DP World Drives Breakbulk Efficiency in Europe

Mark Rosenberg, CCO (ports and terminals) and EVP (Northern Europe) at DP World, discusses how the global port operator is tackling infrastructure limitations and supply chain disruptions with major investments in port automation, facility upgrades, and multimodal connectivity to keep cargo moving seamlessly across Europe.

Q: Can you provide an overview of DP World’s terminal operations in Europe, particularly in relation to breakbulk?

MR: DP World operates one of Europe’s most connected logistics networks. Across our 14 inland terminals, strategically located in key economic centres in the UK, Belgium, France, Germany, Serbia, Switzerland and Romania, we offer our breakbulk customers robust and flexible solutions tailored to their cargo needs.

From precision-engineered motorsport components to oversized energy equipment, we move complex cargo of all shapes and sizes with speed, safety and efficiency – without the need for disassembly. In the UK, for example, our highly trained “load and lash” and “discharge” teams tailor breakbulk services for each customer, with maximum lifting capacities of 95 tonnes at London Gateway and 76 tonnes at Southampton.

In Romania and Türkiye, we have specialized expertise in handling sensitive cargo with bespoke equipment, advanced storage and smooth multimodal onward transport, along the entire Danube River. Wherever we operate, our focus remains on moving breakbulk cargo faster, further and with less friction​.

Q: What are some of the main challenges faced by breakbulk cargo customers transporting cargo to and from European ports?

MR: Moving breakbulk across Europe isn’t always simple. Over-dimensional cargo – whether that’s wind turbine blades, oil rigs or gigantic equipment – requires specialized infrastructure, safety procedures and transport routes. Weather can also have an impact where high winds and heavy seas can delay vessel arrivals, complicate lifting operations and halt port activities altogether. Port congestion and infrastructure constraints add further pressure. For example, the closure of Holyhead Port in Wales at the tail end of 2024 due to the damage from Storm Darragh resulted in significant delays, compounded by cost and capacity pressures at nearby ports in the busy Christmas period.

These disruptions can have a huge impact on industries, like automotive, that operate on a just-in-time model. Any disruption and disconnection between centers of production and assembly points can ripple across an entire supply chain. By providing deep expertise, agile multimodal connections and seamless terminal handling, we are helping our customers navigate this complexity with confidence – keeping cargo and business moving.

Q: Can you share examples of recent or upcoming infrastructure upgrades at DP World facilities in Europe that are designed to support breakbulk handling?

MR: As breakbulk demand grows, we are taking a proactive, customer-first approach to breakbulk handling. That’s why we are investing in infrastructure across our European network to enhance operations today and futureproof them for tomorrow.

In the UK, our £1 billion expansion at London Gateway includes two new all-electric berths, designed to boost capacity and sustainability. New equipment, including Mafi (roll) trailers, will support safer and more efficient handling of large and heavy cargo. In Romania, our Constanta terminal is set to receive two new Liebherr LHM 600 cranes by the end of this year, which will significantly enhance our lift capacity there. Meanwhile in Türkiye, we’ve developed specialized frames for complex cargo lifting, tailored to the demands of different shapes, sizes and sensitivities. These upgrades are part of our broader commitment to smarter logistics and a more resilient and sustainable supply chain​.

Q: What role does automation play in improving safety and speed in breakbulk cargo handling, and how is DP World investing in this area?

MR: While breakbulk remains a people-led process due to its complexity, smart technology is helping us raise the bar on safety and speed. DP World is at the forefront of this evolution, offering platforms like SeaRates.com and CARGOES Flow to optimize planning, routing and scheduling. Our Digital Surveyor app enables real-time remote cargo assessments, boosting visibility, reducing manual inspection risks and accelerating clearance. Together, these tools drive transparency and efficiency, ensuring that every step of the breakbulk process is safe, agile and precisely executed. It’s how we deliver peace of mind for customers around the globe.

Safety for frontline workers is a key priority, and we’ve introduced a range of innovations – from systems that enhance safety at height to tools that reduce risk for truck drivers. Our seamless coordination with shipping lines also enables the fast processing of documentation relating to worker safety, such as lifting certificates. These measures are making a real difference – across our European terminals, we have achieved a 40% reduction in injuries. This progress reflects our ‘Safe Together’ approach, which strives for zero harm to our employees, contractors and the wider communities in which we operate.

Q: How is DP World enhancing multimodal connectivity such as road, rail, and inland waterways to shorten transit times across Europe?

MR: End-to-end connectivity is key to help supply chains flowing. That’s why we offer a fully integrated multimodal network across Europe, linking ports with road, rail and river transport to move cargo faster and reduce carbon emissions.

We give customers flexible options to move breakbulk cargo quickly and cost-effectively. In Romania, our Constanta terminal connects directly to highways and the Danube, where our Rubiships fleet moved 122,000 tonnes of project cargo in 2024. Also in the country, our Aiud terminal extends DP World’s reach into Europe’s rail network, while combined barge-truck options add agility.

In March this year, we were excited to launch our European Control Tower in Bucharest. This marks a major step forward in delivering end-to-end efficiency. By coordinating multimodal operations, reducing hand-off delays and enabling predictive planning, the Control Tower helps us streamline lead times from factory floor to final destination across Romania, Moldova, Serbia, Türkiye and beyond. The result: faster, more sustainable, and more transparent cargo movement across the continent.

DP World will be exhibiting at Breakbulk Europe 2025.

Top photo: Cranes at the Rotterdam terminal. Credit: DP World
Second: Mark Rosenberg. Credit: DP World