Event Agenda

The SHIPS for America Act marks a major shift in U.S. maritime policy, with ambitious long-term goals to revitalize shipbuilding, grow the Strategic Commercial Fleet, and strengthen the maritime workforce. In the near term, strengthened enforcement of Cargo Preference laws and increased policy momentum are already reshaping how government cargo is allocated and how U.S.-flag carriers engage with the commercial market. This keynote presentation – followed by a panel of experts from across the maritime, shipbuilding, and project cargo sectors – will examine what these changes mean for the industry now, and how to prepare for the next phase of U.S. maritime resurgence.

Carriers across the breakbulk and project cargo spectrum are facing intense operational pressure. From pending port fees, ageing vessels and capacity pressures, to complex emissions requirements, crew shortages and geopolitical trade tensions, fleet operators are forced to make faster, riskier, and more strategic decisions than ever. Senior voices from across the breakbulk fleet will confront the industry's most pressing challenges and explore how operators are adapting to survive and thrive.

As the global push for electrification and infrastructure growth accelerates, mining in South and Central America is becoming increasingly critical – and logistically complex. This panel brings together EPCs, shippers, and freight forwarders to explore how mining projects across the region are driving demand for breakbulk and project cargo solutions.

Hear directly from shippers as they share what types of projects are emerging, where the market is heading, and how digital tools, new players, and shifting priorities are reshaping the project cargo landscape.

Tariffs are tools of industrial strategy, aiming to reshape how and where companies build, source, and ship. But the short-term disruption leaves many struggling to keep up and make informed decisions. In this Q&A-driven session, trade and logistics experts answer your questions on how steel and other tariffs are disrupting project timelines, shifting global sourcing, and redefining competitiveness in U.S. infrastructure and industry.

Digital transformation in breakbulk logistics is no longer a future goal – it’s a current necessity. From oversized cargo permitting to port-side coordination, today’s most complex cargo movements demand better speed, visibility, and collaboration. This panel explores how real-world digital tools – powered by AI, IoT, and automation – are helping project logistics teams solve bottlenecks across the supply chain.

As Breakbulk Americas celebrates its 35th anniversary, we bring together industry pioneers who helped shape the event – and the breakbulk and project cargo sector itself. These legends will share stories from the earliest editions of Breakbulk Americas, chart how the industry has evolved, and offer timeless insights for today’s professionals. From the days of faxes and clipboards to AI, automation, and ESG mandates – this is a rare look at where we’ve been, and where we’re headed.

A forward-looking perspective on how the evolving energy landscape is driving strategic transformation across the Americas. From shifting trade dynamics to global tariffs and supply chain pressures, this keynote explores how energy leaders are adapting investment priorities, building resilience, and positioning for long-term growth in a rapidly changing world.

From LNG terminals and refinery expansions to coal logistics and uncertainty over offshore wind, energy-related cargo is still moving across the Americas – but not always where expected. This session gives a grounded snapshot of the current energy landscape, including gas exports, oil projects, infrastructure gaps, and the real logistics picture behind politically charged sectors like coal, wind, and nuclear.

Breakbulk’s inaugural Project Power Awards are designed to showcase every sector in the industry and the companies and individuals that are demonstrating the path forward.