- Project cargo is one of the faster-growing parts of logistics. Fact.MR values the engineering and logistics market for out-of-gauge (OOG) and project cargo at $9.8 billion in 2025 and projects $18.9 billion by 2036.
- Wind, oil and gas, and data centres are expected to drive the most project freight through to 2029.
- In Germany, project logistics coordinators typically earn €45,000–€55,000, project managers up to €65,000 and business development managers up to €100,000.
- Most people come into project logistics from general forwarding, especially ocean freight. A move across is very achievable with the right experience.
What is project logistics and breakbulk?
Project logistics is the planning and moving of cargo that does not fit in a standard container: turbine blades, transformers, refinery modules, mining equipment and heavy machinery. Breakbulk is cargo shipped as individual pieces rather than in containers, often loaded by crane straight into a vessel’s hold or onto deck.
Every move is different. A single project can involve route surveys, road permits, police escorts, port cranage, heavy-lift vessels and on-site delivery to a wind farm or construction site. Several countries can be involved, and each shipment can carry millions in value. That’s why the sector rewards planners, problem-solvers and people who like owning a job from start to finish.
Why is demand for project logistics careers growing?
The work follows infrastructure spending. At the Breakbulk Europe 2026 market outlook session in Rotterdam, panellists from GEODIS, dship Carriers and Peel Ports ranked wind, oil and gas, and data centres as the sectors most likely to generate project freight through to 2029. Carbon capture and nuclear came further down the list.
The cargo itself is getting bigger. Wind turbine blades are currently around 80–85 metres long, and the same panel expects 130–140 metre blades within five years. Bigger cargo means more engineering, more planning and more people who understand how to move it safely.
Capacity is tight as well. Heavy-lift vessels are being fixed faster because few are available. The panel also flagged pre- and post-carriage, the road and port legs either side of the sea voyage, as a growing concern. Both trends create work for skilled project forwarders, who can secure space early and plan the land legs properly.
For job seekers, the biggest markets are:
- Germany and Benelux, around Hamburg, Bremen, Rotterdam and Antwerp;
- the US Gulf Coast, where energy and LNG projects drive steady demand;
- Australia, which the Breakbulk Europe panel said is consistently outperforming expectations.
What jobs are there in project logistics?
| Role | What you do | Typical background |
|---|---|---|
| Project Cargo Coordinator | Books vessels, trucks and cranes; manages documents, permits and day-to-day shipment updates | Ocean freight or breakbulk operations |
| Project Logistics Manager | Owns projects end to end: budgets, subcontractors, risk and the client relationship | Coordinator with several years of project experience |
| Chartering or Heavy-Lift Specialist | Sources and fixes vessels, negotiates charter terms, works with carriers | Shipbroking, carrier or ocean freight background |
| Project Engineer | Plans lifting, lashing and securing, stowage and transport engineering | Engineering degree or technical background |
| Business Development Manager | Wins project tenders and builds relationships with EPCs, OEMs and energy companies | Project operations or forwarding sales |
| Head of Projects / Sales Director | Leads the project division, sets strategy and owns revenue | Senior manager or BDM with a track record |
Senior commercial roles in this sector are sensitive. Forwarders often recruit them confidentially, because a hire can signal which projects and markets they’re targeting. Our blog on hiring sales directors in project logistics explains why.
What skills do you need for a career in project logistics?
Technical understanding. You don’t need to be an engineer. You do need to be comfortable with dimensions, weights, centre of gravity, lashing and how cargo behaves on a vessel or trailer.
Planning under pressure. A permit delay or a crane breakdown can affect a whole project. Strong project forwarders think several steps ahead and always have a backup option.
Commercial awareness. Project quotes are complex and margins depend on getting the costing right. Knowing where costs hide, from port storage to escort vehicles, is what separates good managers from great ones.
Compliance knowledge. Energy, defence and aerospace projects often involve export controls and licensing, so knowing your obligations matters. Our ITAR and EAR blog covers why trade compliance specialists are in such demand.
Languages. In Germany and Benelux especially, English plus German, Dutch or French opens far more doors on international projects.
What qualifications help in project logistics?
There’s no single required qualification, and most people learn on the job. These help:
- a FIATA Diploma in Freight Forwarding, or a national forwarding apprenticeship such as the German Kaufmann/Kauffrau für Spedition und Logistikdienstleistung;
- dangerous goods training, such as the IMDG Code for sea freight and IATA DGR for air, since many project moves include hazardous components;
- a degree in engineering, logistics or supply chain, useful for engineering-led and planning roles but not essential for operations.
How much can you earn in project logistics?
Salaries depend on market, company size and the projects you handle. Based on our recruitment activity in Germany:
- Project Cargo Coordinator: €45,000–€55,000;
- Project Manager: up to €65,000;
- Business Development Manager: up to €100,000.
In the US, senior leaders in this space can earn significantly more: VP or Head of Projects roles typically pay $190,000–$260,000. Large-project experience, energy sector knowledge and a strong carrier network all push pay up.
How do you move into project logistics from general freight forwarding?
Most project forwarders didn’t start there. A common route is ocean freight operations, then breakbulk or out-of-gauge shipments, then a dedicated projects team. If you want to make the move:
- ask to handle flat rack, open top or out-of-gauge bookings in your current role;
- attend industry events such as Breakbulk Americas and Breakbulk Europe to build contacts;
- learn the basics of lifting, lashing and securing and stowage planning;
- highlight any experience with complex, multi-leg or high-value shipments on your CV.
What does career progression look like?
A typical path runs from coordinator to project manager to senior project manager. From there, people go either into operational leadership as Head of Projects, or into commercial roles in business development and sales leadership. Experienced project forwarders are some of the most sought-after people in the industry, because their skills are hard to train quickly and the work is so specialised.
For more on planning a long-term path, read our guide to building long-term careers in freight forwarding.
How Freight Appointments can help
Project Logistics & Breakbulk is one of our core specialist sectors. We recruit operations, commercial and leadership roles for forwarders across the US, Canada, Germany, Benelux and Australia, and we’ve placed more than 800 candidates. In April 2026 our team attended Breakbulk26 in New Orleans and Breakbulk Europe in Rotterdam, meeting the forwarders, carriers and project teams shaping the sector.
Whether you’re looking for your first project role or your next leadership move, get in touch with our team.
FAQs
What is the difference between project logistics and breakbulk?
Project logistics is the full planning and management of moving large or complex cargo for a project. Breakbulk is a shipping method, with cargo loaded as individual pieces instead of in containers. Most project moves include breakbulk, but they also cover road, port and on-site delivery.
Do you need an engineering degree to work in project logistics?
No. Most coordinator, manager and sales roles are filled by people from freight forwarding backgrounds. Engineering degrees are mainly needed for project engineer and transport planning roles.
Is project logistics a good career?
Yes, for people who enjoy variety and problem-solving. Demand is growing with wind, energy and data centre investment, experienced staff are hard to find, and salaries reflect the specialist skill set.
Which countries have the most project logistics jobs?
Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, the US Gulf Coast and Australia are all strong markets. Ports such as Hamburg, Bremen, Rotterdam, Antwerp and Houston are major project cargo hubs.
How much does a project logistics coordinator earn in Germany?
Typically €45,000–€55,000 a year, depending on experience, language skills and the size of projects handled.
