The Loadstar

Coming up in this episode: container volumes are rising but prices are still falling, so what’s really driving the disconnect between demand and rates? We look at fresh CTS data, the role of China in reshaping freight buying behaviour, and why overcapacity isn’t showing up where you might expect. We’ll also unpack new ecommerce handling fees being introduced in parts of Europe and why the air carg...

After weeks of disruption, Southeast Asia’s ports are slowly reopening following historic floods - but delays and backlogs still plague regional supply chains. In more positive news, seafarers from the MV Eternity C have finally been released, and carriers are starting to eye a return to the Suez Canal, with the Ocean Alliance restarting transits and CMA CGM signalling confidence with naval escort...

This week’s episode dives into the growing contrasts across global freight. In ocean shipping, Maersk has pushed back against claims of an imminent Suez Canal return — despite pressure from the Suez Canal Authority — leaving carriers and insurers guessing when routes might reopen.   Meanwhile, strikes in Belgium, ship fires in US ports, and record-low scrapping levels add to Europe’s congestion wo...

In this episode of The Loadstar Podcast  we take you inside one of the most dynamic and rapidly evolving regions in global trade: Africa. Host and news reporter Charlotte Goldstone is joined by Mohammed Akoojee CEO & MD of DP World Sub-Saharan Africa. Together, they unpack why Africa is emerging as one of the most important players in global logistics and what still needs to happen to unlock i...

In this episode of News in Brief , The Loadstar  team delves into the latest developments in the world of tariffs and refund issues, rail mergers, ecommerce and ocean rate dynamics.  In under 20 minutes, our award-winning journalists provide insights into how these topics - and many more -  could affect supply chains and consumer prices.  So, tune in now for a comprehensive overview of the week's...

New CTS data shows just how deeply tariffs have hit US trade and Indian airfreight volumes, as Southeast Asia surges ahead under the China + 1 strategy. The Loadstar team unpacks the numbers — and what they mean for rates, resilience, and rerouted cargo. As the US Supreme Court takes on Trump’s reciprocal tariff policy, tension builds over whether refunds will ever materialize. Meanwhile, signs of...

This week, the shipping industry hits new highs and new headaches.   MSC’s record 7m teu fleet cements its dominance, while Maersk eyes fresh megaship orders amid warnings of a looming capacity glut that could stretch to 2030. Gavin van Marle breaks down the latest rate moves, the growing talk of rate wars, and what Q3 results reveal about carriers’ financial standing   While in air cargo, Alex Le...

It’s been a week of turmoil — and tentative relief — across global trade. Hurricane Melissa brought chaos to the Caribbean but spared Jamaica’s vital Kingston terminal, while in Asia, the fallout from Dhaka’s cargo village fire continues to snarl Bangladesh’s garment exports. Meanwhile, hopes for Red Sea stability were dashed as Israel resumed airstrikes in Gaza.   Host and news reporter Charlotte...

In this epsiode of news in brief, hear how the one-year delay to the IMOs net-zero measures has set the stage for conflicting national rules, and how hopes of a return to Suez Canal transits threaten to swamp Europe’s ports with redirected cargo.   Gavin van Marle breaks down whether recent GRIs are holding and what the first Q3 earnings reports from forwarding giants reveal about a volatile year....

The dust is only just beginning to settle in Europe’s ports after last week’s strikes — but the disruption is far from over. Host Charlotte Goldstone updates you on the ripple effects in Antwerp, Bruges and Rotterdam, before turning to the week’s biggest story: a tense MEPC84 meeting where the IMO’s net-zero framework faced an unexpected twist of US threats of sanctions agaisnt countries voting “y...

Recent supply chain news has been all about disruption and adaptation. Europe’s biggest ports are hit by strikes, causing chaos in Rotterdam, Antwerp and Zeebrugge, while carriers raise charges at Chittagong and brace for new US port fees under the escalating trade war. Gavin van Marle breaks down how container volumes held up in August despite the tariff turmoil, and why some trade lanes are boom...

From tariffs to lawsuits, this week’s episode is packed with supply chain drama.   Host Charlotte Goldstone kicks off the episode with an update on another wave of US tariffs — a move that could drag transpacific rates even lower.   Gavin van Marle breaks down the latest freight rate moves, and why China’s Arctic shortcut isn’t tempting the likes of MSC.   Then, Alex Lennane joins to unpack the ai...

  Are you looking for a quick round up of all that went down last week in logistics?   Typhoon Ragasa slams southern China, halting factory output just days before Golden Week. In Europe, Poland’s border closure with Belarus sparks airfreight rate hikes and rail disruptions, while Italian dock strikes target military shipments.   Host Charlotte Goldstone also unpacks how tariffs continue to reshap...

In this episode of The Loadstar Podcast, host Charlotte Goldstone dives into the world of artificial intelligence in logistics and customs with two industry insiders: James Coombes, co-founder and CEO of  Raft. AI , and Michael Douglas, customs technology consultant at  ALS Customs Services . Together, they unpack the reality behind the AI buzz – what’s hype, what’s real, and what’s already transf...

Following London International Shipping week, host Charlotte Goldstone shares her highlights of the events and useful takeaways and is joined by Alex Lennane and Gavin van Marle from The Loadstar team, who recap the week’s main supply chain headlines.   In both air and ocean, freight rates have plummeted. The ocean freight market is dealing with the looming threat of USTR port call fees next month...

  Had a busy week? Join The Loadstar Team as they catch you up on the most recent supply chain news!   This 20-minute episode briefly recaps the hot-topics in logistics right now, including tariffs, the status of demand across major trade lanes, the looming USTR port call fees, and why DSV have announced major job cuts.   Both airfreight and ocean freight news items are covered in this episode - i...

This episode of The Loadstar Podcast explores the current dynamics in the ocean freight market, with a deep dive into major trade lanes and the contextual factors impacting supply, demand, and rates.   Special guest, Container Trade Statistics’ CEO Nigel Pusey, offers the very latest data for teu volumes and pricing, while he and The Loadstar’s Charlotte Goldstone and Gavin van Marle discuss what...

In this week’s episode of  The Loadstar’s News in Brief Podcast, host and news reporter Charlotte Goldstone recaps the week’s supply chain news and gives you a heads-up on what to look out for next week.        Ms Goldstone lists some government policies that are having an impact on supply chains, including ICS2 and a ban for Israeli vessels in Turkey.   She is joined by Alex Lennane who details t...

In this week’s episode of  The Loadstar’s News in Brief Podcast, sponsored by Etihad Cargo, host and news reporter Charlotte Goldstone recaps the week’s supply chain news and gives you a heads-up on what to look out for next week.       The episode begins with a recap of the recent flight attendant strike at Air Canada and the current status of relations between the airline and its employees.   Th...

In this week’s episode of  The Loadstar’s News in Brief Podcast, host and news reporter Charlotte Goldstone recaps the week’s supply chain news and gives you a heads-up on what to look out for next week.       The episode begins with a look at the recent blaze abord Marie Maersk and an update to the June ship-fire on the  Wan Hai 503 .   Ms Goldstone is then joined by Macro Bloemen, Managing direc...

In this week’s episode of  The Loadstar’s News in Brief Podcast, host and news reporter Charlotte Goldstone recaps the week’s supply chain news and give you a heads-up on what to look out for next week.     The episode begins with a tariff rate update, and an explanation from Ms Goldstone about how the uncertainty has impacted the European and US road freight markets. Ms Goldstone is then joined b...

In this week’s episode of  The Loadstar’s  News in Brief Podcast, the team recaps this week’s supply chain moves and give you a heads-up on what to look out for next week.     Host and news reporter Charlotte Goldstone kicks off the episode with a summary of where tariff negotiations sit, then is joined by publisher Alex Lennane to discuss the air cargo impacts.    Ms Lennane then summarises the l...

In this week’s episode of  The Loadstar’s News in Brief Podcast, The Loadstar team recap this week’s supply chain news and give you a heads up on what to look out for next week.   Host and news reporter Charlotte Goldstone kicks off the episode with a summary of where tariff negotiations sit and is joined by publisher Alex Lennane to discuss the air cargo impacts.   Ms Lennane then explains the co...

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 lets you know what to look out for this week.   She is joined first by The Loadstar ’s publisher Alex Lennane to discuss a few impacts of continued tariff chaos on the supply chain last week, including a demand surge from India and a trade shift for Brazil.  ...

In this week’s episode of  The Loadstar’s News in Brief Podcast, host and news reporter Charlotte Goldstone recaps this week’s supply chain news, including warnings to US truck drivers   She is joined by The Loadstar’s managing editor Gavin van Marle to chat about what impact European port congestion had on the carrier’s June schedule reliability scores.   Mr van Marle also gives listeners an upda...