Engineering, Procurement and Construction Breakbulk & Project Cargo
Cultural lag
Slow-moving digitalization threatens project sector progress: EPCs
By Felicity Landon
The slow pace of digitalization in the“ super cautious” breakbulk and project logistics industry means engineering, procurement and construction( EPC) firms could be risking excess costs, more waste and less efficiency, according to EPC executives.
A traditional mindset, difficulty gaining access to meaningful data and a lack of understanding around real-time large data transfers and analytics are among the factors holding back progress in a project logistics sector already heavy with fragmentation.
“ As an industry, we don’ t use data as effectively as we could,” said Andy Young, corporate manager of logistics at Bechtel Global Logistics.
Describing digitalization as a“ risk topic,” Young said
the first challenge is getting the data from logistics services providers.
“ It’ s better if you’ re clear with them what you want the data for and how you intend to use it,” he said.
Second is understanding how to handle real-time large data transfers— for example, what software and / or platform to use.
“ Also, integration with freight forwarders’ systems seems to be advanced, but not so with other logistics service providers,” Young said.“ Being able to standardize and consolidate data across multiple logistics services providers, multiple projects and modes of transport brings benefits.”
Some project cargo forwarders allow portal access to their transportation management systems( TMSs), and some agree to data transfer.
“ Credit to them,” Young said.“ They have been at the forefront of digitalization in logistics and their wider supply chain service offerings.”
Fragmentation stymieing progress
Brandy Aurich, vice president / global head of strategy at freight forwarder DHL Global Forwarding Industrial Projects, told the Journal of Commerce that industry
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SEE US AT BREAKBULK AMERICAS, BOOTH D14 portlc. com www. joc. com September 2025 | Journal of Commerce 13