Charter flight from China to Spain delivering over 40 million masks

When a large 3D construction printer needs a lift, time is ticking, and a single handling mistake could cost months of delay and derail the budget — it’s time to call in our heavy project logistics experts. Our valued customer did just that.

Recently, our Aid & Relief team received that call from the European Commission. In close collaboration between our operations in Denmark, the Philippines, and Myanmar, they made it happen within a very tight timeframe when Myanmar was struck by an earthquake.

Asia, the world’s largest logistics market by volume, holds vast growth potential. Seizing this opportunity requires more than just expansion—it demands an ambitious strategy, strong leadership, and an agile culture. Nicolas Moeller, COO of Asia, is leading the efforts to strengthen SGL’s regional sales organisation and enhance its capabilities to support the company’s global growth ambitions. Alongside him is Isabelle Lau, Vice President of Verticals for Asia, a key figure in this initiative. Leveraging her expertise in structuring and optimising sales processes, they collaborate closely to ensure the growth strategy is effectively executed.

In September 2024, Blu Logistics Brasil (Blu) joined SGL as part of its ambitious growth strategy and expansion into Latin America, strengthening its presence in the region’s largest economy. Founded by CEO Gabriel Carvalho in 2013, Blu has grown into one of Brazil’s leading freight forwarders and the second largest in ocean freight imports, boasting impressive growth rates of 27% and 47% in the last two years alone and employing over 200 people across eight offices. For Gabriel, finding the right partner wasn’t just about expanding into new markets; it was about preserving the company’s identity, keeping its people-centric approach and customers close while unlocking new opportunities as part of something bigger. In the following, he reflects on the journey from when it all began.

In 2021, we acquired Horizon International. With 41 years of industry experience, Mark Talbot, CEO of the UK and Ireland pre- and post the merger, has experienced acquisitions from the inside before. 'I've seen how not to do it', he says without hesitating, 'and now I've seen how to get it right'.

The transit time is only 1,5 days from Shanghai, China, to the South-East Asian port of destination, but the shipment of 46 electric buses faces challenges and a tight deadline from the beginning. Our team's close network and relations with selected carriers become key to the successful delivery.

Based in the US and Denmark, respectively, Angie Santillan, Chief Administrative Officer, North America, and EVP Kim Brodersen have worked together on numerous customers together since 1996, visiting multiple countries over the years.

COVID lockdowns, port congestions and the war in Ukraine are some of the headlines for 2022. Heads of Ocean Freight, Aneta Kopacz, Poland and Crystal Zhang, China, share their insights into the impacts on worldwide logistics and the leadership and customer management required to keep goods moving and customers satisfied in times of turmoil.

Adapting to a challenging and ever-changing market is what we do best. So, when an industrial batteries customer struggled to get weekly allocations from ocean carriers, it was up to us to find a way to alleviate those challenges. Along with pickup and delivery challenges due to COVID-19 lockdowns, we found a way to ensure their forecasted volumes could be shipped.

When COVID-19 caused lockdowns across ports worldwide and subsequent blank sailings, it hindered progress in various global projects of a solar tracker and components customer within the photovoltaic industry. Needing to press on, we stepped in to institute a custom solution that helped them overcome these challenges and resume projects to completion.