Friday roundup: freight forwarding, crane rental outlook, shaping specialized transport

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Transporting heavy machinery and other similarly large, heavy and awkward objects around the world can be a tricky business, presenting a whole host of challenges. Monday’s CTB kicked off the week with a discussion about how freight forwarders are a key link in the supply chain.

Freight forwarders are the travel agents of the cargo industry – the people working behind the scenes to co-ordinate the complex web of trucks, ships, barges, cranes, warehouses and red tape, all required to get oversize and-or overweight, out of gauge, or otherwise awkward loads from A to B.

As a freight forwarder specializing in arranging the movement of large pieces of construction equipment, Andrew Civil is used to plans going awry. As Civil, general manager at specialist freight forwarder WWL ALS, pointed out to Lucy Barnard, from bad weather to roadworks to changes in travel permits or weight restrictions, it’s a job where Murphy’s Law firmly applies.

You may have noticed Tuesday’s CTB looks a bit different. To enhance the service we are already providing, the Briefing on Tuesdays will include the stories from the World Crane Week email newsletter. Some of you already receive this so it will mean you get all the best news, updates and thought-provoking articles together in one mail on that day instead of two.

It seems that the crane rental industry is set for a mixed year in 2025, and we’ve compiled several industry opinions on its future. North America is expecting slow growth this year. The American Rental Association (ARA) forecasts that in the USA, residential construction will drive rental sector growth, while industrial and construction rentals will see low increases.

Sustainability remains a key driver globally. Mark Keily of Sunbelt Rentals believes 2025 will be a “turning point” for greener equipment adoption, with more customers trialling sustainable solutions and renewable fuels. In Australia, Robyn Simpson of Coates highlights the impact of new sustainability reporting standards, which will push greater collaboration between rental firms and construction companies. With digitalisation, efficiency, and sustainability shaping the industry, crane rental companies must stay agile in 2025.

David Yarbrough never planned on leading his family’s heavy haul company—but life had other ideas. From mowing the shop lawn as a teen to practicing law, his journey back to Yarbrough Transfer Company (YTC) was unexpected yet deeply rooted in legacy.

Now president of the nearly century-old business, Yarbrough blends long-term strategy with an unwavering commitment to employees and customers. As chairman of this year’s SC&RA Specialized Transportation Symposium, he’s helping shape the future of the industry, tackling challenges from workforce development to regulatory advocacy.

In Thursday’s Crane & Transport Briefing, Yarbrough reflects on his career, YTC’s enduring values and the trends shaping specialized transport in 2025. From hiring strategies to economic insights, he shares why loyalty, mentorship and adaptability remain at the heart of success. Plus, he gives us a look at what’s ahead for the industry—and for YTC as it approaches its 100-year milestone.