Interview with Maurizio and Giacomo Gozzi of HB Shipping, agents for BigLift Shipping in Italy
BigLift Shipping, with its headquarters in Amsterdam, maintains a global presence through its representative offices worldwide. In Italy, the Gozzi family has been the face of BigLift since 2001. In this article, we have the pleasure of conversing with Mr. Maurizio Gozzi and his son Giacomo about the strong partnership between their company, HB Shipping, and BigLift Shipping. We also explore the dynamics of the Italian market and reflect on the memorable celebration of BigLift Shipping’s 50+1 years with Italian clients in picturesque Portofino last June.
Q: Can you share the history of your partnership with BigLift Shipping and how it has evolved over the past two decades?
About 23 years ago, in 2001, while working at a company called Ferrobulk, I was introduced to the heavy lift transportation industry. This market is both challenging and highly specialized, but it captured my interest because of its complexity and the critical role it plays in global logistics. The heavy lift sector, with its unique demands and restricted entry, offered an intriguing challenge. It required a deep understanding of logistics, engineering, and project management, and the ability to navigate the strict regulations and safety standards that govern the transportation of oversized and heavy cargo. This combination of factors made it a very interesting market to explore. Recognizing the potential and the growth opportunities in this niche, we did decide to pursue this path. Over the years, our experience in heavy lift transportation has allowed me to work with leading companies, understand the intricacies of the market, and build strong relationships within the industry. When we first started at the end of 2001, breaking into the Italian market was quite challenging, and our relationship with BigLift was still developing. However, over the years, the expertise and extensive fleet of BigLift have significantly contributed to our progress. Now, more than 20 years later, we are proud to be recognized as one of the leading companies in the heavy-lift market. This success is largely due to both the outstanding commercial team at BigLift and their super-efficient engineering team, whose contributions have been invaluable.
From left to right: Maurizo Gozzi, Sanne Wiegerink, Arne Hubregtse, Wouter Lindner, Johan Boer, Giacomo Gozzi
BigLift's Commercial Director Johan Boer handing over a ship's bell to Giacomo Gozzi as a token of appreciation of the partnership between BigLift Shipping and HB Shipping.
Q: What have been some of the biggest challenges and successes you’ve experienced while working with BigLift?
Over the years, we have successfully completed many challenging projects, but one that stands out is our work in Antarctica with ENEA as our client. This was not a typical project, but it played a crucial role in BigLift’s success, opening the door to similar opportunities, such as the construction of a new base in Antarctica by the Koreans. The success of this project was particularly significant as the team at ENEA were not experienced in shipping, yet our crew rose to the challenge and performed exceptionally well. Their professionalism and expertise were highly appreciated by our clients, making it a truly remarkable achievement. We want to emphasize that there is a dedicated team working alongside us. Today, we have 14 people in the office, which provides us with valuable insights into market trends and helps us better anticipate future opportunities.
Q: How have you seen the market change over the years, and how has your company adapted to these changes?
The market has changed significantly in recent years, with new restrictions like ETS and a shift in client expectations, which have become increasingly demanding. However, both the commercial and engineering teams at BigLift and our company have adapted exceptionally well to these changes. As a result, BigLift has solidified its reputation as a leading company in the heavy-lift transportation sector within the Italian market.
Q: How do you build and maintain strong relationships with your customers?
On a regular basis, either independently or alongside BigLift’s commercial team, we meet with our customers to retain strong relationships. Additionally, we actively participate in various industry events here in Italy to stay connected with the market and our client.
Q: What are your visions and goals for the future of your company and your partnership with BigLift?
Our current focus is on green energy, particularly wind farm projects. While we recognized that some of the larger projects may not materialize due to high costs, we believe that others will move forward. Therefore, we are concentrating our efforts on engaging with end-user customers in this sector.
Q: What has been the most rewarding aspect of working together as a father and son team?
In our office we are working on multiple levels to expand our reach. We both focus on engaging with senior industry figures, while also working with the younger generation which is going to be the future.
Additionally, we are making a concerted effort to enter the offshore / wind market, which we believe will significantly broaden our client portfolio. This is the next step in our growth strategy.
Q: In June, you celebrated BigLift’s 50th anniversary in Portofino with your clients. How do you look back at the event?
The event in Portofino was a great success! Our clients were thrilled with the outstanding location and organization. The strong turnout demonstrated how much our clients value their relationship with us. The feedback from attendees has been overwhelmingly positive, and given its success, there is no doubt that this event will be repeated in the future.