Welcome to Insights from the Inside, where we spotlight the experts at EIMC who bring strategy, clarity, and deep technical knowledge to every challenge! In this edition, we turn to Steve Iezzi, Marine Risk Manager, for a focused discussion on Project Cargo & Heavy Lift.
Q: How do you define Project Cargo & Heavy Lift?
A: Project Cargo & Heavy Lift is a term used to broadly describe the national/international transportation of a critical item to a project. Critical items are determined by being large, heavy, high value, or requiring an excessive lead time to be replaced if damaged/lost.
Q: What are the common risks associated with project cargo, and what best practices can companies adopt to manage the risks?
A: The most common risks associated with project cargo are physical damage during transit, unforeseen delays, or cost increases. The best way to manage these risks is pre-shipment planning. Pre-shipment planning can include route/site surveys, both inland and ocean, generating a method statement with lifting and securing drawings for every movement of the subject cargo, identifying the optimal shipping methodology, and effective communication between all parties involved in the movement of the subject cargo.
Q: How is technology playing a bigger role in Project Cargo & Heavy Lift?
A: Technology continues to play an increasingly important role in the safe transportation of Project Cargo & Heavy Lifts. It has been vital in creating a safer, more efficient, and cost-effective supply chain. Some of the more recent technological advances that have been seen in the shipping industry are automated cargo handling ports, drone assistance with route/site surveys, real-time tracking for better cargo visibility, and AI technology with vessel stability programs providing real-time data to help reduce risk of cargo damage.
Q: As AI becomes more common in logistics, where do you see the biggest opportunity for impact in Project Cargo & Heavy Lift?
A: The possibilities with AI in the Project Cargo & Heavy Lift industry are endless. Some of the biggest opportunities for impact could be weather monitoring for safer vessel voyages, route optimization for reduced transit times, efficient automated cargo handling equipment/ports, and proactive maintenance on vessels/trailers/equipment.