Global Project Logistics Network (GPLN) has concluded its 20th AGM, which took place February 14-16, 2025, at the Westin Grande Sukhumvit Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand. 150 delegates from 40 countries attended the event.
Luzius Haffter, GPLN’s executive director, said the event’s high attendance shows the great commitment of GPLN’s members to the network. He added that GPLN is offering a one-day networking meeting for its members in Rotterdam on May 12, ahead the Breakbulk Europe conference and exhibition.
The network’s 2026 AGM has been scheduled for June 12-14, 2026, also in Rotterdam.
Speaking after the 2025 AGM, Haffter said that the project logistics and heavy transport market is in a fragile state, with the war in Ukraine, Israel-Hamas tensions and safety concerns on some shipping routes undermining confidence. ”Furthermore, project logistics is as sensitive to freight rates as it is to politics. When looking at the current geopolitical environment, disruptions and upcoming tariffs are set to change trade in 2025, not just for import and export, but also for global investments.”
He believes that being part of a reputable network of specialists can benefit small and medium-sized forwarders “tremendously”, opening up industry connections and collaboration opportunities. He said members often leverage their expertise and reputation to win contracts, working together across countries to manage complex, multi-origin shipments.
With increasing project sizes and ever-more complex logistics requirements for many projects, it could be assumed that SMEs would be losing ground to larger multinational forwarders. Haffter was quick to refute that claim. “GPLN members are often a preferred partner for complex logistics requirements as they [are] providing accurate offers and quotations, as well as personalised services 24/7,” he said. “Since our members are mostly based in a single country, they have all the expertise of the local infrastructure and also connections to suppliers, government agencies, ports etc. which is not always the case with a branch office of a large multinational forwarder.”
