b'46American Journal ofTransportation ajot.com(COMPLIMENTScontinued from page 43) our projects. effects. For instance, weve seen the impact of incidents efficiencybutalsoopensavenuesforsharedsuccess.AJOT:The equipment used in Project Logistics isin the Red Sea on the transpacific trade lane, largely due While the benefits of these connections are often clear,often highly specialized to enable oversized loads. Anto vessels being repositioned. These ripple effects can some of the most significant advantages are less appar- interesting example occurred earlier this year (Febru- complicate logistics and require us to develop strategic ent. Our ongoing advancements in digital technology, forary2024)whenGeodisdeployedan Antonov AN-124solutions to ensure that our customers remain on schedule example, would be challenging to achieve in isolation. freightertotransportoversizedfreighttoColombia.while managing costs effectively.A key focus for us is rightsizing or scaling our opera- Could you describe the moves involved in the project andAJOT:Whatchangesintheprojectindustry tions effectively. We dedicate considerable time to analyzingthe process involved in deploying such a large aircraft?have had the most impact on the day-to-day business? market trends, identifying which segments are experiencingMace: Over the Christmas week of 2023, we under- How have the dynamics of the logistics business itself growth or decline, and balancing opportunities in the short,took a significant project involving the transportation of 249impacted logistics? There is considerable discussion on medium, and long term. This proactive approach helps uspieces of oversized cargo to southeastern Colombia. Ourhow AI will impact logistics but how might AI have an maintain stability within our team and ensures we remaininitial plan was to use the La Orqudea Bridge in Boyac;impact on Project logistics?competitive in a constantly evolving landscape. however, after its collapse in August 2023, we were left withMace: Over the past decade, one of the most sig-AJOT:Approximately,howmanypeopleworkno viable road transport options. This challenge prompted usnificantshiftsIveobservedistheincreasingamount directly under the Project Logistics segment? to quickly devise an alternative solution. oftimededicatedtothecomplexitiessurroundingthe Mace: We currently employ slightly less than 1,000Thesuccessoftheprojecthingedonmeticulousphysical movement of cargonot just the act itself. We full-timeemployeesacross36countries.ThisfigureplanningbetweenGEODISandAntonov.Afterthor- invest considerable effort in compliance measures, striv-excludes shared resources within the Freight Forwardingough assessments, we identified the Antonov AN-124 asing to create a zero-harm environment, and theres been a Line of Business, such as Finance and Human Resources,the only aircraft capable of handling the cargos excep- heightened focus on sustainability in recent years.allowing us to focus on our core activities dedicated totional size and weight requirements. The operation wasThis brings us to the role of AI. As part of our com-driving our business forward. executed impeccably, and were pleased to report that themitment to digitalization, weve heavily invested in AI AJOT: While sharing the transportation element, bycustomer was very satisfied with the outcome. technologies. While I dont believe we can fully auto-its nature, the Project business is considerably differentAJOT: Globally, what are the prospects for projectmate the movement of true heavy lift cargo, there are than other logistics activitiesprojects take a long timemarket. What are the prospects for business segmentscertainly aspects where data can enhance our operations. to develop, and logistical support can go on for a consid- like O&G (LNG projects have been on the rise but will itFor example, utilizing predictive analytics allows us to erable period.What are some of the unique challengescontinue?), renewables (particularly with current energyimprove planning and optimize logistics, ultimately lead-involved in Project Logistics as compared to standardtransition) and capital projects (US Infrastructure Billing to more successful outcomes.transport and logistics operations?and other sovereign investment)? Mace: The Project business is a perfect complementMace: This is the question we all contend with: where to the General Cargo activities of the GEODIS Group.should we invest our time and resources? As previously(HIGHcontinued from page 43)If the sales cycles are longer for projects, the fact thatmentioned, there are numerous variables to consider, andThenewmulti-yearshippingandlogisticsagree-projects have a firm start and end date provide better vis- sometimesthefocusshouldbemoreongeographicalment commences on December 1, 2024, and is valued at ibility. When the project activity includes risks which arelocations than on specific industry segments.approximately $766 million, based on expected volumes not as critical within General Cargo, the rewards are alsoThe power industry, for instance, is experiencing sig- over the five-year period. The company said rates are higher. And, in terms of activity cycles, projects tend tonificant growth and is set to continue investing globally.in line with current market levels and that the agree-peak at the top of the curb of general cargo and thus sup- Conversely, sectors such as military and defense, as wellment includes a partnership on decarbonization, whereby port a smoother landing. ashumanitarianefforts,arealsogrowing.Navigatingthe customer agrees to pay for the phase-in of green and What makes the project activity different is the needthese trends requires careful consideration of both marketrenewable fuels.to consistently look a step ahead. While executing currentdynamics and regional opportunities to make informedStrengthening our long-term partnership with a key projects, we need to be identifying and preparing for theinvestment decisions. high and heavy customer, the agreement reflects the custom-next opportunities. AJOT:The supply chain has faced several recenters need to secure predictable long-term ocean capacity and Keepinganeyeonindustrysectordevelopmentstrials with the Houthis attacks in the Red Sea and Panamacommitment to decarbonizing their supply chain, says Pia iscrucial.Forinstance,werecurrentlyexperiencingCanal low water diversions being the most notable.HowSynnerman, chief customer officer at Wallenius Wilhelmsen. growth in sectors like Carbon Capture, Hydrogen, anddo such challenges impact project logistics? This renewed agreement complements the existing logis-Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) all unknown toMace: Asdiscussedearlier,Projectplanningandtics and digital supply chain scope we currently provide us a few years ago, while we see other more traditionalbudgeting are defined well in advance. Events such as thethem globally, including our integrated service offering, sectors decline in terms of portfolio share. diversion of cargo around the Cape of Good Hope havewhereby we manage product and information flows along Factors such as geopolitical issues, government regu- therefore a significant impact on project logistics sincethe entire outbound supply chain, from their factories to lationsincluding tariff modificationslocal infrastruc- they extend transit time, limit available capacities andports in destination regions.ture, compliance standards, project funding, and currencyincrease costs. Our mission is to assist our customers inHeadquartered in Oslo, Norway, the Wallenius Wil-stability all play significant roles in our planning. Thesemeeting their construction deadlines while mitigating thehelmsen group operates around 125 vessels servicing 15 variables can be complex and are not always immediatelycosts impacts. Its vital to recognize that you dont havetrade routes to six continents, a global inland distribution apparent, yet they are vital to the successful execution ofto be directly in the vicinity of disruptions to feel theirnetwork, 66 processing centers and eight marine terminals.'