Breakbulk Middle East Interviews and Testimonials

Hear from past exhibitors and attendees on how Breakbulk Middle East facilitates conversations around the ongoing challenges within the industry and the solutions being brought to the forefront.

2026 interviews

Al Barrak: Navigating Global Trade Through Geopolitical Volatility

Akshay Anand, Group CEO of Al Barrak Group, explains how organizational agility and resilient leadership are essential to sustaining trade flows amid geopolitical uncertainty. He highlights the importance of flexibility, empowered frontline teams, and grassroots innovation in identifying alternate routes and solutions. While AI supports data optimisation and efficiency, he notes it remains an enabler rather than a replacement for labor-intensive maritime operations.

Almajdouie & De Rijke: Future-Proofing Onsite Logistics Through Automation

Ather Ali Khan, Commercial Director at Almajdouie & De Rijke, discusses the company’s evolution toward full automation and its commitment to building sustainable onsite logistics infrastructure across Saudi Arabia and Oman. Established two decades ago as a joint venture, the company handles around 15 million metric tons annually, supporting industrial and petrochemical plants with bulk handling and warehousing solutions. By integrating early-stage optimization studies, rail innovations, robotics, and AI-driven automation, Almajdouie & De Rijke is designing future-ready logistics systems built to withstand the next 25 years of technological change.

Bob Cranes: Expanding Heavy Lift Fleet Across the Middle East

Hear from Raj Kumar as he outlines Bob Cranes’ expansion strategy to meet rising demand across construction and energy sectors. With a fleet of over 400 units - including mobile cranes up to 800 tons and crawler cranes up to 1,600 tons - the company supports major heavy-lift projects across the region. Following strong UAE growth, Bob Cranes has expanded into Saudi Arabia with more than 20 units deployed, while transitioning to a corporate structure to support its growing operations.

Cargoland International: Championing Visibility for Women in Global Logistics

Tuna Hazar Avci, CEO of Cargoland International and founder of the Logifem Society Network, highlights the need for greater visibility and professional support for women in logistics. Drawing on 14 years of industry experience, she explains how Logifem-the first women-only network for freight forwarders-creates a platform for mentorship, leadership visibility, and collective strength. Alongside leading Cargoland’s global freight forwarding operations, Avci advocates for resilience, representation, and ensuring women secure their deserved seats at the decision-making table.

Combi Lift and Sinopec: Pioneering AI and Collaborative Innovation

In this interview, Mohammad Jaber, CEO of Combi Lift Project Logistics MEA, discusses the launch of the “Community for Future Thinkers” and the industry’s shift toward a more collaborative, technology-driven model. Highlighting Sinopec’s AI-enhanced 14,000-tonne ring crane, he underscores how innovation, cross-sector partnerships, and sustainable solutions such as zero-emission port technology are reshaping the future of project logistics.

Trust Fuels Business at DHL Industrial Projects

Leslie Meredith speaks with Peter Dudas, VP and Head of Industrial Projects MEA at DHL Global Forwarding, about the shifting global industrial landscape in 2026. Reflecting on a record-breaking year, Dudas explains how tariffs and geopolitical uncertainty are reshaping supply chains and driving production relocation to the Middle East. He highlights growth in renewables-from wind and solar to battery storage-alongside emerging investment in markets like Libya and Syria, emphasising that long-term partnerships are built by owning challenges and solving customer problems when the unexpected occurs.

Maersk Project Logistics With Rafael Vicens: Africa's Critical Minerals

Leslie Meredith speaks with Rafael Vicens, Vice President IMEA at Maersk Project Logistics, about how the global energy transition is reshaping Africa’s logistics landscape. With the continent holding around 30% of the world’s critical mineral reserves, Vicens highlights rising demand for cobalt, copper, lithium, and platinum, and the growing competition among Chinese, Western, and Gulf investors. He discusses Africa’s shift toward local refining and processing, the strategic importance of the Lobito Corridor, and Maersk’s role as an integrated logistics partner supporting long-term, sustainable trade infrastructure.

UAE Logistics Industry 50 Years in the Future With MFC

Laurance Langdon, General Manager of Modern Freight Company (MFC), reflects on the company’s legacy as it approaches its 50th anniversary in 2027, emphasising that trust and human relationships remain at the heart of logistics. He highlights the UAE’s long-term vision, from AI and port expansion to sustainable energy investments, as key to its position as a global trade hub. With decades-long client partnerships and deep regulatory expertise, MFC continues to serve as a reliable local partner in a region known for stability and forward-thinking growth.

Movers: Navigating Dynamic Markets Through 24-Hour Vigilance

Capt. Erkut Keles, Deputy Chartering Executive at Movers, discusses how the company remains competitive in a constantly shifting market through resilience and round-the-clock operations. Specialising in both multipurpose heavy lift carriers and large bulk vessels, Movers monitors global conditions 24/7 across the Far East and Atlantic regions to manage volatility. Since its founding in 2021, the company has built a strong worldwide trading presence, while recognising the growing importance of regional hubs such as Dubai in the global shipping landscape.

Global Project Logistics With PSA BDP

Leslie Meredith speaks with Thaddeus Joymon, Global Head of Projects & Heavy Lift Operations at PSA BDP, about managing end-to-end heavy lift operations across six global regions. Based in Dubai, Joymon explains how early-stage involvement-during EPC bidding and route surveys-helps mitigate bottlenecks before projects begin, ensuring seamless delivery to even the most remote sites. He also reflects on PSA’s full acquisition of BDP and the company’s continued growth across oil and gas, renewables, defense, and chemicals, supported by a strong global footprint spanning LATAM, North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Greater China, and the India-Middle East corridor.

Western Saudi Arabia: A New Frontier for Project Opportunities

Lars Greiner, CEO of Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT), discusses how the company is positioning itself at the center of industrial transformation on Saudi Arabia’s West Coast. Moving beyond traditional terminal operations, RSGT is supporting the development of specialized manufacturing hubs and growing export volumes in the region. With new projects including crane production in Jeddah and automotive facilities for Kia and Lucid, the company is driving a shift from primary to secondary manufacturing—while improving operational efficiency across its multi-purpose terminals through standardized processes and enhanced technical staffing.

Varamar: Seizing Opportunity from Adversity in a Volatile Market

Niraj Mehta, Managing Director at Varamar, discusses how the company has transformed market disruption into growth through flexibility and strategic thinking. Under his leadership, Varamar has evolved from a specialised operator into a vessel owner, expanding into new global trade routes despite volatility in traditional lanes. With eight long-term period ships under management and further tonnage under construction, the company continues to scale its global footprint.

Women in Logistics: Increasing Female Leadership in Operational Roles

Gayatri Nair reflects on her participation in the Breaking Barriers panel at Breakbulk Middle East, highlighting the need for greater female representation in core logistics and field operations. She stresses that real progress requires visibility and consistent action to move more women into technical and decision-making roles. Nair also emphasises the value women bring to workforce management and the impact of small, consistent professional advocacy in shifting industry norms.

WR Logistics: Capitalizing on the Middle East’s Project Cargo Boom

Miguel Salas, CEO Spain at WR Logistics, discusses the company’s strategic expansion into the Middle East, highlighting the region’s vast infrastructure and energy developments as key growth drivers. While long established in CIS countries, WR Logistics is now strengthening its physical presence in the Gulf to support evolving demand across oil and gas, renewables, and large-scale infrastructure projects. By partnering closely with Spanish EPCs and capital goods manufacturers, and adopting a customer-following strategy, the company is aligning its expansion with client project locations across the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

2025 Interviews

"As an exhibitor and a platinum sponsor, I would say Breakbulk Middle East is an amazing experience, it's a unique place where people with a lot of knowledge are in one place, with potential for business growth. It was a great event."

Gjorgji Milenkovsk Managing Director Gateway Logistics

Hear from Paul Smith, Head of Project Logistics – IMEA Region at Maersk, as he discusses how Maersk is expanding beyond container shipping by focusing on key verticals: renewable energy, oil and gas, mining, and infrastructure. He highlights the company’s strategic growth in India, the Middle East, and Africa, where shifting trade dynamics and rising energy demands are creating new opportunities. With direct asset access and specialized expertise, Maersk is positioning itself as a full-service project logistics provider in these critical sectors.

Paul Smith Head of Project Logistics - IMEA Region Maersk

Eduardo Garcia Rodriguez, CEO LATAM of WR Logistics, highlights the company’s deep specialization in EPC (Engineering, Procurement & Construction) logistics, offering end-to-end solutions from consulting to full project execution - unlike traditional forwarders. Now expanding into Saudi Arabia and Dubai, WR Logistics is positioning itself at the heart of the region’s infrastructure, energy, and transport boom, making this a prime time for growth in the Middle East.

Eduardo Garcia Rodriguez CEO LATAM WR Logistics

Husam Al Zaghal, Managing Director of Sea Bright Ship Management, discusses the company’s rapid growth and ambitious expansion in marine management, ship agency, and vessel repair. With a fleet of 20+ vessels, Sea Bright is advancing through new technology, service expansion, and acquisitions. Husam highlights the role of client feedback, regulatory leadership, and Breakbulk Middle East in their success, positioning the Dubai-based company for even greater growth.

Husam Al Zaghal Managing Director Sea Bright Ship Management

Sue Donoghue, CEO of DHL Global Forwarding Saudi Arabia, discusses the scale and complexity of Saudi Arabia’s giga projects and DHL’s role in enabling them with innovative logistics - from advanced warehousing and digitalisation to sustainable solutions. DHL is investing over €500 million in Saudi Arabia and the UAE by 2030 to expand capacity, modernize infrastructure, and support Vision 2030, meeting the demand for smarter, faster supply chains ahead of major global events like the World Expo.

Sue Donoghue CEO DHL Global Forwarding Saudi Arabia

Peter Rondhuis, CEO of Roll Group, highlights the enormous demand for heavy transport in the Middle East - so high that even with two new ships joining the fleet this year, it’s still not enough. However, the uncertainty around future fuels has put additional newbuilds on hold. Rondhuis shares his insights on the industry’s biggest challenge: will the future of shipping be ammonia, methanol, or even nuclear? And how long can companies afford to wait before making a move?

Peter Rondhuis CEO Roll Group

Dmitrij Hasenkampf, General Manager at RTSB, discusses the company’s debut at the event and the rising importance of rail transport in the region. He highlights RTSB’s expertise in containerised and oversized cargo, expansion into the GCC, and new opportunities from rail infrastructure growth. Hasenkampf also emphasizes rail’s resilience, sustainability, and its role in reducing geopolitical and supply chain risks, especially along the Middle Corridor.

Dmitrij Hasenkampf General Manager RTSB

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