Features Breakbulk & Project Cargo
Ready for lift-off
Space race creating new opportunities for project forwarders
By Carly Fields and Felicity Landon
Increased frequency of launches, a rise of orbital servicing and the emergence of lunar cargo delivery are driving demand for space-related project cargo logistics models that are agile, compliant and technically robust, according to specialist forwarders.
Citing an analysis from McKinsey & Co. for the World Economic Forum( 2024 – 25), Marc Cowie, CEO for North America at specialist forwarder Trans Global Projects, said the space economy is undergoing a significant transformation that“ directly impacts the logistics of space components.” McKinsey, which projects the global space economy will reach $ 1.8 trillion by 2035, up from $ 630 billion in 2023, with an average annual growth rate of 9 %, nearly double the global GDP growth rate, emphasized that space is no longer a niche sector; it is becoming a ubiquitous enabler of terrestrial industries, including logistics.
This expansion is driven by several key factors, Cowie told the Journal of Commerce. These include declining launch costs, the proliferation of smaller, cheaper satellites; enhanced Earth observation capabilities, diversified investment with over $ 70 billion in private capital invested in space ventures during 2021 – 22, and sectoral integration.
“ For the logistics of space components, this means increased demand for specialized transport solutions, growth in multimodal and intercontinental operations, higher regulatory and compliance complexity, and opportunities in orbital and lunar logistics,” Peter Fritschi, Group COO at Trans Global Projects, told the Journal of Commerce.
As satellite constellations and orbital infrastructure scale, logistics providers must support more frequent, time-sensitive and technically complex shipments today. For tomorrow, emerging services such as in-orbit refueling, debris removal and lunar cargo delivery will require new logistics models and partnerships.
“ In short, the logistics of space components is entering a phase of accelerated growth and strategic importance,” Fritschi said.
Shift of focus
The logistics of space components has evolved both operationally and commercially. TGP has seen a shift from ad hoc, project-based shipments to a more structured and recurring flow of high-value, technically complex cargo.
“ Private logistics providers have adapted to this shift by developing multimodal solutions that accommodate oversized, sensitive and often confidential space hardware,” Cowie said.
“ The logistics of space components is entering a phase of accelerated growth and strategic importance.”
In a recent project, NATCO, part of the TGP group, coordinated the transport of custom-built containers for a nextgeneration European launch vehicle. These containers each held one-half of the rocket tip and were moved from Switzerland to a South American launch site operated by a European space agency. The shipments were part of a regular supply chain supporting both European and US space programs.
TGP USA, meanwhile, has supported a US space company by shipping large counterweights for rocket launchers from China to the US in moves that required coordination
Soaring growth in the global space economy will fuel demand for project cargoes such as rocket counterweights( pictured). Trans Global Projects
16 Journal of Commerce | December 2025 www. joc. com