Using Tech To Tackle Breakbulk Bottlenecks

By Luke King

Digital transformation in project logistics has shifted from future aspiration to present-day necessity, as complex cargo movements increasingly demand enhanced speed, visibility and collaboration across the supply chain.

Industry leaders gathered at Breakbulk Americas for a panel exploring how real-world digital tools — powered by AI, IoT and automation — are helping project logistics teams solve persistent bottlenecks, from oversized cargo permitting to port-side coordination.

Session moderator Steven Todd, executive vice president at ProMiles Software Development Corporation, opened with a sobering reminder that technology adoption requires caution.

He recounted a tragic incident where a driver of an oversized load, facing permit delays and pressure to meet deadlines, relied on truck navigation technology that failed to accurately detect overhead clearances. The resulting collision with a bridge structure killed a young father and led to a vehicular homicide conviction.

“All technology is good to some degree, but we need to be cautious on our end,” Todd said. Despite such cautionary tales, panelists agreed that digital transformation has become essential for an industry facing mounting pressures.

Rajendra Achanta, vice president at Infyz, noted that specialized cargo handling creates unique challenges. “The expectations have increased a lot in this market, and people are looking for Amazon-like visibility,” he said. “The second point is, how do you collaborate effectively with multiple stakeholders?”

Kevin Kwateng, founder and CEO of Project Logistics in Canada, described the tension between government and manufacturers demanding increased capacity and an industry struggling to meet those demands with existing resources.

“This is where technology is able to play a role because with the same amount of people, the same amount of equipment, we’re able to do more, we’re able to become more efficient,” Kwateng said.

“The second part is really in terms of communication. How can we gather information? How can we then share that with different stakeholders and make sure that it’s communicated in a clear and effective way so that we can take decisions faster and more effectively to reduce the risk?”

Todd warned that government agencies are rapidly advancing their own technological capabilities, with states preparing to deploy automated systems that measure loads, capture DOT numbers and detect bridge strikes. “If for no other reason, up your game, because the government’s about to up their game,” he said.

From the shipper perspective, Gautham Krishnan, global category manager for logistics at Fluor, emphasized how multiple touchpoints across lengthy EPC project cycles create bottlenecks and risks.

“Given the sheer amount of stakeholders, the right technology platform can possibly be the USP between incurring savings or building the right amount of visibility for all the parties on board,” Krishnan said.

The discussion highlighted dramatic improvements in route survey technology, which Todd noted has reduced survey time “from a two, three-hour process to mere seconds.”

Kwateng detailed a recent project moving modules from China to Canada, where new technology attached to pickup trucks could capture overhead obstacles at highway speeds with millimeter precision.

“Instead of taking an entire day or several days, you could do that in an hour,” Kwateng said. He also described software solutions like Heavy Goods that replace traditional engineering tools with platforms accessible to non-engineers for route verification and stakeholder communication.

On the collaboration front, Achanta emphasized the importance of end-to-end software with mobile alerts and analytics, plus robust API engines to integrate various systems across the supply chain.

Todd noted that manufacturers and OEMs are increasingly demanding greater visibility, including real-time tracking of permits ordered and driver locations. “The day is coming real soon where they too will demand more of a big brother role,” he said. “You folks need to prepare for that.”

Krishnan stressed that successful technology implementation requires understanding why it’s needed, who the stakeholders are, and what data they require.

“Once we have the system in place, then it’s all about just taking it one notch up,” Krishnan said. “If the software is effectively used, it can reap savings much more than what you have invested.”

Closing recommendations included standardization of integration points, daily use of available technologies including AI tools like ChatGPT for routine tasks and adopting the right mindset.

“See technology as something that can complement your decision making, your visibility and your execution readiness,” Krishnan said. “It’s about finding the right technology and using that as a tool, a complementary tool that can base your decisions.”

The session was sponsored by Navis, powered by Kaleris.

PHOTO: Audience members at the main stage session. CREDIT: Marco Wang Photography