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Recent episodes
Crisis = Opportunity? Why Forwarders Make More When Markets Break
Apr 27, 2026
Unknown duration
Emirates Legend Ram Menen on Gulf War III and the Future of Gulf Air Cargo Hubs
Apr 23, 2026
Unknown duration
Air Cargo Unpacked | Middle East War: Fuel Crisis, Capacity Disruption and Global Fallout
Apr 16, 2026
Unknown duration
Middle East Conflict 2026: Global Shipping and Trade Crisis ft. Lars Jensen and Greg Knowler
Apr 2, 2026
Unknown duration
LATAM Cargo CEO: Perishables, Trade Wars and Growing a 19-Freighter Fleet
Mar 30, 2026
Unknown duration
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| Date | Episode | Description | Length | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4/27/26 |  Crisis = Opportunity? Why Forwarders Make More When Markets Break | When markets break, most industries struggle. Freight forwarders? They often make more. In this episode of the Freight Buyers’ Club, Oliver Gritz (former CFO of DHL Express and Founder & CEO of Ontegos Cloud) explains why crisis creates opportunity in freight—and why some forwarders thrive while others fall behind. From war-driven disruption and supply chain chaos to liquidity stress and missed revenue, we break down what’s really happening inside freight forwarding in 2026. If you’re in freight, logistics, or global trade—this is what separates the winners from everyone else. What you’ll learn: Why forwarders make more money in volatile markets The role of data in real-time supply chain decisions Where forwarders lose 3–5% of profit (and how to fix it) How top performers manage cash flow under pressure What “winning the crisis” actually looks like operationally About the guest: Oliver Gritz is the Founder & CEO of Ontegos Cloud and former CFO of DHL Express. With decades of experience inside global logistics, he now advises freight forwarders on profitability, data, and operational performance. Listen / follow Freight Buyers’ Club: Podcast: https://www.thefreightbuyersclub.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thefreightbuyersclub2866 #FreightForwarding #Logistics #SupplyChain | — | ||||||
| 4/23/26 |  Emirates Legend Ram Menen on Gulf War III and the Future of Gulf Air Cargo Hubs | Gulf air cargo hubs have taken a serious hit since the Middle East war began. The world's most strategically positioned freight network is under pressure - and the industry wants to know if it comes back. In this segment from the latest Air Cargo Unpacked, Mike King and Neel Jones Shah sit down with Ram Menen - the man who spent nearly 28 years building Emirates SkyCargo and helped make Dubai one of the great global freight hubs - to ask the question the whole industry is asking: do the Gulf hubs come back, and how long does it take? Together they cover the hub geography, the belly cargo and passenger confidence question, how this crisis ranks against Gulf War I, 9/11, SARS and COVID, whether forwarders building alternative routes creates a permanent market shift, and why Ram believes air cargo recovers faster than ocean shipping. Ram's verdict: Gulf War III. Temporary setback, not existential crisis. The full episode also features exclusive air cargo rate analysis from TAC Index, calculating agent for the Baltic Exchange Baltic Air Freight Indices, plus Bachi Spiga from DHL Express Middle East and North Africa on how DHL kept every country in the region served from day two of the conflict. Full episode: ▶️ YouTube: https://youtu.be/YQROEd_DSAc Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5OW32v9r8ZVejCWJ5oiB8r?si=beb29a01eeaf414b Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/air-cargo-unpacked-middle-east-war-fuel-crisis-capacity/id1668766055?i=1000761786379 thefreightbuyersclub.com: https://www.thefreightbuyersclub.com/podcast/air-cargo-unpacked-middle-east-war-fuel-crisis-capacity-disruption-and-global-fallout/ Produced with the support of Ontegos Cloud, freight forwarder profitability specialists: https://www.ontegos.cloud/ #AirCargo #AirFreight #MiddleEast #GulfAirCargo #Emirates #AirCargoUnpacked #FreightBuyersClub #OntegosCloud #BalticAirFreightIndex #TACIndex | — | ||||||
| 4/16/26 |  Air Cargo Unpacked | Middle East War: Fuel Crisis, Capacity Disruption and Global Fallout | The Middle East war that began on February 28th has sent shockwaves through global air cargo. Jet fuel has nearly doubled. Gulf hub capacity is still less than 60% of normal. And a fragile ceasefire has done little to restore confidence in the region's critical air corridors. In this episode of Air Cargo Unpacked, Mike King and Neel Jones Shah are joined by air cargo legend Ram Menen, who spent nearly 28 years building Emirates SkyCargo and helped make Dubai one of the great global freight hubs. Ram gives his verdict on what this crisis means for the region, how it compares to Gulf War I, 9/11 and COVID, and whether the Gulf's geographic advantage can survive the damage. We also have Bachi Spiga, VP Network Operations at DHL Express Middle East and North Africa, on how DHL rewired its entire regional operation to keep trade moving, and Neil Wilson and Peyton Burnett from TAC Index, calculating agent for the Baltic Air Freight Indices, on what the rate data is telling us right now. And we walk through exclusive capacity and fuel analysis from Rotate, giving a granular picture of what has actually happened to the global network since February 28th. Produced with the support of Ontegos Cloud, the freight forwarder profitability specialists. https://www.ontegos.cloud/ In this episode we cover: Ram Menen on the history, the crisis and why he calls this a temporary setback rather than an existential threat to Gulf aviation Why the ceasefire changes less than you might think, and what actually needs to happen before normal returns Gulf recovery airport by airport, with Dubai at 54%, Doha at 50%, Bahrain and Kuwait at zero Global capacity shifts by trade lane, including a 28% surge on Asia-Europe as carriers bypass the Gulf Why jet fuel is still 70% above pre-conflict levels despite easing on ceasefire news Southeast Asia's fuel import dependency and why Vietnam, Hong Kong and Australia are most at risk How DHL rewired its Middle East network to keep trade moving Rate movements across the key corridors since February 28th, with Baltic Air Freight Index data from TAC Index The 777-200 freighter conversion approval and whether it moves the needle on the capacity crunch Journalism featured in this episode: Damian Brett, Air Cargo News: "Airfreight recovery could take months after US-Iran ceasefire" Greg Knowler, Journal of Commerce: "Rising jet fuel costs challenging freighter viability as war enters second month" Eric Kulisch, FreightWaves: "FAA approves 1st Boeing 777-200 passenger-to-freighter conversion" Data: TAC Index / Baltic Air Freight Indices. Rotate. #AirCargo #AirFreight #MiddleEast #GulfAirCargo #FreightRates #JetFuel #SupplyChain #Logistics #FreightBuyersClub #AirCargoUnpacked #OntegosCloud #BalticAirFreightIndex #TACIndex #DHL #Emirates | — | ||||||
| 4/2/26 |  Middle East Conflict 2026: Global Shipping and Trade Crisis ft. Lars Jensen and Greg Knowler | The Strait of Hormuz has been closed to commercial shipping since the end of February. One month on, the world is still counting the cost. Freight rates are rising, bunkers and jet fuel are running short, and the risk of escalation into the Red Sea and beyond is growing. In this episode of The Freight Buyers' Club, Mike King is joined by two of the most respected voices in the industry: Lars Jensen, CEO, Vespucci Maritime Greg Knowler, Europe Editor, Journal of Commerce Together they cover: ✅ Is the Middle East conflict actually a global shipping crisis — or a regional one? ✅ Container shipping rates: are we heading for a Red Sea-style spike or not? ✅ Bunker fuel shortages in Asia — why availability is becoming a bigger problem than price ✅ Jet fuel shortages and the collapse of air cargo capacity through Gulf hubs ✅ The intermodal alternatives: Saudi Red Sea ports, Khorfakkan, Salalah — and their limits ✅ The danger of escalation: Houthis, Red Sea, Bab-el-Mandeb and the eastern Mediterranean ✅ What US importers are facing on top of the existing tariff chaos ✅ Why supply chain resilience always loses out to efficiency — and what shippers can do about it ✅ Lars Jensen's forecast for container shipping rates in the weeks ahead Produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group, leading Asia-Pacific freight forwarder and logistics provider. https://dimerco.com #MiddleEastConflict #ContainerShipping #GlobalTrade #SupplyChain #Freight #ShippingCrisis #Hormuz #AirCargo #BunkerFuel #FreightRates #SupplyChainResilience #FreightBuyersClub #LarsJensen #GregKnowler #Dimerco #OceanFreight #Logistics #Intermodal #RedSea #TradeDisruption | — | ||||||
| 3/30/26 |  LATAM Cargo CEO: Perishables, Trade Wars and Growing a 19-Freighter Fleet | Recorded live at the IATA World Cargo Symposium in Lima, Peru, Mike King sits down with Andres Bianchi, CEO of LATAM Cargo, the cargo arm of the largest airline group in South America. Andres breaks down LATAM Cargo's network across North America, Europe and intra-South America, their fleet of 19 Boeing 767 freighters, and why 65% of their cargo is special cargo, dominated by perishables like Chilean salmon, Ecuadorian flowers and Peruvian fruit. We cover the structural changes hitting e-commerce and de minimis exemptions across Latin America, how LATAM Cargo planned for multiple tariff scenarios without having to implement most of them, and how the Middle East conflict is sending shockwaves through supply chains. Andres also explains how LATAM Cargo handles fuel surcharge transparency with customers in a volatile pricing environment, and outlines plans for 5 to 7% belly capacity growth in 2026, with a focus on cargo-heavy European routes including Amsterdam and Brussels. Topics covered: IATA World Cargo Symposium 2025 takeaways LATAM Cargo fleet and network overview Perishables, pharma and lithium battery cargo US tariffs, trade war and de minimis changes Middle East conflict and supply chain disruption Fuel surcharges and price volatility LATAM Cargo 2026 growth outlook This content is brought to you by Dimerco Express Group. Learn more at dimerco.com. #AirCargo #AirFreight #LATAMCargo #IATAWorldCargoSymposium #FreightBuyersClub #SouthAmericaFreight #Perishables #ColdChain #LogisticsPodcast #FreightPodcast #SupplyChain #Ecommerce #DeMinimis #Tariffs #TradeWar #FuelSurcharge #CargoFleet #FreightMarket #AirCargoIndustry #Dimerco | — | ||||||
| 3/26/26 |  Logistics Tech Procurement: The Questions Every Freight Buyer Should Ask Vendors | Logistics technology promises a lot. But how do you know if a vendor is selling you reality or a roadmap? In this Freight Buyers' Club interview from TPM26 in Long Beach, Mike King sits down with independent logistics technology consultant Mike DeAngelis, who has worked across Maersk, INTTRA, WiseTech Global, project44 and FourKites, to get the questions every freight buyer and shipper should be asking before they commit. From clean versus dirty data to the risks of automating AI workflows on unreliable sources, Mike DeAngelis cuts through the sales pitch to give shippers a practical framework for evaluating any logistics tech platform. LogTech Industry veteran, ex - Maersk, INTTRA, WiseTech Global, p44, FourKites In this interview: Why the sales pitch and the software are often two different things What clean data actually means and why it matters for AI How to structure a vendor conversation around your use cases, not their features Why you should always ask for a live demo, not a PowerPoint The importance of getting your actual users in the room Why reference customers are one of the most valuable and underused evaluation tools Whether you are assessing a visibility platform, a TMS, or an AI-driven workflow tool, the framework here applies across the board. This content was brought to you by Ontegos Cloud, freight forwarder profitability specialists. #FreightBuyers #LogisticsTech #SupplyChain #FreightProcurement #AI #ShippingTech #FreightBuyersClub | — | ||||||
| 3/23/26 |  Before You Add AI to Your Freight Systems, Fix This First | Peter Creeden, MPC International | Everyone's talking about AI. Peter Creeden thinks we're building on sand. Peter Creeden, MD of MPC International and advisor to the IMO's Port Call Optimization task force, joined Mike King at TPM26 in Long Beach to make the case that shipping's data foundations need to come before any AI investment. From the IMO's new PCO Guide to e-bills of lading, smart contracts, and scope three emissions reporting in Australia, Peter maps out the digital layer cake that has to exist before AI can actually deliver. If you're a freight buyer evaluating visibility platforms, digital tools, or AI-powered freight systems, this one is required viewing. Guest: Peter Creeden, MD, MPC International This content is brought to you by Dimerco Express Group [https://dimerco.com/] #FreightBuyersClub #TPM26 #SupplyChain #ArtificialIntelligence #DigitalTransformation #Shipping #FreightTech #PortCallOptimization #IMO #LogisticsTech #EBillOfLading #Decarbonization #OceanFreight #FreightBuyers #SmartContracts | — | ||||||
| 3/17/26 |  United Cargo's Jan Krems: No Freighters, No Problem - War, Disruption and Why Cargo Is Still Sexy | Air cargo doesn't stop for war. It reroutes. Jan Krems, President of United Cargo, joins Mike King at the IATA World Cargo Symposium in Lima, Peru, for one of the most candid conversations in recent air freight memory. With Middle East airspace closed, fuel prices up sixty to seventy percent, and tariff policy shifting overnight, Jan explains how United keeps cargo moving when the world keeps throwing curveballs. His model is built on belly capacity, smart partnerships, and access to freighter space rather than ownership of it - a position he defends with characteristic Dutch directness. On the growth side, Jan talks through United's pharmaceutical business in India, new Southeast Asia services into Vietnam and Thailand, and where he sees opportunity in a market disrupted by both conflict and trade policy chaos. He also breaks down how United thinks about automation, AI, and the one thing technology still cannot replace: people with a cargo heart. Thirty-nine years in the industry. Twelve with United. And cargo, he says, is still sexy. Recorded live at WCS Lima, March 2026. This episode of the Freight Buyers Club is supported by Dimerco Express Group. https://dimerco.com/ CHAPTERS 00:00 Welcome from WCS Lima 01:00 Five years of disruption: COVID, Ukraine and the Middle East 03:00 Middle East airspace closure: impact, fuel costs and workarounds 05:00 Tariffs: coping when policy changes overnight 07:00 India, pharma and new Southeast Asia routes 09:00 South America: how United serves the region 10:00 The freighter question: why Jan will never own one 11:30 Fleet investment, specialty products and the cool chain 13:00 AI, automation and the 50/25/25 booking model 14:30 Thirty-nine years in the industry and why cargo is still sexy #AirCargo #FreightBuyers #UnitedCargo #SupplyChain #Logistics #AirFreight #GlobalTrade #FreightMarket #Shipping #CargoIsSexy | — | ||||||
| 3/12/26 |  Air Cargo: Capacity Shocks, War and What Comes Next | Ray Zedov, Rotate | The Middle East war sent shockwaves through global air cargo markets almost overnight. 18% of global capacity disappeared within 48 hours. Mike King sits down with Ray Zedov, Commercial Director at Rotate, at IATA World Cargo Symposium in Lima to break down what the data actually shows - from grounded Gulf carriers and rerouted integrators to Vietnam's supply chain surge and what shippers should be watching for in the months ahead. This content is proudly supported by Dimerco Express Group, your ideal freight forwarding partner for Transpacific Asia and beyond. Learn more at https://dimerco.com/ #AirCargo #MiddleEastWar #FreightBuyersClub #Rotate #Dimerco #AirCargoNews #SupplyChain #Freight #IATAWCS #Lima2026 | — | ||||||
| 3/11/26 |  Air Cargo Unpacked l Middle East War Analysis | Recorded live at the IATA World Cargo Symposium in Lima, Air Cargo Unpacked brings together host Mike King, United Cargo President Jan Krems, TAC Index Founder Peyton Burnett and co-host Neel Jones Shah for the definitive air cargo briefing on the Middle East war. Capacity on the Asia-Europe corridor has collapsed by more than 40% on some routes. Charter prices have tripled. Jet fuel has hit levels not seen in years. And ocean shipping is in simultaneous chaos. This episode covers what's happening, why it matters, what freight buyers should do right now, and where this goes next. Sponsored by Ontegos Cloud — freight forwarder profitability specialists. | — | ||||||
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| 3/4/26 |  Exclusive: Hapag-Lloyd CEO Rolf Habben Jansen on Iran, Suez & Zim | In this exclusive interview at TPM26 in Long Beach, Mike King is talking to Rolf Habben Jansen, CEO of Hapag-Lloyd, to discuss three of the biggest stories shaping container shipping right now. Rolf gives his take on the proposed Zim acquisition and what it means for freight buyers, the impact of US and Israeli strikes on Iran and what that means for ships currently stuck in the Persian Gulf, and whether a return to the Suez Canal is now further away than ever. He also shares his view on the container shipping supply and demand balance, why he sees underlying demand as still strong, and how shippers should think about US inventory levels and the transpacific market heading into the rest of 2026. This content is supported by Dimerco, a global freight forwarding and logistics network that believes in the value of independent journalism in the freight industry. Find out more at https://dimerco.com/ #TPM26 #ZimDeal #SuezCanal #IranStrikes #ContainerShipping #FreightMarket #HapagLloyd #LogisticsNews #SupplyChain #FreightBuyers | — | ||||||
| 3/3/26 |  The Rules Just Changed: Tariffs, Iran & What Freight Buyers Do Next | Paul Bingham, S&P Global | The US and Israel have struck Iran. The Supreme Court has struck down the IEEPA tariffs. And every freight buyer is asking the same question: what do we actually plan for now? Mike King sits down with Paul Bingham, Director of Transportation Consulting, Economics and Country Risk at S&P Global Market Intelligence, at TPM26 in Long Beach to make sense of it all. They cover: The Iran strikes and what they mean for oil prices, Hormuz and Gulf shipping lanes The Supreme Court IEEPA ruling and Trump's Section 122 replacement tariffs Tariff refunds: what importers need to know Why countries that did deals with Washington are now worse off than those that didn't Scorecard on US trade policy: did it work? Can freight buyers plan around blanket tariffs? The $901 billion US trade deficit: reshaped or just rerouted? Where inventories stand heading into 2026 The outlook for US imports in 2026 This episode is produced with the support of Dimerco Express, a leading freight forwarder and supply chain solutions provider across Asia and beyond. https://dimerco.com/ | — | ||||||
| 2/23/26 |  Carrier Consolidation, AI & Freight Fraud: Gebrüder Weiss North America CEO Mark McCullough | Freight buying strategy is being tested like never before. Tariff whiplash, carrier consolidation, AI adoption and nobody quite knows what comes next. Mark McCullough, CEO of Gebrüder Weiss North America, joins Mike King for a frank conversation about how one of the world's leading freight forwarders is navigating the uncertainty and what it means for shippers. They cover the proposed Hapag-Lloyd/ZIM merger and what less competition really means for freight buyers, why shippers are firmly in the driving seat on the Trans-Pacific right now, and how tariff uncertainty is forcing companies into three-tiered contingency strategies rather than long-term capital deployment. Mark also opens up about freight fraud costing Gebrüder Weiss hundreds of thousands of dollars a year, how sophisticated double-brokering scams are targeting freight forwarders, and what the industry needs to do about it. Plus an honest account of GW's automation journey, what's working, what's been expensive, and why bad data will kill your AI investment before it starts. And how a funeral, a few too many drinks, and a South African aunt launched one of North America's most senior freight executives into a career in logistics. Sponsored by OntegosCloud, the freight forwarder profitability specialist. Featured: Hapag-Lloyd Buys ZIM Explained: Why Freight Buyers Should Care https://youtu.be/4u6wCfwUvc0 Why Great Freight Forwarders Thrive in Chaos | #44 | Freight Buyers Club https://youtu.be/9yuq3xbkp_c The Good, The Bad, and the ANC: South Africa’s Logistics on the Brink https://youtu.be/POyM0kHGMeg Topics covered: 0:00 Introduction — Mike King welcomes Gebrüder Weiss North America CEO Mark McCullough and previews the episode 01:45 Hapag-Lloyd/ZIM Merger — Is carrier consolidation good for freight buyers or just less competition dressed up as efficiency? 03:00 Trans-Pacific Outlook — Excess capacity, blank sailings, depressed rates and what the next 12 to 18 months looks like 05:00 Shippers in the Driver's Seat — Why forwarders like GW actually prefer higher freight rates and what that means for contract season 07:00 Tariffs and Capital Deployment — Why uncertainty is stopping shippers from committing to long-term strategy and the three-tiered contingency approach 11:00 Freight Fraud Revealed — How double-brokering scams cost Gebrüder Weiss $600,000 in a single year and how they work in practice 16:00 Automation and AI at GW — Bots, document splitting, carrier vetting tech and how offshore teams are being upskilled 19:00 The Data Problem — Why bad data killed their AI investment early and what they had to do to fix it 21:30 Clean Data Advice — Mark's blunt advice to any company thinking about AI investment right now 22:00 How Mark Got Into Freight — A funeral, a few white wines and a South African aunt who changed everything | — | ||||||
| 2/18/26 |  Hapag-Lloyd Buys ZIM Explained: Why Freight Buyers Should Care | Hapag-Lloyd has agreed to acquire ZIM for $4.2 billion, creating a combined fleet of 400+ vessels. In this mini Freight Buyers' Club, Nils Roche (ex-CMA CGM, Maersk, PIL) breaks down what this deal means for the liner industry, for the Gemini Cooperation, for MSC, and crucially, for freight buyers. We cover: The deal structure and Israel's "golden share" carve-out What happens to ZIM's vessel sharing agreement with MSC How this strengthens Gemini and shifts alliance dynamics Fewer carriers = more blank sailing control Who's next? PIL, Wan Hai, HMM as potential targets The new M&A model: joint ventures with national stakes This mini Freight Buyers' Club is brought to you by Ontegos Cloud, the freight forwarder profitability specialist: https://www.ontegoscloud.com Guest: Nils Roche, Founder of Solvens Advisory Host: Mike King | — | ||||||
| 2/16/26 |  Air Cargo Unpacked | MD-11 Retirement, Capacity Crunch, E-Commerce & TAC Rates | The freighter capacity crunch is real. In this episode of Air Cargo Unpacked, Mike King and Neel Jones Shah break down UPS retiring its MD-11 fleet, why the aircraft backlog won't normalise until the 2030s, and what it means for air cargo rates. Plus: Dimerco's Kathy Liu on Chinese New Year from Shanghai, exclusive rate analysis from TAC Index's Neil Wilson, and how de minimis policy changes are reshaping e-commerce flows out of China - with North America down 33% and Europe up 22%. We also cover Maersk dumping its 767s for 777s on trans-Pacific, and what the new US-India trade deal could mean for air freight demand. Featuring: Mike King, Host & Executive Producer Neel Jones Shah, Co-Host (ex-Delta, United, Flexport) Kathy Liu, VP Global Sales & Marketing, Dimerco Express Group Neil Wilson, Editor, TAC Index Air Cargo Unpacked is a monthly Freight Buyers' Club production, brought to you by OntegosCloud, the freight forwarder profitability specialist. https://www.ontegos.cloud/ Subscribe for monthly air freight market analysis. #AirCargoUnpacked #FreightBuyersClub #Logistics #AirFreight #Shipping #CargoCapacity #DeMinimis #ChineseNewYear #TACIndex #Ecommerce #GlobalTrade 00:00 Welcome to Air Cargo Unpacked 01:00 UPS Retires MD-11 Fleet 02:30 10% of Widebody Freighter Capacity at Risk 04:30 Aircraft Backlog Hits 17,000 06:00 Conversion Costs Soaring: $80m for a 777 08:00 Chinese New Year: Kathy Liu from Shanghai 10:00 China Plus One: Southeast Asia Booming 12:00 Neel on CNY: Why This Year Is Different 15:30 TAC Index Rate Analysis with Neil Wilson 17:00 Shanghai Rates Up 9% Year on Year 18:00 Spot vs Contract Rates Explained 21:00 De Minimis: US Down 33%, Europe Up 22% 23:00 E-Commerce Is Like a Raging River 24:30 Maersk Sells 767 Freighters to Amazon 27:00 US-India Trade Deal: Stability Returns | — | ||||||
| 2/11/26 |  EXCLUSIVE: FMC Chair Laura DiBella on Trump's Maritime Dominance & Global Enforcement Powers | In this exclusive interview, Laura DiBella, the newly confirmed Chair of the Federal Maritime Commission, outlines the agency's aggressive new approach to protecting U.S. shippers and enforcing maritime trade compliance on a global scale. DiBella explains how the FMC is shifting from a reactive referee of commercial disputes to a proactive "consumer protection agency" with the authority to investigate global chokepoints, shadow fleets, foreign policy barriers, and domestic rail bottlenecks affecting American cargo. Key topics covered: Trump's mandate to "resurrect U.S. dominance in the maritime arena" The FMC's expanded global enforcement powers under OSRA 2022 Investigating chokepoints like Suez Canal and Malacca Strait Shadow fleet and flags of convenience investigations How the FMC can penalize foreign governments that block U.S. cargo What shippers should document and when to engage the FMC Detention and demurrage protections and enforcement priorities Rail and chassis bottlenecks in Middle America Why the FMC wants to act before problems escalate Laura DiBella's background: Former Florida Secretary of Commerce under Governor Ron DeSantis, Executive Director of the Florida Harbor Pilots Association, and President & CEO of Enterprise Florida. She was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in December 2025 and designated FMC Chair by President Trump on January 28, 2026. This episode is produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group. https://dimerco.com/ If you're a freight buyer, shipper, logistics manager, or supply chain professional planning for 2026, this interview is essential listening. Subscribe to The Freight Buyers' Club for more exclusive interviews and supply chain insights. | — | ||||||
| 2/9/26 |  What's Next for US Shippers? TPM26 Special + EXCLUSIVE FMC Chair Interview | What should US shippers expect in 2026? This TPM 26 special covers transpacific contracting, the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern rail merger, and features an EXCLUSIVE interview with new Federal Maritime Commission Chair Laura DiBella. Produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group. PART 1: TPM 26 PREVIEW Mark Szakonyi (Executive Editor, Journal of Commerce) and Lori Fellmer (VP Logistics, BassTech International) break down: - Transpacific contracting season outlook - Demand signals and capacity challenges - How SME shippers are treated in a bearish market - Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger implications for IPI cargo - OSRA 2022 effectiveness: detention & demurrage protections PART 2: EXCLUSIVE FMC CHAIR INTERVIEW Laura DiBella outlines her vision for the Federal Maritime Commission under Trump's maritime mandate: - From reactive to proactive enforcement - Global investigations: Spain, chokepoints (Suez, Malacca Strait), shadow fleets - "We're now a consumer protection agency" - what this means for shippers - New enforcement powers: penalties, sanctions, port denial for foreign governments - Domestic bottlenecks: containers, rail, chassis in Middle America - When shippers should contact the FMC KEY QUOTES: "Action. Always action." - Laura DiBella on what shippers should expect "We've become more of a consumer protection agency." - On the FMC's evolving mission ABOUT THE GUESTS: - Laura DiBella - Chair, Federal Maritime Commission - Mark Szakonyi - Executive Editor, Journal of Commerce - Lori Fellmer - VP Logistics & Carrier Management, BassTech International This episode was produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group - https://dimerco.com/. Subscribe to the Freight Buyers' Club for weekly insights on freight buying, carrier negotiations, and supply chain strategy. | — | ||||||
| 1/22/26 |  Fractured Trade: How Geopolitics Will Reshape Global Supply Chains in 2026 | Global trade isn't ending. It's fracturing along geopolitical lines. And it's reshaping supply chains, technology systems, and the entire logistics landscape as we enter 2026. The signals are unmistakable. Greenland threats. US-Europe tensions mounting. Trade wars escalating. This is no longer theoretical. Supply chain directors need to understand what's coming and how to prepare. In this critical roundtable, Mike King brings together three leading voices to break down how US-China competition, tariff volatility, shifting trade blocs, and technology will reshape supply chains right now and through the year ahead. Neil Shearing is Chief Economist at Capital Economics and author of The Fractured Age. He explains why we're not seeing deglobalization but rather a splintering of the global economy into competing US and China-led blocs. And why this matters far more than simple tariff rates. Marc Levinson is an economic historian and author of Outside the Box. He challenges the bloc theory with real world examples of trade policy chaos. He reveals why mega-ships may become obsolete, what's really driving trade now (spoiler: AI infrastructure), and why the logistics industry's capital investments could become stranded. Ashley Skaanild is Principal Advisor Carrier Integration and Transformation at WiseTech Global. He brings operational reality to the macro debate. Drawing on platform data from millions of shipments and a Reuters survey of 450+ supply chain leaders, he shows how companies are actually preparing and where technology sprawl is creating blind spots. Together, they tackle the questions keeping supply chain directors awake: How do you plan supply chains when policy changes overnight? Can you build resilience without bankrupting operations? What role will technology play in the fractured landscape ahead? Essential listening for freight buyers, logistics managers, and anyone navigating supply chains, geopolitics, and digital transformation in 2026. Show note links: LEANER, SMARTER, FASTER AND MORE CONNECTED: SUPPLY CHAINS EVOLVE TO MEET RISING VOLATILITY AND COST PRESSURES A Reuters Events, Supply Chain white paper in partnership with CargoWise Download here: https://www.cargowise.com/de-de/news/the-new-supply-chain-playbook-how-leaders-are-responding-to-cost-pressure-and-volatility/ The Fractured Age: How the Return of Geopolitics Will Splinter the Global Economy, by Neil Shearing https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fractured-Age-Geopolitics-Splinter-Economy/dp/1399825720 Outside the Box: How Globalization Changed from Moving Stuff to Spreading Ideas, by Marc Levinson https://www.amazon.co.uk/Outside-Box-Globalization-Changed-Spreading/dp/069119176X #GeopoliticsTrade #Freight #Technology #LogTech #GlobalTrade #Logistics #Tariffs #2026Outlook #Wisetech #FreightBuyersClub #CapitalEconomics 00:00 – Trade Is Now a Weapon: Why Global Trade Is Fracturing Trade policy as coercion, resilience costs, AI driving trade growth 01:00 – Welcome to 2026: Geopolitics, Trade Chaos, and Tech Strain Greenland tariffs, fractured alliances, and why supply chains are under pressure 02:05 – Biggest Surprise of 2025: Tariffs, Allies Hit, and Tech U-Turns Neil Shearing on Trump tariffs, China, and relaxed chip controls 04:10 – Why Policy Chaos Matters More Than Tariff Levels Marc Levinson on volatility vs predictable trade costs 05:10 – AI Drove Half of Global Trade Growth Last Year Why servers, chips, and AI infrastructure now shape trade flows 06:15 – Operational Reality: Red Sea, Alliances, and Schedule Reliability Ashley Skaanild on shipping chaos and how trade adapts 08:00 – Are We De-Globalising or Splintering Into Trade Blocs? Neil... | — | ||||||
| 1/20/26 |  Air Cargo Unpacked: Launch Episode | Geopolitical Chaos, CNY Outlook & IATA's 2026 Forecast | Co-hosted by award-winning journalist Mike King and air cargo veteran Neel Jones Shah (ex-Delta, United, Flexport) with exclusive TAC Index market intelligence and IATA's 2026 forecast from Brendan Sullivan, Global Head of Cargo. Welcome to the launch episode of Air Cargo Unpacked - your monthly deep dive into air freight markets, capacity dynamics, and what actually matters for people who buy air cargo services. This episode features exclusive data from the Baltic Exchange Air Freight Index, powered by TAC Index. In this episode: Geopolitical chaos and air cargo resilience - Why 2026 kicked off with unprecedented uncertainty, from Greenland tensions to trade wars, yet China posted a record $1.2 trillion trade surplus Chinese New Year 2026 impact - How CNY falling 2.5 weeks later than 2025 is impacting markets and what forwarders and carriers should expect in the lead-up and restart IATA's 2026 outlook - Brendan Sullivan identifies the three biggest headwinds (capacity constraints, regulatory complexity, economic uncertainty) and three opportunities (digitalization, e-commerce growth, agility as competitive advantage) E-commerce shifts post-de minimis - The reality behind Shein and Temu's strategy after US ended the $800 exemption, and where e-commerce flows are redirecting (hint: South America, Europe, Africa) MD-11 freighter crisis – with some 60 aircraft grounded, integrators are scrambling for replacement 767 and 747 capacity Exclusive TAC Index market data - Neil Wilson breaks down peak season performance, capacity constraints, Taiwan semiconductor boom, and why intra-Asia rates are up 23% year-on-year Capacity crunch reality - Why the aircraft delivery backlog means tight capacity, higher yields, and limited flexibility for shippers throughout 2026 Key themes: Air cargo thrives on chaos, but not all chaos is equal. This episode unpacks which disruptions benefit air freight and which threaten growth - plus what the data actually shows about where the market is heading. Links: TAC Index: https://www.tacindex.com Ontegos Cloud: https://www.ontegos.cloud/ Brought to you by Ontegos Cloud - the freight forwarder profitability specialist helping forwarders turn operational effort into economic control. Learn more at ontegoscloud.com Subscribe and follow for monthly market intelligence, exclusive data, and insights from the people shaping global air cargo. Timestamps 00:00 Introduction & Welcome to Air Cargo Unpacked 00:30 Geopolitical Chaos: Greenland, Venezuela, Iran & the Red Sea 02:00 China's Record $1.2 Trillion Trade Surplus Explained 04:00 E-commerce as a River: Finding Routes Despite Trade Wars 06:00 Does Air Cargo Thrive on Chaos? 08:00 End of De Minimis: Impact on Shein, Temu & E-commerce Volumes 11:00 2026 Vertical Focus: AI, Semiconductors & Taiwan Trade Deal 14:00 TAC Index Exclusive: Peak Season Analysis & Rate Trends 18:00 Taiwan Strength, MD-11 Groundings & Capacity Constraints 21:00 Chinese New Year Outlook: What to Expect in February 25:00 Aircraft Maintenance & The Aging Freighter Fleet 28:00 IATA's Brendan Sullivan: Top Headwinds & Opportunities for 2026 | — | ||||||
| 1/13/26 |  Geopolitics is #1 Risk: Container Lines Face Consolidation as Trade Blocs Reshape Shipping | Container shipping enters 2026 facing a perfect storm: deepening geopolitical fractures, a historic vessel orderbook driving severe overcapacity, and the growing likelihood that services will soon return fully to the Suez Canal. Could this trigger a new wave of consolidation among smaller container lines? For freight buyers, this creates both uncertainty and potential negotiating leverage. In this episode, Mike King speaks with two voices from opposite ends of the shipping spectrum: James Hookham - Director of the Global Shippers Forum, representing cargo owners worldwide and demanding carriers deliver "solutions, not surcharges" Robbert van Trooijen - Founder of Inception Partners, former Maersk Regional President across Asia Pacific and Latin America for 15 years This episode is produced in partnership with Dimerco Express Group, a global 3PL specialising in Asia-Pacific supply chains. If your sourcing or manufacturing runs through Asia, they’re worth a look: https://www.dimerco.com KEY INSIGHTS: ✅ Why geopolitics is now the #1 line item on shipper risk lists ✅ How US-China bloc competition forces countries like Indonesia and Panama to choose sides ✅ Suez partial reopening creating port chaos in China and Northern Europe ✅ Historic vessel orderbook (one-third of existing fleet) driving severe overcapacity ✅ "Gap between top 4 carriers and rest widening to uncomfortable size" - consolidation wave predicted ✅ Why Gemini's 90% reliability is great, but will it last and why aren’t other carriers doing better? ✅ How surcharges become carriers' profit protection tool when rates fall ✅ Contract strategy: 60/40 or 70/30 splits recommended, consider index-based deals ✅ Why APM Terminals earns 17% returns while carriers struggle with single digits ✅ Trade deal outcomes (USMCA, US-China, US-EU) will reshape 2026 freight flows TIMESTAMPS: 00:00 - Cold Open: Quote teases from James & Robbert 01:00 - Intro & Sponsor: Dimerco Express Group 02:00 - Guest Introductions: James Hookham & Robbert van Trooijen ACT 1: GEOPOLITICS & SUPPLY CHAIN VULNERABILITY 03:00 - Is geopolitics the #1 line item on shipper risk lists for 2026? 03:45 - Robbert on "Choke Points" book and economic warfare 04:15 - "The Fractured Age" - Two-bloc world led by US-China 05:00 - Panama's forced choice: Rhetoric vs reality 06:00 - James: Supply chains as targets in great power competition 07:15 - "If you like your job unpredictable... being a freight buyer is the place to be in 2026" 08:00 - WTF acronym: "We got to day three, didn't we Mike?" 09:00 - Overcapacity "might just come to a head in 26" 10:00 - Post-de minimis world: What it means for e-commerce shippers ACT 2: CONTAINER SHIPPING FUNDAMENTALS 12:45 - Pre-Chinese New Year rate bump: Seasonal or structural? 13:00 - "One third of existing fleet on order" - Historic overcapacity explained 14:00 - Choke points shifting from ocean to landside capacity 15:00 - Port congestion: China, Northern Europe, US infrastructure gaps 16:00 - Chinese port cranes controversy impacting US investments 16:45 - Has reliability actually improved? James' assessment 17:30 - Gemini alliance: Customer service "at the forefront of their thinking" 18:00 - Working capital tied up in invento... | — | ||||||
| 1/6/26 |  Bjorn Vang Jensen: Venezuela to Suez, Spot vs Contract Strategy & What Freight Buyers Must Know in 2026 | Freight rates, container capacity, and tender strategies are about to get complicated in 2026 — and Bjorn Vang Jensen is here to cut through the noise. Bjorn Vang Jensen (EVP Global Head of Ocean at EasySpeed International Logistics) has worn every hat in the freight industry: buyer, forwarder, consultant, and shipping executive. With 38 years of experience including major freight buying roles at electronics and automotive giants, he brings a unique perspective on what's really shaping container markets in 2026. IN THIS EPISODE WE COVER: - Venezuela intervention and Greenland threats: What actually impacts freight markets vs. what's just noise- The 3 big factors shaping freight in 2026: Tariffs, geopolitics, and the Suez Canal return- Why carriers will drip-feed the Suez reopening (not flood it) — and what that means for Asia-Europe rates- The 70/30 contract strategy: Why Bjorn's 13-year data analysis shows contract rates beat spot- Container shipping reliability: Can carriers charge more for it? Should you pay for it?- China+1 becomes 3+China: The real sourcing trends happening in 2026- Why geopolitical risk is now "line item #1" in every freight budget (not just a checkbox) KEY QUOTES: "For every week you have port problems, it takes a month to dig yourself out." "70% contract, 30% spot — that's my recommendation for 2026." "Geopolitical upheaval used to be a checkbox risk. Now it's the #1 bullet point." ABOUT BJORN VANG JENSEN:EVP Global Head of Ocean at EasySpeed International Logistics, with previous senior roles as a major freight buyer at global electronics and automotive companies. 38 years in container shipping. This episode is produced with the support of OntegosCloud — the freight forwarder profitability specialist. RELATED EPISODE:We Need to Talk About…Reliability: Container Shipping's Problem Childhttps://youtu.be/0B_EsmxkY9Y Hosted by Mike King, award-winning business journalist specializing in global trade, shipping, and logistics. https://youtu.be/0B_EsmxkY9Y TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Intro & Guest Introduction1:00 - Tender Season & What Bjorn's Up To2:43 - Venezuela & Greenland: Geopolitical Noise vs. Reality6:57 - The 3 Big Factors Shaping 202610:22 - Suez Canal Return Strategy: Chaos or Managed Roll-Out?14:50 - Carrier Strategy: Capacity, Blanking & Rate Management18:10 - Container Shipping Reliability: Can You Charge for It?21:52 - Trans-Pacific Buying Strategy: The 70/30 Rule23:50 - Asia-Europe Contract Data: Only 2 Windows Where Spot Won26:00 - Why Relationships Matter in Contract Negotiations27:00 - Sourcing Trends: China+1 Becomes "3+China"29:40 - Geopolitical Risk: From Checkbox to Line Item #131:00 - Wrap & Final Advice | — | ||||||
| 12/16/25 |  We Need to Talk About…Reliability: Container Shipping’s Problem Child | Global container shipping reliability has improved in 2025, but the gains are fragile. In this episode, we examine what’s really driving the numbers, why performance is already slipping, and what shippers should expect as they plan for 2026. In this episode, produced with the support of OntegosCloud (https://www.ontegos.cloud/), we break down the latest reliability data from Sea-Intelligence and Xeneta, analyse the widening performance gap between carriers and alliances, and look at how capacity growth, orderbooks, freight rates and potential Suez Canal routing changes could affect service consistency in the months ahead. Industry experts Nils Roche (Solvens Advisory; ex-CMA CGM, Maersk, PIL) and Kathy Liu (VP Global Sales & Marketing, Dimerco Express Group) share their insights on shipper concerns, possible congestion scenarios, and the risks of renewed market volatility. In this episode: Current global schedule reliability trends How much of the improvement is driven by demand versus capacity Carrier-by-carrier and alliance reliability performance The impact of the Gemini Cooperation (Maersk + Hapag-Lloyd) Orderbook growth and what it means for supply/demand Red Sea/Suez Canal routing and congestion risks How falling rates could trigger blank sailings and reliability deterioration What shippers should prepare for in 2026 This is essential viewing for importers, exporters, freight forwarders and supply chain professionals who rely on stable ocean schedules and need clarity on the risks ahead. #ContainerShipping #OceanFreight #ScheduleReliability #SupplyChain #Logistics #FreightMarket #ShippingIndustry #Maersk #HapagLloyd #SuezCanal | — | ||||||
| 12/10/25 |  Paul Berger (WSJ) on Tariffs, Crane Security and the One Freight Market at Risk of Recession in 2026 | Paul Berger of The Wall Street Journal’s Logistics Report joins the Freight Buyers’ Club to break down the biggest supply chain stories to watch in 2026 — from tariff battles and port policy shifts to the deepening US trucking recession, the crane crackdown, EV trucking setbacks, Canada–US trade flows, and what reopening the Suez Canal could mean for global shipping. We cover the forces reshaping global trade, why supply chains remain so volatile, and how policy moves out of Washington and Beijing could impact shippers, forwarders, carriers and cargo owners through 2026. This episode was produced with the support of OntegosCloud, the freight forwarder profitability specialists. #SupplyChain #Logistics #GlobalTrade #FreightMarket #WSJ | — | ||||||
| 12/2/25 |  Should I Stay or Should I Go? Suez, China+1 and 2026 Freight Bets | A deep dive into the 2026 freight outlook, the return of Suez routes, China+1 manufacturing shifts, capacity risks and what shippers must prepare for next year. Produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group [https://dimerco.com/]. It’s the Freight Buyers’ Club Holiday Special — a festive wrap-up of a year that delivered more plot twists than a Christmas soap marathon. From tariff shocks to China+1 shifts, Red Sea detours, booming Vietnam factories and air cargo refusing to behave “normally”… 2025 kept shippers on their toes and clutching their eggnog. To make sense of it all, Mike King is joined by a top-tier panel of industry heavyweights: Kathy Liu, VP Global Sales & Marketing, Dimerco Express Group Nils Roche, Founder, Solvens Advisory (ex PIL-Maersk, CMA CGM) Peter Sand, Chief Analyst, Xeneta Together they break down the winners, losers and big surprises of 2025 — and offer a straight-talking look at what freight buyers must prepare for in 2026. Expect sharp insights, a bit of humour, and just enough holiday spirit to take the edge off another volatile year in global logistics. In this special we cover: Tariffs, Trump and the year’s biggest policy whiplash China+1 shifts: what moved, what didn’t and why Vietnam won big Air cargo’s strange but spectacular 2025 Suez, Red Sea and the looming capacity reset Carrier behaviour: orderly alliances, chaotic markets Contracting for 2026: reliability, risk and when to go short vs long Why “Should I Stay or Should I Go?” might be the perfect theme for freight next year If you're planning your 2026 strategy, pour yourself a holiday drink and plug in — this is your end-of-year sanity check. Special thanks to Dimerco Express Group for supporting this holiday edition of The Freight Buyers’ Club. Download Dimerco’s China+1 Logistics Playbook Master International Growth A Legal and Logistical Playbook for Global Expansion Success, with Expert Legal Insight From Addleshaw Goddard https://dimerco.com/ebooks/global-business-expansion-playbook/ #FreightBuyersClub #2026FreightOutlook #SupplyChain #Logistics #ContainerShipping #SuezCanal #ChinaPlusOne #China1 #Tariffs #AirCargo #VietnamManufacturing #GlobalTrade #FreightRates #Dimerco #ShippingIndustry #SupplyChainStrategy #MaritimeLogistics | — | ||||||
| 11/26/25 |  How Air Cargo Defied Forecasts — And What Happens Next? | Air cargo wasn’t supposed to look this strong. Tariffs, the end of de minimis, political whiplash, war, and supply chain reshuffles all pointed to a difficult year. But the opposite happened. In this Freight Buyers Club air cargo special — produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group — Mike King breaks down why the market held up, how shippers and carriers adapted, and what the data really says about the year ahead. We hear from industry leaders on: • Why air cargo defied expectations • The impact of US tariffs and the end of de minimis • China vs Southeast Asia sourcing shifts • E-commerce, AI hardware demand and capacity rerouting • Anchorage and Miami’s record volumes • The 2026 market outlook: risks, growth drivers and unknowns Featuring: Glyn Hughes, Director- General, TIACA Andrea Nicole Wilson, VP, Florida Customs Brokers & Forwarders Association Sean Dolan, CEO, Northlink Aviation Dimitrios “Jimmy” Nares, Section Chief, Cargo Development, Miami International Airport Brandon Fried, Executive Director, The Airforwarders Association Jaime Alvarez, Director of Cargo, Copa Airlines If you want straight-talking analysis on air cargo and global trade, this one’s for you. Subscribe to Freight Buyers Club for more interviews and explainers. Reach out to Dimerco Express Group here: https://dimerco.com/ #AirCargo #AirFreight #SupplyChain #Logistics #GlobalTrade #FreightForwarding #EcommerceLogistics #TradePolicy #AviationCargo #CargoAirlines #SupplyChainNews | — | ||||||
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