Risk and Recalibration: The 2026 Breakbulk and Project Cargo Outlook

As 2025 drew to a close, project cargo and breakbulk freight demand remained stable, with high hopes that a positive pipeline for mining, power generation for data centers, and LNG projects would keep the market busy. But not everything in the outlook is rosy. With falling oil prices threatening to knock a revitalization of oil and petrochemical projects on the head and the long tail of tariff confusion continuing into 2026, uncertainty could drag on all-important project final investment decisions. Engineering, procurement and construction companies speaking with the Journal of Commerce anticipate a busy 2026, but whereas previous years have been laser-focused on planning, the objective now is speed, putting pressure on the supply chain. This build- it-now mentality is forcing shippers to book ship capacity further out to ensure readiness when the go button on a project is pressed. Add to this, pressures on seaborne chokepoints, congestion and that ever-present specter of geopolitics, and it stands to reason that 2026 will continue to see challenges on project timescales and punctuality.

This hourlong webcast will take a practical, data-backed look at what 2026 may hold and how your breakbulk and project cargo supply chain can prepare for what is ahead.

Moderator:

Carly Fields, Associate Editor-Breakbulk and Project Cargo, Journal of Commerce by S&P Global

Speaker(s):

Jonathan Cournoyer, Global Discipline Director, Logistics, HATCH

Susan Oatway, Senior Research Analyst-Breakbulk and Project Cargo, Journal of Commerce by S&P Global

Brian Odell,Lead Ocean/Barge/Port Mode Specialist, GE Power

Interested in sponsoring this webcast? For more information, please visit: https://subscribe.joc.com/mediasolutions/