Air Cargo Podcast: De minimis, tariffs, and TIACA’s outlook for 2025
2025 has kicked off with unprecedented disruption across global freight, and air cargo is at the centre of the storm. In this episode, co-hosts Mike King and Alex Lennane unpack the biggest stories shaping the industry, from shifting U.S. trade policies to the evolving role of e-commerce in air freight demand. In our exclusive interview with The International Air Cargo Association’s (TIACA) Steven Polmans and Glyn Hughes, we tackle key industry questions: · How geopolitical tensions are impacting supply chains and air space · Whether TIACA is effectively serving members and attracting enough forwarders · If their events are priced accessibly and sufficiently inclusive We preview TIACA's key 2025 events: June's Executive Summit in Hong Kong (hosted by Cathay Cargo) focusing on US-China trade tensions, and November's Air Cargo Forum in Abu Dhabi—now competing directly with Munich's 'transport logistic 2025.' The episode also examines payment and settlement system challenges, sustainability initiatives, and efforts to diversify industry leadership and event panels. This episode is sponsored by Air Charter Service. Guests: Raymon Krishnan, president, The Logistics & Supply Chain Management Society Steven Polmans, chairman, TIACA Glyn Hughes, director general, TIACA Peter Sundara Swamickannu, Singapore-based freight executive for a large BCO Alex Lennane, publisher, The Loadstar Mike King, podcast host and creator, The Loadstar Credits: Produced, edited and hosted by Mike King for The Loadstar www.theloadstar.com
27 Feb 1h
News in Brief Podcast | Week 8 | Schiphol tariffs, Canadian weather and Asia- Europe Capacity
In this episode of The Loadstar’s News in Brief Podcast, host and news reporter Charlotte Goldstone recaps last week’s supply chain news, including how weather is affecting Canadian shippers. She also offers a preview of stories that might appear on The Loadstar this week! She is helped by The Loadstar publisher Alex Lennane, who explains why proposed tariff hikes at Schiphol airport would disproportionally affect freight and summarises her story on an aerospace firm charged with sanctions-busting. The Loadstar’s managing editor, Gavin van Marle, discusses a recent MSC service that seems to have disappeared and how the carrier plans to develop in the Med, plus what the new alliances heave meant for Asia- Europe capacity. This is followed by a round-up of air freight rates from Ms Lennane and an ocean freight rate briefing from Mr van Marle. So, what are you waiting for? This bite-sized news podcast will catch you up on anything you might have missed last week and put you ahead of the curve on this week’s happenings, in just 14 minutes!
23 Feb 14min
News in Brief Podcast | Week 7 | Tariff pandemonium and port congestion
In this episode of The Loadstar’s News in Brief Podcast, host and news reporter Charlotte Goldstone recaps last week’s supply chain news, including the ports battling backlogs and tariff threats. She is helped by The Loadstar publisher Alex Lennane, who explains the possible repercussions of Trump giving the green light to bribery and how different countries are responding to tariff threats. The Loadstar’s managing editor, Gavin van Marle, discusses the odds of a return to the Suez Canal and how MSC has changed its networks. This is followed by a round-up of the air freight rates from Ms Lennane and an ocean freight briefing from Mr van Marle. All this, plus a preview of stories that might appear on The Loadstar this week! So, what are you waiting for? This bite-sized news podcast will catch you up on anything you might have missed last week and put you ahead of the curve on this week’s happenings, in just 16 minutes!
16 Feb 16min
Shippers vs Carriers: ‘A vessel on time is a black swan event’
In this episode of The Loadstar Podcast, host Mike King sits down with James Hookham of the Global Shippers Forum and Bjorn Vang Jensen, EVP Ocean at Easy Speed International Logistics, to unpack the chaos and uncertainty defining global shipping in 2025. From fluctuating spot rates to geopolitical shakeups, tariffs wars to the failures of container lines, they explore why shippers are feeling dazed, confused, and apprehensive. Is the freight industry stuck in a Permacrisis, or is there another way forward that delivers win-wins instead of zero-sum outcomes? Guests: Bjorn Vang Jensen, EVP, Ocean, Easy Speed International Logistics James Hookham, director, Global Shippers Forum Credits: Produced, edited and hosted by Mike King for The Loadstar www.theloadstar.com
12 Feb 53min
News in Brief Podcast | Week 6 | Yo-yoing, de minimis and annual results
In this episode of The Loadstar’s News in Brief Podcast, host and news reporter Charlotte Goldstone recaps last week’s supply chain news, including some countries’ response to the Trump administration, and offers a preview of stories that might appear on The Loadstar this week. She is helped by The Loadstar publisher Alex Lennane who details how airfreight stakeholders are coping with rule and regulation whip-lash, not least changes to de minimis and shipping from China. The Loadstar managing editor, Gavin van Marle, recaps Maersk’s annual results and reveals how the carrier is attracting shippers for Gemini in his ocean-freight rate round up. This is followed by a round-up of the air freight rates from Ms Lennane and a road-freight briefing from Ms Goldstone. All this, and more. So, what are you waiting for? This bite-sized news podcast will catch you up on anything you might have missed last week and put you ahead of the curve on this week’s happenings, in just 16 minutes!
9 Feb 16min
Amazon Air Cargo's new vision: An exclusive interview with GM Tom Bradley
This is a standalone version of Mike King’s interview with Tom Bradley, Director and GM of Amazon Air Cargo, which appeared on the inaugural episode of The Loadstar Air Cargo Podcast, sponsored by Air Charter Service. In it Mike hears about the company’s bold new strategies for 2025 and beyond. From expanding Amazon’s air cargo network to offering third-party services, Tom shares valuable insights into Amazon’s vision for the future of air freight. The conversation dives into the challenges and opportunities of the air cargo industry, the role of AI in logistics, and what sets Amazon Air Cargo apart from the competition. Credits: Produced, edited and hosted by Mike King for The Loadstar www.theloadstar.com
6 Feb 22min
News in Brief Podcast | Week 5 | World Cargo Summit and Gemini
In this episode of The Loadstar’s News in Brief Podcast, host and news reporter Charlotte Goldstone recaps last week’s supply chain news, including the hot topics at the 2025 World Cargo Summit in Bruges. She also offers a preview of stories that might appear on The Loadstar this week. She is helped by The Loadstar managing editor, Gavin van Marle, who says goodbye to the 2M alliance and welcomes in the Gemini Network. He also discusses the latest ocean freight rates and how they have been impacted by Chinese New Year, as well as his recent break down of Donald Trump’s claims to the Panama Canal. All this, and more! So, what are you waiting for? This bite-sized news podcast will catch you up on anything you might have missed last week and put you ahead of the curve on this week’s happenings, in just 16 minutes!
2 Feb 16min
Air Cargo Podcast: New year, new strategies. United Cargo and Amazon Air Cargo reveal all
Welcome to the first episode of The Loadstar's Air Cargo Podcast, where we bring you exclusive insights from the biggest names in the air freight industry. Hosted by Mike King and Alex Lennane, this episode features two major interviews that shed light on the evolving air cargo landscape. First, we speak with Jan Krems, president of United Cargo, who shares his views on market trends, geopolitical challenges, and how United is positioning itself for growth in 2025. From expanding global routes to leveraging technology, Krems offers a deep dive into United Cargo’s future. Then (45.43), Mike sits down with Tom Bradley, Director and GM for Amazon Air Cargo, in what is likely Amazon’s first major air cargo interview. Bradley discusses Amazon’s growing third-party air freight services, AI in logistics, and whether Amazon is on the path to becoming an integrator. Featuring: Tom Bradley, director and general manager, Amazon Air Cargo Jan Krems, president, United Cargo Alex Lennane, publisher, The Loadstar Mike King, podcast host and editor, The Loadstar Credits: Produced, edited and hosted by Mike King for The Loadstar www.theloadstar.com
29 Jan 1h 7min
