June Rotterdam Ahoy, Netherlands

THOUGHT LEADER

Global Talent Gap, Local Solutions

Look Closer to Home for Project Execs

By Tina Benjamin-Lea

The last few years have been tough on our industry and its people. The pandemic, oil prices, skyrocketing freight rates and geopolitical uncertainties, all contributed to the project logistics industry’s woes. The resulting lack of capital projects led to an even further drain of talent. Many have sought to transition their talents to other industries, offering more perceived stability and security, closer to home.

The good news is the markets are recovering and now there is much talk around the economic boom. A lot of emphasis is being placed on renewables. More so than anywhere, this is true in the Middle East. Wide ranging giga projects have created a huge demand for logistics professionals in a relatively short time. This is against a shrinking number of global logistics resources and national talent pools in their ‘teenage’. Not for a long time have demand and supply been so at odds. That said, it also creates an opportunity for new solutions.

Project logistics has never been famous for being a 9-to-5 or glamorous profession. It is a demanding, fast-paced environment requiring all of us to be able to juggle, dance and sing at the same time – so to speak – while remaining calm, objective, and diplomatic. Sound familiar? Not exactly the most enticing job description, but it is a realistic one. So how do we make logistics attractive? How do we attract diversity?

It is my personally held belief that we need to start thinking local again. Project host nations increasingly require nationalization and rightly so. Graduate programs are commonplace all over the world. Could we as an industry be missing out by focusing on graduate programs only? Northern Europe’s logistics and shipping sector is traditionally based on apprenticeships, a combination of academic and hands-on, on-the-job training. This could be the key to developing national and local logistics resources. Tina Benjamin-Lea is project logistics director at Air Products. This article is strictly the personal view of the author and does not reflect and/or represent Air Products’ views/positions.

TIME TO ENGAGE

Let’s engage with young professionals in the more remote project locations who may not be graduates but offer enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. Let’s create local opportunities to international standards without the need for university level education. The benefits are not just in training a new generation of logisticians, it could satisfy national in-country value program requirements and corporate social responsibility. On the other hand, it fosters local collaboration, lowers youth unemployment, boosts community engagement, and builds regional good will.

Breakbulk Education Days are a valuable part of this engagement too. These give project logistics an opportunity to showcase the existing talent and diversity. Remote projects sites, super-sized cargo, and technical constraints are eye-catching facts. Extreme challenge is what makes our work in project logistics so interesting, and why we enjoy it. This is what we need to communicate to the next generation.

In an age of digitalization and increasing reliance on technology, it is the irreplaceable human element which makes project logistics execution successful. Adding a diverse local human element can only contribute to success, alongside new technologies and fresh perspectives.

Bridging the talent gap and eventually closing it will take time. Solutions such as local apprenticeships will require commitment and patience from international companies and project logistics professionals. To my mind the rewards are obvious: we gain a fresh perspective, from a local standpoint.

Education is a two-way street, and we are never too old to learn. As an industry we thrive on challenge. I believe training the next, local generation of project logistics professionals could be one of the most rewarding challenges to take on.

The next Education Day for maritime, engineering and logistics students will be held on Tuesday, 14 February as part of Breakbulk Middle East 2023 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. This is a half-day program offering an introduction to careers in project cargo and related fields by working executives. It is free to attend. For more information, visit middleeast.breakbulk.com.

Breakbulk Middle East’s Education Day students with

Dr. Aysha Al Busmait. CREDIT: BREAKBULK EVENTS

NEXT GENERATION

Be Comfortable Being Uncomfortable

Bechtel’s Salma Ghazal’s Unique Perspectives on Education and the Workplace

By Doug Webster

When you talk with Salma Ghazal, logistics specialist with Houston-headquartered Bechtel Corporation, there is a sense that the next generation of skilled workers in the project logistics sector are among the best trained yet for the challenges that lie ahead in this dynamic industry.

Ghazal graduated from the University of Houston’s Supply Chain and Logistics Technology program early in 2022. As a recent graduate and newly employed, she has unique perspectives on both. Her interest in the field, she said, stemmed from global events post-Covid.

“I was interested in a career that would give me hands-on experience and be challenging – something that would help me learn and grow.”

Ghazal spent much of her youth in Jordan where her father worked, but the family moved to Texas in 2017. “I wanted to go to school closer to home, so I chose the University of Houston. My interest in the supply chain drew me to their logistics program.

“One thing I really valued was the internships I got during my time at school. I started out as a buyer for Saudi Aramco and then as an operations analyst for a Canadian trucking firm. I learned a lot from both and went into logistics really knowing it was where I wanted to be. “Looking back at my experiences as a student and an intern, I would encourage companies offering internships to really challenge students. Give them more responsibility and get to know their capabilities. It is valuable to both the company and the students.

“As a former intern and student, now in the workplace for my first few months, I would offer this advice to students: As an intern, ask for work and tasks. Don’t be stagnant. This is a real learning opportunity. Get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Challenge yourself because the more you ask, the more you know. You won’t get this chance again.”

Ghazal urges professors to emphasize why students should focus on sectors that might not seem important at first glance. “Learn vessel types, learn Incoterms, learn weights and dimensions. I use these every day in my work at Bechtel. Students may wonder ‘why do I need to learn this’, so instructors need to emphasize their importance in the workplace.”

In a Breakbulk Studios interview with Leslie Meredith, Ghazal spoke about her path to working at Bechtel. “I talked with company representatives at a networking event and I really felt comfortable. I wanted a position that would value me and my career development. I have already been assigned to a project for the company.

“Bechtel has a great program called MARC, which stands for Men Advocating Real Change. It emphasizes inclusion and diversity in the workplace and that is reflected in the respect we all are shown as team members.

“I got a lot out of the University of Houston program,” she said. “Margaret Kidd and her faculty really go the extra mile to mentor their students. They treat us as adults. They help set up valuable internships. They take us to shows like Breakbulk and to meetings of industry groups like supply chain management. As a graduate, they are genuinely interested in how I am doing and seek my feedback on ways they can upgrade their courses to reflect the needs of industry today.”

Salma Ghazal

“Looking back at my experiences as a student and an intern, I would encourage companies offering internships to really challenge students. Give them more responsibility and get to know their capabilities. It is valuable to both the company and the students.”

MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Highlighting Recent Industry Hires and Promotions

Al Faris

After 11 years focusing on Iraq and the Middle East, Alberto Pittaluga said to Breakbulk he was seeking a “refreshing challenge in a different geographical location,” with the Alberto Pittaluga executive set to leave his role at the end of the year as general manager of Al Faris’s operations in Iraq. Following an 8-year stint at ALE, Pittaluga joined Dubai-based heavy-lift specialist Al Faris in March 2020, overseeing the launch of the company’s Iraq division in early 2021. Al Faris has established itself as one of the leading logistics players in Iraq, supporting the buildout of oil and gas and power generation projects from its base close to Basra.

Guillaume Lathelize CMA CGM Air Cargo

Guillaume Lathelize has been named as the new head of CMA CGM’s air freight division, CMA CGM Air Cargo, taking over from Olivier Casanova.

Lathelize has been with CMA CGM for more than 15 years, holding several roles including vice president of short sea lines and, most recently, vice president of global commercial. Prior to that, the executive spent nearly a decade with Bolloré Transport and Logistics.

CMA CGM Air Cargo was launched in March 2021 and is based out of Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris.

Crowley

Meaghan Atkinson has been promoted to vice president of sustainability at U.S.-based maritime and logistics company, Crowley. The executive will lead De los Santos had been with the familyrun, heavy transport specialist for more than 15 years, serving as CEO for the last seven. “There are so many memories, so many friends inside and outside the company to be thankful for. Today, I only have gratitude.”

Crowley’s sustainability journey, and drive action to decarbonize across the company’s operations and value chain to reach net-zero by 2050.

In her prior role as director of Meaghan sustainability and Atkinson regulatory affairs, Atkinson spearheaded the creation of Crowley’s first greenhouse gas inventory and played an integral role in publishing the company’s first-ever sustainability report. Before joining Crowley, Atkinson spent more than 15 years managing sustainability programs for organizations including CSX Corporation and the State of Florida Department of Military Affairs.

Ports America

Ports America, the largest marine terminal operator and stevedore in the U.S., has announced the appointment of Matthew Leech as president and CEO, Matthew Leech effective November 2022. Leech will succeed Mark Montgomery, who will retire as CEO but continue in an advisory role. Leech boasts more than 25 years of experience in the maritime industry, previously serving as CEO and managing director for the Americas at DP World. The executive was also vice president, operations and development, at CSX World Terminals.

Tradelossa

Rafael de los Santos said he was beginning a “new period” in his professional life after announcing his departure as CEO of Mexicobased Tradelossa.

Rafael de los Santos UTC Overseas

Michael Kaemerow has joined international transportation and logistics specialist UTC Overseas as a Houston-based project director.

During a career that has seen stints at Bertling Logistics and deugro USA, Kaemerow has overseen the transport and logistics of products from some of the world’s largest EPCs involved in global infrastructure, mining and petrochemical equipment, including Bechtel, Fluor, KBR, Halliburton, JGC, Technip and McDermott.

Michael Kaemerow

The executive began his new role at UTC in September.

Meanwhile, UTC Overseas has named Diana Davila as new senior vice president of U.S. operations.

Davila, who has more than 30 years’ experience in transport and logistics, Diana Davila joined UTC in July 2016, firstly as director of projects, then Houston branch manager.

The executive is founder of Women in Logistics Leadership, a Houston-based group that supports female logistics professionals seeking leadership roles. She is a “tireless advocate” for diversity and inclusion, UTC said.