Supply Chain Secrets

From a 15% Trans-Pacific volume drop to an unclear U.S. tariff deadline, uncertainty dominates the trade landscape. In this week's episode of Supply Chain Secrets, Lars and Caroline unpack alarming CTS data, sharp spot rate shifts, and a dramatic Red Sea attack on a commercial vessel. Will July 9 spark a global trade war—or more mixed messaging? Tune in to understand how shifting demand, cont...

In this episode of Supply Chain Secrets , Caroline Weaver returns from Iceland to catch up with Lars Jensen on a whirlwind of global trade developments. They unpack the escalating U.S.-Canada dispute triggered by Canada’s Digital Services Tax, analyze softening Trans-Pacific rates despite high quotes, and spotlight a surprise spike in Atlantic westbound rates. Lars also breaks down the unusually t...

In this episode, guest host Don Davis joins Lars Jensen to unpack what he calls the most drastic market swing since the financial crisis . Spot quotes from Asia to the USWC surged—then plummeted in real-world execution, with a $1,500 per FFE drop in just one week.  Lars breaks down the data gap between quotes and actual bookings, and how mismatched timing between demand and capacity triggered a ra...

In this episode of Supply Chain Secrets , guest host Don Davis and Lars Jensen unpack the latest ripple effects across global shipping. From the unfolding Israel-Iran conflict and misinformation surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, to erratic Trans-Pacific freight rates and spot rate premiums from Northeast Asia, they break down what’s real, what’s noise, and what it means for shippers. Plus, they ex...

Spot rate indices are surging, but what are shippers actually paying?  In this episode, Lars Jensen joins from Sicily (yes, right next to an erupting volcano) to unpack why the NYFI freight index is diverging from traditional benchmarks like the SCFI. Caroline and Lars explore how quote-based indices can mislead, what’s really happening on the ground, and why South America’s demand boom is quietly...

In this week’s episode of the Supply Chain Secrets Podcast , Lars Jensen and Caroline Weaver unpack the sharp spike in spot rates out of China, dissect new capacity injections, and clarify the latest legal developments around U.S. tariffs.  From NYFI and SCFI comparisons to the ripple effects on global reliability and port congestion, this episode offers timely insight for shippers navigating a ma...

This week on Supply Chain Secrets , Lars and Caroline unpack the latest twists in global trade policy—from the EU tariff threats to the 90-day ceasefire’s ripple effects across U.S. ports. Lars explains why unpredictability—not the tariffs themselves—is the real disruptor, and how that plays out in vessel deployment, port congestion, and inland supply chains.  They also dive into NYFI data trends...

This week on Supply Chain Secrets, Caroline Weaver and Lars Jensen unpack the realities behind recent shifts in container pricing and trade policy. With U.S.–China tariffs in limbo, and equipment imbalances starting to ripple across the market, Lars estimates up to 500,000 TEU of cargo could be waiting in China—setting the stage for potential U.S. port congestion and a spot rate surge. Also on dec...

This week on Supply Chain Secrets, Lars Jensen and Caroline Weaver unpack the biggest trade development of the year: a surprise 90-day tariff pause between the U.S. and China. But don’t be fooled—this isn't a trade deal, it’s a ceasefire.  Lars breaks down the predictable—and chaotic—domino effects already unfolding: empty shelves, congested ports, volatile freight rates, and a scramble to mo...

Lars Jensen joins from the Dominican Republic to unpack the latest supply chain headlines—and debunk the noise. From Red Sea escalation and new trade war shocks to unraveling what “reliability” actually means in today’s shipping landscape, this episode dives deep. We discuss:  • Record-low bunker fuel prices and what that means for Q3  • Wildcard tariffs (yes, even on foreign movies)  • The truth...

The market is in flux—tariffs, blank sailings, air freight shifts, and rate volatility are reshaping global supply chains. In this episode, Caroline Weaver and Lars Jensen are joined by Rich Heath, VP of Freight Products & Services at NYSHEX, to break down the recent launch of the NYSHEX Freight Index.  Learn how this new tool provides real-time rate visibility, enables index-linked contracts,...

The drama continues in this week’s episode of Supply Chain Secrets ! Caroline Weaver and Lars Jensen break down the latest twists in the USTR saga, including what’s changed, who’s exempt, and why everyone—from carriers to shippers—is scrambling to recalculate. Lars unpacks the surprise USTR revisions, including: Who dodges the ship fees (for now) How the 4,000 TEU threshold is rewriting network st...

Will anyone make a move—or are we all just watching and waiting? In this episode of Supply Chain Secrets, Caroline Weaver and Lars Jensen welcome Don Davis, SVP Commercial at ZIM, for a frank discussion on how the new wave of tariffs is paralyzing the industry. In a combined 60 years our hosts have in the industry, they've never seen volatility like this. From 145% shocks out of China to stra...

This week on Supply Chain Secrets , Caroline Weaver and Lars Jensen break down the turbulent state of global trade. From weakening spot rates to dramatic drops in U.S. exports, Lars explains what’s behind the numbers—and what they mean for shippers. We dive into the ripple effects of escalating tariffs, the cautious (and at times chaotic) responses from governments and shippers alike, and why many...

Is peak season coming early—again? Global shipping expert Lars Jensen and Caroline Weaver unpack market weakness, carrier capacity decisions, and the ripple effects of upcoming tariffs. From reliability improvements to geopolitical curveballs, get ahead of what’s shaping Q2 and why an April surge may already be underway.  Want to be a part of the show? Register to attend a live episode at nyshex.c...

What’s Really Driving Rates? Global Market Signals, Front-Loading Trends & Red Sea Fallout. In this episode of Supply Chain Secrets , Caroline Weaver and Lars Jensen dive into what’s happening behind the headlines—from softening spot rates and post–Chinese New Year seasonality to the real impact of front-loading and the latest on Red Sea routing. Lars breaks down why demand data might be misle...

Port congestion—it’s a phrase thrown around in logistics, but what does it actually mean? In this episode of Supply Chain Secrets , hosts Caroline Weaver and Lars Jensen break down the layers of port congestion, from bottlenecks at the quay to inefficiencies in inland infrastructure. They discuss how factors like crane productivity, labor dynamics, chassis availability, and even customs staffing s...

In this hot-off-the-press episode of Supply Chain Secrets , Caroline Weaver and Lars Jensen break down the biggest takeaways from TPM 2025—including the USTR 301 proposal that could impose a $1M+ fee per vessel per US port call for Chinese-built ships, a move that could reshape shipping as we know it. This jam-packed episode also covers: *Recently announced carrier infrastructure investments *The...

Missed TPM25? Our latest Supply Chain Secrets episode was taped live on Day 1—straight from the crowd, no studio polish! Lars, Caroline, and Don Davis dive into 2025-26’s unpredictability and sharp fixes for shippers and NVOs. Loved the index-linked contract take? Join us April 30th at the NYSE for the NYSHEX Indices beta launch—details at nyshex.com/indexday

In this special episode of Supply Chain Secrets , Caroline Weaver and logistics legend Lars Jensen break down what to expect at TPM25, the premier conference for global container shipping. Whether you're attending in person or following from afar, this episode gives you an insider’s view of the key topics driving the industry this year. Lars shares insights on contract negotiations, market un...

In this second episode on the topic of how supply chain may be impacted by the change in US presidential administrations, Lars and Caroline tackle tariffs, headhaul and backhaul trade dynamics, and the latest news regarding the Ukraine and Red Sea crises.   Want to be a part of the live audience? Register to attend live at https://nyshex.com/podcast

In this episode of Supply Chain Secrets, hosts Caroline Weaver and Lars Jensen break down shifting tariff policies, hot topics such as Ships for America, and what it all means for global trade. With real-time updates and expert insights, they discuss how businesses can navigate uncertainty, potential market impacts, and the future of U.S. shipping policies. Tune in for a timely and insightful disc...

The shipping industry never slows down, and neither do the disruptions shaping global trade. In this episode, we welcome Lars Jensen as a permanent co-host and dive straight into the hottest topic in ocean shipping: the Red Sea crisis and its ripple effects on global freight markets. Lars and Caroline break down what a potential ceasefire means for vessel capacity, freight rates, and market stabil...

Bryan, Caroline and Don discuss the shipper strategies they're seeing going into the contracting season and the pros and cons.

It's a new year with a new guest on the Supply Chain Secrets Podcast! Well-known and respected in our industry, Betsy Ducat is certainly not new to honing world-class supply chains and deeply understanding the needs of the world's leading shippers.  While Donald Davis may have again picked up the baton to run the carrier race at ZIM Lines, the show goes on! He, Caroline Weaver , and Brya...