The Loadstar

This week on the  News in Brief  podcast, we unpack one of the biggest changes to air freight liability in decades as new IATA direct air waybill rules shift greater responsibility onto freight forwarders - sparking a fierce dispute with FIATA and raising major concerns across the industry.  We also examine Maersk's dramatic upgrade to its earnings forecast and what it reveals about today's contai...

This week on  News in Brief , host Charlotte Goldstone is joined by The Loadstar's managing editor Gavin van Marle and publisher Alex Lennane for a wide-ranging look at the stories that shaped global freight markets over the last seven days.  From the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and yet another round of ocean carrier surcharges to allegations of a container manufacturing cartel and fresh tak...

In this episode, host Charlotte Goldstone is joined by two leading industry voices to unpack the biggest stories shaping global supply chains.  First, Charlotte speaks with James Hookham, director of the Global Shippers’ Forum, about growing shipper frustration over ocean freight pricing, opaque carrier surcharges and the shifting balance of power between carriers and cargo owners. They discuss in...

In this episode of The Loadstar Podcast News in Brief, we bring you the latest developments shaping global supply chains, from rising tensions in the Middle East to renewed controversy over ocean freight pricing and the key takeaways from TIACA's Executive Summit. First, Loadstar Managing Editor Gavin van Marle joins us for an update on the container shipping market that examines growing criticism...

This week on The Loadstar Podcast, Charlotte Goldstone is joined by Noatum Logistics’ Stephanie Loomis to unpack the shifting dynamics in ocean freight, from the disappearance of traditional peak season patterns to evolving carrier behaviour amid persistent overcapacity. T hey also discuss how tariff-driven supply chain adaptations are reshaping global trade routes — and which changes may be here...

In this episode of The Loadstar Podcast , Charlotte Goldstone is joined by Container Trade Statistics (CTS) CEO Nigel Pusey and Loadstar Managing Editor Gavin van Marle to unpack one of the most turbulent starts to a year the container shipping industry has ever seen. From the fallout of the US Supreme Court ruling against Trump’s IEEPA tariffs to the escalating Middle East conflict and closure of...

This week on  News in Brief , Charlotte Goldstone and her guests break down the latest developments shaping the freight and logistics market. First, Xeneta senior market analyst Destine Ozuygur joins the podcast to unpack the ongoing Middle East conflict and what the latest developments around the Strait of Hormuz could mean for global supply chains. The discussion explores growing speculation aro...

This week’s  News in Brief  dives back into the ongoing disruption in the Middle East, as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed and oil prices continue to ripple through global supply chains. But while uncertainty persists, there are signs of shifting strategy  with CMA CGM doubling down on Red Sea transits, raising the question of whether other carriers will follow and what that could m...

This week’s  News in Brief  returns to the ongoing uncertainty in the Middle East, as a ceasefire extension fails to reopen the Strait of Hormuz - leaving carriers scrambling for alternatives.  Gavin van Marle breaks down the latest developments, from vessel incidents and rerouted services to softening spot rates into the Gulf and the growing role of land-side solutions.   We also look at early Q1...

In a world where global trade is still growing but disruption is constant, traditional supply chain models are starting to show their limits. Built for scale and efficiency, “one-size-fits-all” logistics no longer reflects the very different risks faced by industries today. In this episode, DP World COO Beat Simon explains why supply chains need to be designed around specific sectors - and what it...

This week’s News in Brief  takes stock of a fragile pause in Middle East tensions, as the US-Iran ceasefire enters its second week. But while the Strait of Hormuz remains open, uncertainty still hangs over global supply chains - and the impact on both ocean and air freight is far from resolved. Charlotte Goldstone is joined by Drewry’s director of supply chain advisory Chantal McRoberts to break d...

After a two-week break, News in Brief returns with a major geopolitical development at the top of the agenda: a fragile two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran, reopening the Strait of Hormuz - at least for now. But with fresh attacks still reported and negotiations only just beginning, uncertainty remains high across global supply chains. Gavin van Marle breaks down what this means for ocean s...

This week, we unpack the latest developments in the Middle East and what a continued disruption means for global supply chains.  Host Charlotte Goldstone is joined by Freightos’ head of research, Judah Levine, for a data-driven look at how ongoing conflict, airspace closures, and shipping reroutes are reshaping both air and ocean freight markets. With Gulf carriers under pressure, we explore the e...

Escalating tensions in the Middle East are once again creating uncertainty for global supply chains. In this episode, host Charlotte Goldstone is joined by Marco Forgione, director general of the UK’s Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade, to discuss the latest developments in the conflict and what they could mean for global trade flows, oil prices and supply chain resilience. Th...

Global supply chains are once again navigating turbulent waters. In this episode, we break down the immediate logistics fallout from the escalating conflict in the Middle East – from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and vessels turning back mid-voyage, to collapsing air cargo capacity as Gulf airspace shuts down. What could this mean for freight rates, fuel markets, and global capacity? Charlot...

Last week’s news of the US Supreme Court ruling striking down Trump’s IEEPA tariffs has sent shockwaves through global supply chains but now comes the hard part: getting your money back. In this episode, we unpack the fallout of the tariff revocation. With potentially $100bn–$300bn in duties up for refund, the process is already shaping up to be complex, litigation-heavy and politically fraught. W...

The Loadstar team unpacks a busy week in supply chain and logistics, in less than 20 minutes! This episode, Alex Lennane discusses her exclusive on DSV’s reported switch away from CargoWise that sparked industry-wide debate last week. She and Charlotte Goldstone raise fresh questions about TMS loyalty and divulge the hot topics at Manifest. Is this the beginning of a systems shake-up across forwar...

Global container shipping had a rollercoaster year in 2025, and the numbers tell a fascinating story. In this episode of The Loadstar Podcast , host Charlotte Goldstone is joined by CEO of Container Trades Satistics (CTS) Nigel Pusey and The Loadstar ’s managing editor Gavin van Marle to break down the biggest shifts in volumes, pricing and trade lanes over the past year. From surging intra-Asia a...

Earnings season is in full swing, and the numbers are telling a story. This week on  News in Brief ,  The Loadstar  team break down Maersk’s Q4 and DSV’s Schenker-fuelled growth, plus the job cuts across both companies.  Alex Lennane also details a tech comment in DSV’s earnings call that’s quietly rattled the freight forwarding world.  The episode also tracks falling ocean rates, firmer air freig...

Global trade runs on one essential ingredient: access to capital. Yet for millions of businesses, particularly SMEs in emerging markets, trade finance remains complex and out of reach. In this episode of the Loadstar Podcast, host Charlotte Goldstone is joined by Sinan Ozcan, senior executive officer and board director at DP World Trade Finance, to unpack how trade finance really works, and why it...

This week’s News in Brief tracks a fragile balance across global shipping. Fresh investment into CMA CGM’s terminal portfolio highlights carriers’ long-term bets, just as renewed Houthi threats underline how uncertain a return to the Suez Canal remains and why Cape of Good Hope routings are still propping up today’s capacity balance. Weather disruption across Europe and the US adds another layer o...

In this week’s episode, The Loadstar team explores mounting pressure across shipping, logistics tech and inland transport.   As talk of a return to the Suez Canal continues to swing back and forth, carriers, ports and insurers are all weighing up the risks and potential fallout once mass transits resume. Gavin van Marle unpacks what a Suez comeback could mean for North European and Mediterranean p...

This week on the Loadstar News in Brief, Charlotte Goldstone is joined by Alex Lennane and Gavin van Marle to break down a packed week in global supply chain news. From cooling container spot rates and firmer air cargo pricing to the latest twists in the US tariff saga, we examine what’s really driving the market right now. The team also discusses growing signals of a return to the Suez Canal, air...

2026 gets off to a chilly start for global supply chains. Europe’s major ports are hit by snow and ice, disrupting terminal operations and road and rail links. Meanwhile, carriers are pressing ahead with fresh terminal investments, and Cosco is quietly expanding its hinterland ambitions. Gavin van Marle breaks down what’s happening on the ocean side as carriers front-load capacity ahead of Chinese...

Join  The Loadstar  team as they round up the hot topics of 2025 and look forward to what might be coming up in 2026.   They detail what one word and song they would use to summarise this year’s antics, plus their winners and losers of all that has transpired in the last 12 months.   This podcast recaps forwarding woes and wins, carrier ambitions, ship fires, AI, ecommerce, trade shifts and much m...