News in Brief podcast | Week 47 2025 | Ship fires, Suez standoff and air cargo’s mini peak 

With the US on the brink of a large-scale dockworkers' strike, much is at stake for shippers, global trade and supply chain operators. A shutdown of 36 key ports along the Atlantic seaboard and Gulf Coast from midnight on October 1 could disrupt over half of the nation’s containerised imports and exports, with worldwide ramifications. In this episode, recorded just hours before the strike action was due to begin, we break down the supply chain chaos that has built through September, explore the strike’s potential impact on global shipping, and examine how businesses are scrambling to mitigate disruptions. Guests also weigh in on the ILA-USMX negotiations, the expected effects of a strike on freight rates (air and ocean) and US Presidential elections, and the ripple effects on retailers, shippers, and international trade.   GUESTS: Stephanie Loomis, head of ocean freight, North America, Rhenus Peter Sand, chief analyst, Xeneta Mike Steenhoek, executive director, Soy Transportation Coalition Jon Gold, VP of supply chain and customs policy, National Retail Federation   Credits: Created, hosted and produced by Mike King for The Loadstar www.theloadstar.com

30 Sep 202442min

In this episode of The Loadstar’s News in Brief Podcast, host and news reporter Charlotte Goldstone recaps last week’s supply chain news and offers a preview of stories that might appear on The Loadstar this week.   Ms Goldstone is joined by The Loadstar managing editor, Gavin van Marle, who recaps last week’s ocean freight rates and warns of possible impacts of the imminent dockworker strike on the US East and Gulf coast ports.   Then, The Loadstar publisher Alex Lennane chats about the current airfreight market, gives the latest updates on the DB Schenker takeover and explains what is going on with Seko Logistics' refinancing announcement.   So, what are you waiting for? This bite-sized but jam-packed 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, all in under 15 minutes!   www.theloadstar.com

23 Sep 202414min

In this episode of The Loadstar podcast, we dive deep into the world of AI and its transformative potential for the supply chain industry. Is the buzz surrounding AI warranted, or is it just another passing trend? Host Mike King sits down with Greg Kefer, Chief Marketing Officer at Raft, the world’s largest logistics AI platform, to separate fact from fiction. Together, they explore how AI is reshaping global supply chains, from routing cargo to automating processes and improving efficiency. Greg shares insights from his extensive experience at GT Nexus, Slync, and Raft, to illuminate how AI is becoming a true game-changer. The conversation covers current applications of AI in logistics, future possibilities, and how shippers, forwarders, and carriers can adapt to this evolving technology. Credits: Created, produced and edited by Mike King for The Loadstar www.theloadstar.com This podcast has been sponsored by Raft, the world's largest logistics AI platform

17 Sep 202434min

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 her insights from the EU CBEC ecommerce forum. She also offers a preview of stories that might appear on The Loadstar this week.   Ms Goldstone is joined by The Loadstar managing editor, Gavin van Marle, who recaps last week’s ocean freight rates and how they’ve been impacted by the looming ILA strike, plus the announcement of the ‘Premier Alliance’.   Then, The Loadstar publisher Alex Lennane details how the air cargo capacity crunch is affecting stakeholders and what DSV’s winning bid for DB Schenker could mean for the German forwarder.   So, what are you waiting for? This bite-sized but jam-packed 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, all in under 10 minutes!    www.theloadstar.com

16 Sep 202410min

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 ILA union’s plans to create a ‘mega-union’, and the latest on the bid for DB Schenker.   She also offers a preview of stories that might appear on The Loadstar this week. Ms Goldstone is joined by The Loadstar managing editor, Gavin van Marle, who recaps last week’s ocean freight rates, the recent talk of Wan Hai’s invitation to join an alliance, and MSC subsidiary Medlog’s acquisition of Maritime Transport.   Then, The Loadstar publisher Alex Lennane reveals what’s driving air cargo’s steady growth, and how long it’s expected to last. Ms Lennane then warns of an issue with A350 aircraft and summarises her story on “unconventional incendiary devices” being sent via freight services.   So, what are you waiting for? This bite-sized but jam-packed 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, all in under 15 minutes!   www.theloadstar.com

9 Sep 202414min

In Part 1, host Mike King and guests analyse the ongoing bidding war for DB Schenker, the increasing demand and rate spikes for Asia-Europe rail freight, and the impact of union disputes on logistics operations in Canada, Germany, the US, and India. They also discuss the reasons behind soaring air freight rates ahead of the traditional peak season, examine new US air cargo security rules, and explore the alarming threat posed to EU freight companies by incendiary devices. In Part 2, attention turns to port operations, exploring how ports might enhance supply chain transparency and reduce risks for shippers. Representatives from Hamburg Port Authority and IKEA Supply discuss the role of ports in managing data, fostering collaboration, and improving cargo traceability.   Guests: Ingrid Boqué Sastre, Global Strategic Networks Officer, Hamburg Port Authority Stefan Krattiger, Business Development Leader Global Ports, Supply Chain Operations , IKEA Supply AG Niall van de Wouw, Chief Airfreight Officer, Xeneta Alex Whiteman, News Editor, The Loadstar   Credits: Created, produced and edited by Mike King for The Loadstar www.theloadstar.com

3 Sep 202443min

In this episode of The Loadstar’s News in Brief Podcast, host and news reporter Charlotte Goldstone recaps last week’s supply chain news and offers a preview of stories that might appear on The Loadstar this week.   She is joined by maritime consultant Mike Wackett who recaps last week’s ocean freight rates and discusses the current global equipment shortage, as well as why Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd are banking on increased feeder ship demand.    Ms Goldstone then gives a brief update on the current labour strike situations in Germany, Canada, India and the US East and Gulf coast. She also touches on a new challenge that a booming airfreight market has presented and how a security change to US customs regulations on airfreight put pressure on foreign airlines.    So, what are you waiting for? This bite-sized but jam-packed 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, all in under 11 minutes!

2 Sep 202411min

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 latest on Canada’s rail strikes, and offers a preview of stories that might appear on The Loadstar this week. She is joined by maritime consultant Mike Wackett who recap’s last week’s ocean freight rates and discusses how the Red Sea diversions are contributing to an active charter market and low-available tonnage.Mr Wackett also summarizes Zim’s H1 financial results and why the ocean carriers might be secretly hoping for US East and Gulf Coast port strikes come October. So, what are you waiting for? This bite-sized but jam-packed 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, all in under 12 minutes!

26 Aug 202410min