Ask the expert: China in focus

China remains the most influential force shaping Asia’s breakbulk and project cargo landscape. From the China+1 shift and the rise of Southeast Asian fabrication hubs to opaque Chinese carrier strategies, cross-financed fleets, and tightening geopolitical and sanctions pressures, stakeholders face an unprecedented mix of volatility and opportunity. Meanwhile, China continues to dominate global manufacturing for wind, solar, data center modules, and heavy industry – ensuring that project cargo flows remain deeply intertwined with Chinese export pipelines.

In this session, a leading project logistics expert joins a seasoned journalist to unpack what’s really happening behind the headlines: how Chinese carriers are changing competitive dynamics; how project owners and forwarders are reassessing risk; how Middle East disruptions affect China-origin cargo; and where emerging markets like Vietnam, Thailand, and Batam are genuinely gaining ground. Expect frank insights, case-based examples, and practical takeaways for procurement, routing, compliance, and capacity planning.