Mohammad Jaber left a career at the world’s biggest logistics firm to push himself into uncharted territory as CEO of Combi Lift Projects in the Middle East. In this episode of Voices of Breakbulk Middle East, host Luke King sits down with Mohammad to explore how project logistics in the region is evolving — and why the old “do everything yourself” model no longer works.

Mohammad reflects on his journey from commodities and container logistics into complex project cargo, his move from global forwarding giants to a more agile project-focused business, and why collaboration — not dominance — will define the next phase of the industry.

We discuss:

1. Why Combi Lift positions itself as collaborative, not controlling, in a fragmented project cargo market
2. How Saudi Arabia, the UAE and wider Middle East are driving the next wave of heavy-lift and infrastructure demand
3. The role of engineering creativity in keeping projects profitable as costs rise
4. Where technology, AI and data will genuinely move the needle — and where hype still exceeds reality
5. Why peace, stability and long-term thinking matter more than any single megaproject

From nuclear power and energy transition projects to future-ready logistics talent, this is a wide-ranging, thoughtful conversation with one of the region’s most experienced project logistics leaders — and a reminder that the strongest operators aren’t those who try to do everything, but those who know exactly where they add value.

🎥 Recorded in Dubai, UAE

For all business enquires relating to the podcast, email Luke@prospectcomms.co.uk and visit https://www.projectcargopros.com/

About Voices of Breakbulk Middle East

This episode is part of our special Voices of Breakbulk Middle East series, celebrating a decade of the region’s leading event for project cargo. Register now for the 10th anniversary of Breakbulk Middle East, taking place Feb 4-5 in Dubai: https://middleeast.breakbulk.com/page...

About Our Sponsor: Hareket is a leading provider of engineered heavy lifting, project transport, and crane solutions, serving customers across Eurasia, the Middle East, and Africa. With over 15 offices worldwide and nearly seven decades of experience, Hareket supports sectors including energy, petrochemicals, oil and gas, nuclear, renewable energy, and civil infrastructure. Listed on the Turkish Stock Exchange in 2024, the company ranks first in Turkey and among the top heavy-lift and crane providers globally. Hareket is recognised for its technical expertise, operational reliability and ability to deliver tailored solutions for large-scale, complex projects.

👉 Visit

Mustafa Şener, executive board member at Hareket, joins Project Cargo Professionals for a wide-ranging conversation recorded in Dubai as part of our Voices of Breakbulk Middle East series.

With more than two decades in global project logistics and heavy engineering, Mustafa offers a grounded, strategic view on where the sector is heading — from Türkiye’s evolving role as a manufacturing and engineering hub, to the rapid rise of the Middle East, Africa and Central Asia as the next major growth corridors for complex projects.

Drawing on his experience across Europe, North America and the Middle East, Mustafa explains how asset-based specialists like Hareket are positioning themselves for a new generation of mega-projects, why engineering depth and execution discipline matter more than ever, and how the launch of HPL One reflects a broader shift in how project logistics services are structured and delivered.

But beyond cranes, corridors and capacity, Mustafa also shares a more personal perspective — one shaped by his long-standing commitment to health, performance and longevity. As an active figure within the HYROX global fitness movement, he speaks candidly about the physical and mental demands of leadership, the realities of life in high-pressure corporate environments, and why personal resilience and team wellbeing are becoming strategic advantages in project logistics.

We explore:

1. Why Türkiye’s rising costs may actually signal strength, not weakness
2. How the Middle East is evolving into a self-sustaining project powerhouse
3. What differentiates asset-based engineering specialists in today’s market
4. The logic behind separating heavy engineering from global forwarding operations
5. Why leadership, energy and physical health are inseparable in high-performance teams

A thoughtful conversation that connects heavy projects with human performance, and a reminder that long-term success in this industry is built as much on people and discipline as it is on cargo and capacity.

🎥 Recorded in Dubai, UAE

👉 Connect with Mustafa on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mfsener/

For all business enquires relating to the podcast, email Luke@prospectcomms.co.uk and visit https://www.projectcargopros.com/

About Voices of Breakbulk Middle East

This episode is part of our special Voices of Breakbulk Middle East series, celebrating a decade of the region’s leading event for project cargo. Register now for the 10th anniversary of Breakbulk Middle East, taking place Feb 4-5 in Dubai: https://middleeast.breakbulk.com/page/visitor-registration

About Our Sponsor: SAL

SAL is one of the world’s leading heavy-lift and project cargo carriers, operating a modern fleet of specialised vessels with service speeds up to 20 knots, dynamic positioning systems, Fly-Jib capability and combined crane capacities of up to 2,000 tonnes. Together with SAL Intermarine, the company runs a global fleet supporting more than 1,200 employees across 27 offices worldwide. A member of the Harren Group, SAL is recognised for its high technical standards, safety and environmental performance, including its new Orca Class vessels. Alongside Jumbo Shipping, SAL also co-operates the JSI Alliance, providing comprehensive multipurpose, heavy-lift and offshore transport solutions.

👉 Visit https://sal.global

About Hareket:

Hareket is a leading provider of engineered heavy lifting, project transport, and crane solutions, serving customers across Eurasia, the Middle East, and Africa. With over 15...

In this episode, Project Cargo Professionals meets Denis Bandura, managing director at BBC Chartering Middle East, one of the longest-serving figures in the organisation, having joined BBC at the turn of the millennium.

From his early seafaring career to more than 25 years with BBC Chartering, Ukrainian-born Denis reflects on what it takes to build longevity in a sector defined by cycles, geopolitics and constant change. Speaking in Dubai for our Voices of Breakbulk Middle East series, he shares a candid view on how the region has evolved from a transshipment hub into a self-sustaining industrial force — particularly across oil & gas, wind and heavy industry.

We explore:

1. Why a shortage of capable heavy-lift tonnage may actually be healthy for the project market
2. How globalization has shifted — and why regions like the Middle East and India are increasingly standing on their own
3. What differentiates BBC Chartering’s fleet and operating model, from LakerMax vessels to ice-class newbuilds
4. Why sustainability, decarbonisation and efficiency are no longer just “big-client” concerns
5. How operators succeed — or fail — in the Middle East’s relationship-driven project cargo market

Denis also lifts the lid on a lighter tradition that’s made him something of a fixture at Breakbulk Middle East: the now-well-known BBC cigar box, opened late into the night as deals, stories and friendships are cemented — a small ritual that perfectly captures the community spirit of the sector.

A thoughtful, wide-ranging conversation with one of the region’s most consistent and respected voices.

🎥 Recorded in Dubai, UAE 👉 Connect with Denis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denis-bandura-762229276/

For all business enquires relating to the podcast, email Luke@prospectcomms.co.uk and visit https://www.projectcargopros.com/

About Voices of Breakbulk Middle East

This episode is part of our special Voices of Breakbulk Middle East series, celebrating a decade of the region’s leading event for project cargo. Register now for the 10th anniversary of Breakbulk Middle East, taking place Feb 4-5 in Dubai: https://middleeast.breakbulk.com/page...

About Our Sponsor: Hareket

Hareket is a leading provider of engineered heavy lifting, project transport, and crane solutions, serving customers across Eurasia, the Middle East, and Africa. With over 15 offices worldwide and nearly seven decades of experience, Hareket supports sectors including energy, petrochemicals, oil and gas, nuclear, renewable energy, and civil infrastructure. Listed on the Turkish Stock Exchange in 2024, the company ranks first in Turkey and among the top heavy-lift and crane providers globally. Hareket is recognised...