What’s a Danish shipping veteran doing in Mozambique? A lot, it turns out.

In this episode of Project Cargo Professionals, I sit down with Thomas Vestergaard, CEO and founding partner of UPF Group, to hear how he’s built a growing logistics network across Africa—from Maputo to Luanda, from Douala to Dar es Salaam.

We discuss:

· The massive LNG projects transforming northern Mozambique

· Why Thomas believes doing business in Africa is like “stepping back in time—in a good way”

· Building ultra-lean offices that empower local teams

· Making logistics personal, and why grabbing a coffee or lunch with a client might still be your best sales tool

· His expansion strategy across southern and eastern Africa—and why trust is the real currency

· How UPF is supporting forwarders in high-stakes environments like Pemba and Palma

· Why Peter Jensen of Maersk Project Logistics gets his vote for a future guest

It’s a candid conversation about entrepreneurship, culture, and opportunity in a continent with unlimited potential.

Enjoy the episode—and don’t forget to subscribe for more stories from the front lines of project cargo.

For more content, visit Project Cargo Professionals.

🌎 Supported by The Heavy Lift Group, our Association Partner

Founded in 1987, The Heavy Lift Group is an international network of companies specializing in heavy lift and project cargo operations. Its 70+ members offer combined know-how, skills, experience and innovation to manage transportation needs of any scale, including the largest and most complex multimodal projects. As a quality-driven group, each member is carefully selected to ensure the highest standards of professionalism, reliability, and expertise across the network. THLG unites a diverse range of industry specialists—including cargo aircraft operators, specialized hauliers and crane operators, equipment and technology manufacturers, as well as freight forwarders, ship brokers and vessel owners. #PowerinUnity

This week on Project Cargo Professionals, we head to Kolkata, India, to speak with Nilesh Sinha, Director of Procam Group and a member of The Heavy Lift Group, our Association Partner.

With more than 15 years in the business, Nilesh offers a candid view of what it takes to operate in India’s fast-evolving project logistics sector. He explains why succeeding here requires not only technical skill, but the mindset of a philosopher — and the patience of a psychologist.

From the challenge of balancing timelines and client expectations, to the ongoing modernisation of India’s ports and hinterland infrastructure, this episode explores the complexity and opportunity of working in the world’s most populous democracy.

🎧 In this episode:

• Why logistics in India is often a test of temperament as much as skill
• The current state of infrastructure and digitalisation
• The potential for large-scale heavy lift barge operations in India
• Why transparency, process and people are more important than price
• How Procam approaches partnerships with both global and local players
• What Nilesh believes international clients often misread about India
• And why — when it works — the impact is visible in the lives of everyday citizens

For more content, visit Project Cargo Professionals.

🌎 Supported by The Heavy Lift Group, our Association Partner

Founded in 1987, The Heavy Lift Group is an international network of companies specializing in heavy lift and project cargo operations. Its 70+ members offer combined know-how, skills, experience and innovation to manage transportation needs of any scale, including the largest and most complex multimodal projects. As a quality-driven group, each member is carefully selected to ensure the highest standards of professionalism, reliability, and expertise across the network. THLG unites a diverse range of industry specialists—including cargo aircraft operators, specialized hauliers and crane operators, equipment and technology manufacturers, as well as freight forwarders, ship brokers and vessel owners. #PowerinUnity

In this episode of Project Cargo Professionals, host Luke King goes Down Under to talk to Frank O Mueller—better known in the industry as "FOM"—to explore his journey from Hamburg to Brisbane and his 25-year career with AAL Shipping. From surviving Brisbane’s muggy summers to steering a multipurpose fleet through global disruption, Frank offers insights into leadership, customer trust, and the thinking behind AAL’s new Super B-Class vessels.

You’ll hear why AAL chose to stick with its liner service during the COVID-19 pandemic while others pivoted and how their in-house engineering team designed new ships to meet oversized cargo challenges. Whether you're moving 50 tons of steel or building a future-proof fleet, this conversation highlights the role of long-term thinking, customer relationships and the importance of trust in the project cargo world.

🚢 Topics Covered:

· The origins of the “FOM” nickname and why it stuck

· Life in Brisbane and AAL’s decision to base there

· Lessons from sticking to trade lanes during COVID

· The story behind AAL’s new Super B-Class ships

· Designing vessels with wind blades, barges, and open-hold operations in mind

· The complex path to decarbonising shipping

· Why trust and transparency still matter in a digital world

· Frank’s leadership style—and his career highlight

For more content, visit Project Cargo Professionals.

🌎 Supported by The Heavy Lift Group, our Association Partner

Founded in 1987, The Heavy Lift Group is an international network of companies specializing in heavy lift and project cargo operations. Its 70+ members offer combined know-how, skills, experience and innovation to manage transportation needs of any scale, including the largest and most complex multimodal projects. As a quality-driven group, each member is carefully selected to ensure the highest standards of professionalism, reliability, and expertise across the network. THLG unites a diverse range of industry specialists—including cargo aircraft operators, specialized hauliers and crane operators, equipment and technology manufacturers, as well as freight forwarders, ship brokers and vessel owners. #PowerinUnity