Breakbulk Americas 2014: Houston’s growing demand for air cargo charter expertise

Later this month, Houston will host Breakbulk Americas 2014 – a key date in the diary for companies involved in the shipping of heavy and outsize freight, project cargo and traditional breakbulk cargo.

In addition to air charter specialists from Chapman Freeborn’s US team, the showcase will bring together professionals from across the cargo spectrum, including ocean carriers, logistics providers, ground transportation companies, equipment companies and more.

Houston represents one of North America’s brightest spots for specialized services such as outsize air cargo charters and time-critical movements, fuelled in large part by its status as the global headquarters of the energy industry.

With the Houston’s ‘Energy Corridor’ helping to drive growth, the city has attracted logistics companies specializing in the worldwide transportation of equipment – moving everything from giant rotor turbines and blowout preventers to oil spill dispersants and unmanned surface vehicles.

There is growing demand for companies with an understanding of the complexities of the energy market.

More so than any other industry, energy businesses in Houston are looking for charter companies with global capabilities – whether it’s flying 80 workers to Iraq for a project, or transporting a 100-ton piece to South Korea – they expect the same continuity of service.

One recent Chapman Freeborn assignment was a time-critical operation to fly a damaged 28-ton rotor turbine from the Caribbean to the US and back for urgent repairs, while another involved delivering 70 tons of urgent oil well equipment to Angola.

However, it’s not always big pieces of equipment that Houston-based clients are looking to move – it can be a 10kg dashboard component or even a time-critical contract.

This kind is typically handled by Chapman Freeborn’s on board courier (OBC) division which accompanies the shipment from pick up at the manufacturing facility to delivery straight to the recipient.

Breakbulk Americas 2014 runs from September 29 – October 2 at the George R. Brown Convention Center (Exhibition Hall E) Houston, TX, USA.

You can visit Chapman Freeborn at Stand 310. Alternatively, if you would like to schedule a meeting in advance of the show, please contact our Houston office on +1-281-447-5667 or email roberto.berrios@chapman-freeborn.com