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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.

Power Move : Barge Transport

De Mase Trucking* – Stand M06

This transport was particularly noteworthy because the units were far too large to move through the designated state routes, making barge transport the only viable option. Measuring 85 feet long, 15 feet wide, and 15 feet tall, and weighing 96,783 pounds each, the units required the use of 13-axle Perimeter Frame trailers to ensure safe handling. The move played a critical role in a larger energy and infrastructure project, as the units were essential in the production of batteries for Honda electric vehicles—an industry that supports the transition to cleaner energy and sustainable transportation. The transport required careful planning and coordination, with professional teams managing the complex process of loading and unloading the barge. Starting at the Port of Savannah, Georgia, the units were trucked to Monroe, Michigan, before being barged across to Windsor, Ontario, where they would contribute to advancing the electric vehicle sector. Visit website.

Mallory Alexander International Logistics* – Stand Q30

At Mallory Alexander, we take immense pride in our ability to handle complex freight-forwarding projects that span the globe. This particular project involved the safe transportation of large and heavy components from India to West Virginia, US. A total of 52 pieces, weighing 566 tons, were transported across the globe on an import ship.

Meticulous planning and precision were required to load such large and heavy items on a barge. With the components having traveled thousands of miles by sea, they arrived in Houston in need of expert handling. The Mallory Alexander Project Cargo team, including a team of experienced engineers, worked together to ensure that the cargo was loaded on the barge safely and efficiently to reach the final destination. Visit website.

ULOG ARGENTINA

In a groundbreaking logistics operation, ULOG Argentina executed the multimodal transport of 10 complete wind turbines from China to a renewable energy site in Bolivia. The most complex leg of the journey took place in Zárate, Argentina, where over 100 oversized components—including 77-meter-long blades and nacelles weighing up to 138 tons—were transferred from an ocean vessel to custom-adapted river barges for inland navigation across South America.

This operation marked the first time an entire wind farm was transported via the Paraná-Paraguay river system to Bolivia’s only operational river port. The barges were specially modified to handle the dimensions, weight, and fragility of the cargo. The project required 24/7 operations, advanced lifting and stowage plans, hot work on the barges, and full HSEQ compliance.

The decision to use river transport avoided high-risk road routes across the Andes, significantly reducing emissions, transit time, and logistics costs. Beyond its technical achievement, this project set a new regional benchmark for sustainable and strategic transport of renewable energy infrastructure.

ULOG’s execution highlights the potential of inland waterways in Latin America for heavy-lift logistics and demonstrates how innovation and collaboration can unlock efficient solutions in complex cross-border environments. Visit website.

UNIMAR AGENCIAMENTOS MARÍTIMOS

In late 2024, amid the worst Amazon River drought in over a century — with water levels in some areas reaching the lowest point in 120 years — our team was responsible for transporting RTGs (Rubber Tired Gantry cranes) to the state of Amazonas. These large, heavy units had arrived from China aboard ocean-going vessels and were destined for the Port of Manaus, located along the Amazon River and serving as the region’s main cargo hub.

Due to extreme draft restrictions caused by the drought, large vessels could not proceed upriver as usual. Although small barges are often used for container transport during low-water seasons, moving project cargo under such conditions posed unique challenges.

In collaboration with a local service provider, we employed a floating pier in Itacoatiara to perform a mid-river transshipment. On October 6th, the RTGs were offloaded and carefully transferred onto a smaller barge capable of completing the journey. The barge arrived in Manaus the next day, with delivery completed on October 7th.

The success of this operation highlighted the importance of local partnerships and agile planning in overcoming complex environmental obstacles — ensuring safe and timely delivery despite historic river conditions. Visit website.

*Breakbulk Americas 2025 Exhibitor