unshakable Can-do attitude!
What you need to know is that through the contract, there is a dedicated Project Cargo Manager delivering our customers with tailor-made consulting, planning, budgetary and execution of ocean transportation for their project cargoes.
As single point of contact he supervises all aspects of the contract, from initiation to completion, working closely alongside lines, operations, local agents, shipping partners and trusted suppliers to guarantee the customer solutions and results that meet his expectations, within the expected time frame.
How are these results guaranteed?
SB: It is above all a team effort between Project Cargo Division, shipping line and port operators who are doing a remarkable job of bringing to fruition the projects on the 200 shipping lines proposed by CMA CGM on board its 509 vessels and for handling solutions with its 420 terminals operated. Our customers are able to predict the departure and arrival dates of their oversized cargo and even if a delay were to occur, they know that they could load their cargo the following week: this is an undeniable advantage when compared to other oversized modes of transportation.
CMA CGM attended Breakbulk Middle East, what does the Middle East market represent for Project Cargo Division?
SB: Breakbulk Middle East is the place to connect with executives from leading EPCs, oil & gas and petrochemicals project owners, logisticians, who are moving cargoes throughout the Middle East and around the world ; CMA CGM’s presence in this event confirms our commitment to project cargoes and our position as a leading ‘container’ carrier in that segment.
It remains paramount raising our visibility, exposing our expertise in non-standard transportation, strengthening relationship with our current partners and customers, reaching out and engaging new customers to containerize their project cargoes from multipurpose and project carriers to container vessels highlighting them the competitive advantages of the container lines.
It is expected that Middle East will need high volumes of project cargo and by the way shipping services.
There’s a certain energy coming from the GCC and Middle East, projects still largely revolve around oil and gas, but it doesn’t paint the whole project cargo picture, infrastructure is getting a big boost too, investment increased in clean, green and renewable energy sources, mainly with solar and nuclear power projects, interest in wind projects is on the rise.
CMA CGM will be present at Breakbulk Asia in Shanghai on March 20 and 21st, the perfect occasion to meet our dedicated teams, stay tuned!
