This week on Project Cargo Professionals, we head to Kolkata, India, to speak with Nilesh Sinha, Director of Procam Group and a member of The Heavy Lift Group, our Association Partner.

With more than 15 years in the business, Nilesh offers a candid view of what it takes to operate in India’s fast-evolving project logistics sector. He explains why succeeding here requires not only technical skill, but the mindset of a philosopher — and the patience of a psychologist.

From the challenge of balancing timelines and client expectations, to the ongoing modernisation of India’s ports and hinterland infrastructure, this episode explores the complexity and opportunity of working in the world’s most populous democracy.

🎧 In this episode:

• Why logistics in India is often a test of temperament as much as skill
• The current state of infrastructure and digitalisation
• The potential for large-scale heavy lift barge operations in India
• Why transparency, process and people are more important than price
• How Procam approaches partnerships with both global and local players
• What Nilesh believes international clients often misread about India
• And why — when it works — the impact is visible in the lives of everyday citizens

For more content, visit Project Cargo Professionals.

🌎 Supported by The Heavy Lift Group, our Association Partner

Founded in 1987, The Heavy Lift Group is an international network of companies specializing in heavy lift and project cargo operations. Its 70+ members offer combined know-how, skills, experience and innovation to manage transportation needs of any scale, including the largest and most complex multimodal projects. As a quality-driven group, each member is carefully selected to ensure the highest standards of professionalism, reliability, and expertise across the network. THLG unites a diverse range of industry specialists—including cargo aircraft operators, specialized hauliers and crane operators, equipment and technology manufacturers, as well as freight forwarders, ship brokers and vessel owners. #PowerinUnity

In this episode of Project Cargo Professionals, host Luke King goes Down Under to talk to Frank O Mueller—better known in the industry as "FOM"—to explore his journey from Hamburg to Brisbane and his 25-year career with AAL Shipping. From surviving Brisbane’s muggy summers to steering a multipurpose fleet through global disruption, Frank offers insights into leadership, customer trust, and the thinking behind AAL’s new Super B-Class vessels.

You’ll hear why AAL chose to stick with its liner service during the COVID-19 pandemic while others pivoted and how their in-house engineering team designed new ships to meet oversized cargo challenges. Whether you're moving 50 tons of steel or building a future-proof fleet, this conversation highlights the role of long-term thinking, customer relationships and the importance of trust in the project cargo world.

🚢 Topics Covered:

· The origins of the “FOM” nickname and why it stuck

· Life in Brisbane and AAL’s decision to base there

· Lessons from sticking to trade lanes during COVID

· The story behind AAL’s new Super B-Class ships

· Designing vessels with wind blades, barges, and open-hold operations in mind

· The complex path to decarbonising shipping

· Why trust and transparency still matter in a digital world

· Frank’s leadership style—and his career highlight

For more content, visit Project Cargo Professionals.

🌎 Supported by The Heavy Lift Group, our Association Partner

Founded in 1987, The Heavy Lift Group is an international network of companies specializing in heavy lift and project cargo operations. Its 70+ members offer combined know-how, skills, experience and innovation to manage transportation needs of any scale, including the largest and most complex multimodal projects. As a quality-driven group, each member is carefully selected to ensure the highest standards of professionalism, reliability, and expertise across the network. THLG unites a diverse range of industry specialists—including cargo aircraft operators, specialized hauliers and crane operators, equipment and technology manufacturers, as well as freight forwarders, ship brokers and vessel owners. #PowerinUnity

Recorded in Basel, Switzerland, this episode features Sandro Lepori, Director of Industrial Projects at Fracht, and a longtime logistics leader with former roles at ABB and Alstom.

Known for his understated style and extensive industry experience, Sandro reflects on a career at the heart of major global projects — and the lessons he’s learned about leadership, planning, and the power of respecting your team.

In this episode:

· Why logistics is still underestimated by procurement and engineering teams

· The case for putting quality ahead of cost

· Building trust with service providers

· What true leadership looks like in the field

This is a rare conversation with one of the industry's most quietly respected figures.

For more content, visit Project Cargo Professionals.

🚢 Powered by Varamar 🚢

Varamar Shipping specializes in bulk, breakbulk, heavy-lift, and oversized shipments, and is a trusted carrier to and from Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. At Varamar, massive structures like wind turbines or entire factories are a day-to-day business and, as a semi-liner carrier, they can offer tailor-made solutions, calling wherever and whenever you need them to.

With offices in 13 countries, including recent openings in Asia, they’re bridging the East-West gap. A multilingual team fluent in languages from English and German to Arabic and Chinese means communication is seamless.

In this episode of Project Cargo Professionals, we speak with our first shipper guest — Agustin Harriague, Vice President of Logistics at Mitsubishi Power Americas.

From 600-metric-ton gas turbines to last-minute site changes, Agustin knows what it takes to deliver in the complex world of power generation logistics. His message to logistics service providers is clear: stop trying to do it all.

We talk about:

· The danger of pretending you can handle every project

· What shippers actually want from forwarders and heavy haulers

· Why he values creativity and transparency over big claims

· Mentoring the next generation of logistics professionals

· Making project logistics more attractive in the age of AI and TikTok

· How a sabbatical year changed his career path forever

Whether you're a seasoned forwarder or just entering the world of project cargo, this one is packed with valuable insight from the client perspective.

For more content, visit Project Cargo Professionals.

🚢 Powered by Varamar 🚢

Varamar Shipping specializes in bulk, breakbulk, heavy-lift, and oversized shipments, and is a trusted carrier to and from Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. At Varamar, massive structures like wind turbines or entire factories are a day-to-day business and, as a semi-liner carrier, they can offer tailor-made solutions, calling wherever and whenever you need them to.

With offices in 13 countries, including recent openings in Asia, they’re bridging the East-West gap. A multilingual team fluent in languages from English and German to Arabic and Chinese means communication is seamless.

Elisabeth Cosmatos didn’t just inherit a logistics company — she re-invented it.

In this episode of Project Cargo Professionals, recorded in Thessaloniki, Greece, we speak with the CEO of Cosmatos Group and President of The Heavy Lift Group (THLG). From juggling NATO calls in her first job to steering the business into project cargo and heavy lift, Elisabeth shares how language, adaptability, and persistence helped her take the company to the next level.

We discuss:

· Why speaking English landed her on the frontlines of military logistics

· How she built Cosmatos’ reputation in project cargo

· The cultural dynamics of leading in Greece

· How woman can succeed in a male-dominated industry like logistics

· What it takes to keep a global network like THLG thriving

This is a story about planning beyond the plan, getting on with the work, and trusting your voice.

00:58 Meet Elizabeth Cosmatos

01:39 Exploring Thessaloniki

03:35 Greek Cuisine and Culture

07:58 Thessaloniki Port and Its Importance

13:00 Challenges and Changes in Project Cargo

15:19 Greece's Economic Recovery

19:06 Family Business Dynamics

34:00 Gender Bias in the Industry

40:26 The Heavy Lift Group

For more content, visit Project Cargo Professionals.

🚢 Powered by Varamar 🚢

Varamar Shipping specializes in bulk, breakbulk, heavy-lift, and oversized shipments, and is a trusted carrier to and from Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. At Varamar, massive structures like wind turbines or entire factories are a day-to-day business and, as a semi-liner carrier, they can offer tailor-made solutions, calling wherever and whenever you need them to. With offices in 13 countries, including recent openings in Asia, they’re bridging the East-West gap. A multilingual team fluent in languages from English and German to Arabic and Chinese means communication is seamless.

With over 40 years in the freight business and two company exits under his belt, Bo Drewsen has seen the logistics industry from just about every angle — and he's not done yet.

In this episode of Project Cargo Professionals, Bo joins host Luke King for a candid conversation on what it takes to scale a project freight company, sell it successfully, and then start again — this time with a different mission. Now the founder of two freight forwarding networks, CLC Projects and Cross Ocean, Bo is connecting independent forwarders around the world while keeping a sharp eye on the state of the shipping industry.

From landing a 600 flat-rack deal against global giants to riding container ships as a passenger, Bo shares real lessons about trust, timing, and the personal toll this business can take.

🎙️ Topics Covered:

• Bo’s early days in Aarhus (and why he almost became a journalist)
• Founding Martin Bencher and winning big in China
• The post-exit pause — and what it taught him
• Why he built two global networks (and how they really work)
• The threat to independent forwarders from carriers and credit-heavy tenders
• Bo’s no-BS advice to anyone trying to build in freight

00:00 Introduction to Customer Service

00:10 Meet Bo Drewsen: Career Overview

01:01 Early Career and Martin Bencher Formation

04:23 Scaling Martin Bencher

06:25 Challenges and Successes

08:53 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

13:45 The Network Era

19:13 Reflections and Future Outlook

29:00 Closing Remarks

For more content, visit Project Cargo Professionals.

🚢 Powered by Varamar 🚢

Varamar Shipping specializes in bulk, breakbulk, heavy-lift, and oversized shipments, and is a trusted carrier to and from Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. At Varamar, massive structures like wind turbines or entire factories are a day-to-day business and, as a semi-liner carrier, they can offer tailor-made solutions, calling wherever and whenever you need them to. With offices in 13 countries, including recent openings in Asia, they’re bridging the East-West gap. A multilingual team fluent in languages from English and German to Arabic and Chinese means communication is seamless.

In this episode of Project Cargo Professionals, recorded in Basel, Switzerland, Luke King interviews Ruedi Reisdorf, owner of Fracht, to discuss the history of Fracht, industry consolidation, and Ruedi's views on company acquisitions and growth - without borrowing money.

He shares personal anecdotes, his strategy for maintaining a company's culture following acquisition, and his thoughts on the future of project freight forwarding. The episode also touches on Fracht's expansion into different markets, its involvement in the wind and oil industries, and the company's sponsorship of Inter Miami FC featuring Lionel Messi.

00:36 Meet Ruedi Reisdorf: The Man Behind Fracht

01:06 The History and Growth of Fracht

03:10 Navigating Family Business Dynamics

04:07 Expanding Beyond Switzerland

08:42 Strategic Acquisitions and Market Insights

12:21 The Importance of Company Culture

19:24 Investing in Future Technologies

23:39 Sponsoring Inter Miami FC and Messi

27:03 Future Plans for Fracht

36:10 Final Thoughts and Farewell

For more content, visit Project Cargo Professionals.

🚢 Powered by Varamar 🚢

Varamar Shipping specializes in bulk, breakbulk, heavy-lift, and oversized shipments, and is a trusted carrier to and from Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. At Varamar, massive structures like wind turbines or entire factories are a day-to-day business and, as a semi-liner carrier, they can offer tailor-made solutions, calling wherever and whenever you need them to. With offices in 13 countries, including recent openings in Asia, they’re bridging the East-West gap. A multilingual team fluent in languages from English and German to Arabic and Chinese means communication is seamless.

19 years in the military taught Kevin O'Sullivan discipline and structure, but he made the leap into construction and logistics and then went on to lead a management buyout of Mammoet’s southern Africa operation, now Tembo. In the first episode of Project Cargo Professionals, Kevin explains how he got started in heavy lift, how we bought a bit of Mammoet and why he’s never looked back.

For more content, visit Project Cargo Professionals.

🚢 Powered by Varamar 🚢

Varamar Shipping specializes in bulk, breakbulk, heavy-lift, and oversized shipments, and is a trusted carrier to and from Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa. At Varamar, massive structures like wind turbines or entire factories are a day-to-day business and, as a semi-liner carrier, they can offer tailor-made solutions, calling wherever and whenever you need them to. With offices in 13 countries, including recent openings in Asia, they’re bridging the East-West gap. A multilingual team fluent in languages from English and German to Arabic and Chinese means communication is seamless.