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

In this sponsored 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 https://www.raft.ai/

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

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