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There will be no Breakbulk Americas Awards in 2026. We look forward to celebrating outstanding energy projects and the teams, companies, and partners behind them in 2027. In the meantime, we invite you to connect with the global breakbulk community at Breakbulk Americas, taking place September 22–23, 2026, in Houston, Texas. Register here.

Best Logistics Strategy for an Energy Project

COLI SHIPPING

COLI Shipping successfully transported a 280-ton transformer from Betim, Brazil, to a power plant in Antofagasta, Chilea complex, 70-day operation. The journey began with an overland leg to Rio de Janeiro, requiring a 36-axle beam widened to 7.5 meters for stability. Facing permit delays, COLI expedited critical documentation, securing oversized transport licenses in just 30 days. The 42 day Brazilian leg included escorts, urban interventions, and detailed coordination.

At the Port of Itaguaí, the cargo setup was too large for direct access, requiring disassembly and repositioning. When the original vessel failed to arrive, COLI arranged a substitute ship on short notice, maintaining the timeline. Port congestion posed another risk, but strong relationships ensured priority berthing.

After 15 days at sea, the cargo reached Chile. The final overland stage faced rugged terrain and tight curves near the destination, requiring transfer to SPMTs for maneuverability. Despite multiple challenges, the transformer arrived intact and on schedule. This operation highlighted COLI Shipping’s technical expertise, agility, and strategic planning—turning a monumental logistical task into a successful international delivery. Visit website.

Erhardt Projects USA* – Stand K12

Erhardt Projects USA’ Energy Unit has managed a major transportation operation from Spain to New York State for the country’s largest state-owned public power organization, a leader in promoting energy efficiency and electric transmission initiatives, with 16 generating facilities and more than 1,400 kilometers of transmission lines.

7 power transformers of 132 tons each have been successfully transported, in a single shipment, from the port of Malaga in Spain to a major substation in upstate New York.

The key to the success of this project lies in having our team on site one month prior to the transport operation, studying the area, selecting the best port of entry and determining the most suitable transport option for the cargo we had to manage. Visit website.

Luminary Logistics Solutions* – Stand E40

Transformer Transport from Brazil to Oregon: A Model for Complex Energy Logistics

This project, led by Luminary Logistics Solutions in partnership with Prolec GE Brazil, delivered two 465,000+ lb power transformers and accessories from Canoas, Brazil to a critical energy switchyard in Boardman, Oregon. The multimodal strategy spanned over 9,000 miles and included truck, barge, ocean vessel, and specialized overland transport with jack-and-slide installation.

What made this move stand out was the proactive response to major disruptions—including severe flooding in Southern Brazil, unexpected U.S. site construction delays, and enhanced regulatory hurdles from Oregon DOT. Pre-modeled contingency plans allowed the team to reroute inland transport to an alternative port, activate interim storage, and secure engineering approvals without impacting the customer’s schedule.

The project required close coordination between over a dozen stakeholders across two continents, including port authorities, heavy-lift carriers, engineers, and end-users. Digital planning tools, scenario modeling, and centralized project oversight enabled seamless communication and real-time problem-solving.

This move showcases the value of strategic foresight, multimodal expertise, and global-local integration—hallmarks of best-in-class logistics for today’s energy sector. Visit website.

RAMPS LOGISTICS

Meet MAWI—the AI-powered breakthrough that’s redefining how energy projects move across borders. Built entirely in-house, MAWI is more than just software. It’s a smart customs automation platform that eliminates manual data entry, ensures regulatory compliance, and flags licensing requirements before cargo even leaves the port of origin.

Trusted by multiple energy companies across Trinidad, Guyana, and the region, MAWI has helped businesses save millions of dollars by making smarter decisions about how imported goods are categorized. In the past, many items were labeled in ways that triggered high import taxes—sometimes up to 20%. MAWI uses AI to analyze how the item will actually be used, often identifying more accurate classifications that qualify for little to no tax. This not only leads to major cost savings, but also helps shipments clear customs faster and avoids penalties for incorrect paperwork.

MAWI is built on the World Customs Organization’s Harmonized System and is fully localizable to any country’s tariff structure and import regulations. Whether upstream or downstream, conventional or renewable, MAWI is setting a new global standard for digital customs execution.

For energy companies navigating complex, high-stakes, cross-border logistics, MAWI delivers what legacy systems can’t: speed, accuracy, and substantial cost savings—powered by AI. Visit website.

TRT International* – Stand G20

From December 2024 to early 2025, our team executed the end-to-end logistics strategy for Project Crosstown, delivering 196 battery storage units for Sungrow’s energy infrastructure development in Maine. This included two different types of batteries, each requiring separate handling protocols. We managed the full supply chain—from port drayage and warehousing to final-mile coordination—with zero demurrage or delays.

Daily coordination was critical: the receiving site sent us the exact delivery sequence each evening, and I adjusted the dispatch plan accordingly. We moved an average of 12 trucks per day, with each driver receiving a personalized packet of routing details, permits, and compliance instructions. Our proprietary logistics system ensured real-time tracking and documentation of each unit’s journey.

A major challenge occurred when the on-site crane failed during a busy delivery window. After promptly communicating with the site manager, I proposed rerouting all 12 trucks back to our staging facility to avoid unnecessary wait times and added costs. The customer agreed with the strategy, trusting our judgment and responsiveness. Once the crane was operational, we resumed delivery without any delays.

The success of Project Crosstown has led to our continued involvement in multiple new Sungrow projects, reflecting our ability to deliver reliable, strategic. Visit website.

*Breakbulk Americas 2025 Exhibitor