Ilya Goncharov serves as head of industrial projects at 3P Logistics Group, responsible for overseeing and optimizing the end-to-end all-project cargo contracts, inquiries, orders and operations in eight offices in six countries. Goncharov focuses on developing and executing strategies to enhance industrial projects performance, improve processes, reduce costs, and ensure timely delivery of project cargo to customers. Other responsibilities include building relationships and growing business in the project cargo logistics and heavy lift sector; managing the budget and budget execution of industrial projects; managing the performance of the project team; developing a strategic roadmap to enhance systems, processes, and performance across all logistics functions; optimizing processes in all effective handling of new oversized cargo and breakbulk inquiries from new and current customers; leading the implementation of logistics-related projects; developing and executing strategies to reduce logistics costs, improve freight management, and optimize operations; ensuring compliance with all regulatory requirements; collaborating with HR and training teams to develop training programs and resources to enhance logistics team capabilities; and partnering with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment on logistics strategies and support business objectives.
In December 2024, Goncharov managed the delivery of oversized process equipment and telescopic bridges from the Netherlands to the UAE for the offshore industry, oil platforms and supply vessels. Under his leadership, Goncharov managed the 7 employees and the reporting in the three different countries. Also in December 2024, Goncharov concluded the contract and management of the delivery of heavy industrial equipment for production from Poland to Peru, including the 13 employees and reporting to four different countries. Goncharov also introduced new methodology for processing new requests from current and new customers to optimize the work of employees with oversized and breakbulk cargo between the project department and the sea import/export departments.
Goncharov also created special AI sanctions screening tools for the project cargo logistics industry. Going forward, he plans to ensure that all global supply chains are protected from working with sanctioned projects in an automated manner.
We talked exclusively with Groncharov about what it takes to deliver oversized process equipment and why there’s a need for AI sanctions customized screening tools.
Supply & Demand Chain Executive: Let’s first talk about you. Tell me a little bit about yourself and your journey to get to this current stage in your career?
Ilya Goncharov: At the age of 14 (22 years ago in 2003), my fascination with the project logistics industry was ignited as I observed my uncle's work, witnessing lowbed semi-trailers, tasked with transporting oversized and heavy cargo from seaports. In 2012, I started my professional journey in logistics as a sales manager in a freight forwarding company, and today, I am a project logistics expert and leader with 13 years of experience and a unique world-class business approach. Project logistics is the highest level in logistics. According to research, only 0.1% of employees are capable of working in project logistics. In project logistics, they call me “Mr. Celebrity.”
I am playing a leading and critical role in the reputable Scandinavian company 3P Logistics Group in the heart and capital of the world logistics -- Denmark. I am a head of industrial projects at 3P Logistics Group headquarters in Denmark and the group has eight offices in six countries: Denmark, Finland, Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
Some of my most significant awards and achievements:
One of only 160 top professionals in the world who have won the AntwerpXL Award. Winner of 40 Under 40 AntwerpXL International Award. The AXL award is “The Oscars” in project logistics. XL 40 Under 40 celebrates professionals who have achieved greatness in the project logistics industry.
One of only 1,357 top professionals worldwide to have been awarded the grade of Chartered Fellow (FCILT) with CILT UK. Only 1% of all CILT members under the age of 35 have achieved the FCILT grade. FCILT is the highest grade of one of the most authoritative and influential professional associations in the world in the field of logistics, organization founded in 1919 in London the CILT - The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (UK).
Received the best certificates and completed top world class courses in project logistics, breakbulk, heavy lift and oversized transport. Heavy transport and lifting seminar Global Project Logistics Network (GPLN) certificate, issued June 2023 in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The technical course is one of the best in the world. The most advanced heavy transport and lifting training in the world.
I am the author of scholarly articles in professional and major industry journals and other major mass media.
And today, I am honored to be a winner, recognized as an outstanding Top Innovator according to the Supply & Demand Chain Executive's Pros To Know Award.
Supply & Demand Chain Executive: One of the things outlined in your submission is how you oversee and optimize the end-to-end all-project cargo contracts, inquiries, orders and operations in eight offices in six countries. And you do this all remotely with no headquarters office. Talk to us how about how this works.
Goncharov: What I mean is that although 3P Logistics Group is headquartered in Denmark and the group has 8 offices in six countries: Denmark, Finland, Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, we also work on projects in countries where we do not have offices. Can we move the project cargo from China to Sweden even though we don't have offices in these countries? Yes! How? We are the members of the strongest, largest project cargo networks in the world, enabling us to provide unique services worldwide through our partners. These are 10,000 offices that turn any small company into a global giant. Of course, this only works if you know how to make an irresistible offer to your client. Almost all projects in the field of project logistics have a sufficient lead time from the first touch to implementation. It can be 6 months or 3 years or 10 years, and you should use this time working with a freight forwarder to identify all potential risks and challenges. If you use this time for consultations and preparation of the delivery project with a freight forwarder, you will be successful. If you decide to find transport solutions in a hurry in the last 5% of your remaining time, there may be risks. For example, when you "thought" for 1 year and then in a hurry look for a carrier in 2 weeks, this is not how professionals should work.
Supply & Demand Chain Executive: Also outlined in your nomination form is how you managed the delivery of oversized process equipment and telescopic bridges from the Netherlands to the UAE for the offshore industry, oil platforms and supply vessels. What a project. Tell us more about this project.
Goncharov: Yes, this is one of those examples when, without having physical offices in the country of the sender of the cargo and in the country of the recipient of the cargo, we do a cool business. 3P Logistics Industrial Projects manages the transport of oversized offshore equipment from the Netherlands to the United Arab Emirates. The shipment process begins with the transportation of the cargo (bridge) from the Netherlands to the port of Antwerp via lowbed semi-trailer. The cargo is the gangway, Telescopic access bridges for safe and easy transfer of personnel and cargo to and from offshore structures. It is suitable for a variety of vessels and operational situations. 3P Logistics handled all operations at the port, including documentation, customs clearance, loading onto a Mafi trailer, and securing and covering the cargo for its voyage. The equipment was then transported to Jebel Ali Port in the UAE using ro-ro shipping. This is a great example of how a company has a strong project logistics network of reliable partners and suppliers across Benelux and UAE allowing it to operate efficiently in the region where we do not have physical offices in these regions.
Supply & Demand Chain Executive: According to your application, you also created special AI sanctions screening tools for the project cargo logistics industry. What do these sanctions do? And why are they so important in a time where countries are at war and imposing tariffs?
Goncharov: In September 2023, I joined the Association of Certified Sanctions Specialists (ACSS) (ACSS is working with US and EU, UK governments), headquarters Miami, Fla., to gain more knowledge of sanctions worldwide. In April 2024, the UK government published recommendations to use sanctions screening tools. I noticed many news reports about sanctions and projects where cargo such as heavy turbines or modules for LNG plants weighing 14,000 tons the size of a small city are somehow being delivered with violations. I saw that the project cargo industry needs AI sanctions customized screening tools. The AI Alarm System leverages advanced AI to ensure that all aspects of logistics operations, from documentation to delivery, comply with global sanctions and regulations. In 2025, the world will have a record number of sanctions and trade restrictions. So avoiding cargo damage is critical, but it's also important that your shipper's entire logistics department doesn't end up in jail for a 10-year-old case of shipping heavy turbines to a sanctioned region. You have to invest in sanctions screening tools and work strictly within the law and new sanctions. It's easy to get fined $20,000,000 for violating U.S. sanctions. Work legally.
Supply & Demand Chain Executive: If you could have a conversation with your younger self, what would you tell him?
Goncharov: Even for a peaceful life you must constantly grow in everything and move forward in all matters. If you stop growing, you will begin to lose what you have. What to do:
1. Ensure constant growth of your hobby, business and skills always even if the growth is 0.1% per year.
2. Join all professional associations that are around you, increase networking and convert networking into business. Use their resources 100%.
3. Start writing articles and make friends with the media right now.
Supply & Demand Chain Executive: The Top Transportation Innovators category recognizes professionals in the transportation space. What advice do you have for other transportation professionals in the supply chain space?
Goncharov: Have principles but don't be a slave to your principles. Our industry is one of the most developed and technologically advanced. We are one of the most digital industries in the world. But we hardly use this advantage to optimize costs. However, we still have a crisis of lack of new talents and retention of current professionals. Young talent does not understand why they should come to the office to open a laptop, spending time and travel expenses for this. They would like to directly visit the port or the customer's facility if necessary when traveling from home. I think that in the near future, companies should conduct a serious audit, global optimization, and rethink the role of the classic office as a necessity, leaving only the most necessary facilities. In addition, this will save a lot of money for companies.
![Pros To Know 2025 [color]](https://img.sdcexec.com/files/base/acbm/scn/image/2025/01/Pros_To_Know_2025__color_.67856cb23da64.png?auto=format%2Ccompress&fit=crop&h=75&q=70&w=75)
