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In this episode of The Freight Buyers’ Club Insight series (https://www.thefreightbuyersclub.com), host Mike King sits down with Neel Jones Shah—former senior executive at Flexport, Delta, and United—to dissect the biggest forces shaping air cargo in 2025. From Trump’s latest tariffs and their impact on e-commerce exports to the slow pace of air freight digitalization, Neel shares candid insights on where the industry is headed. He also reflects on Flexport’s bold ambitions, why combination airlines may have the upper hand in a downturn, and how geopolitical risks—from the Suez Canal to de minimis rules—will shake up supply chains. Could air cargo be facing a major slump?
Brought to you by Ontegos Cloud (https://www.ontegos.cloud).
Guest
Neel Jones Shah, former senior executive at Flexport, Delta Airlines and United Cargo. 
Episode in more detail:
Highlights from a fascinating career (1.26)
The evolution of freight buyers (3.49)
Flexport: achievements and mishaps (5.34)
Why is the air forwarding supply chain digital-resistant? (9.13)
Trump’s tariffs will hit e-commerce hard—here’s how (15.00)
Air freight supply vs demand (21.28)
Does tariff uncertainty discourage diversification? (23.00)
Geopolitical risks in 2025 (25.00)
Is a bearish storm looming for air cargo? (28.15)
Winners and losers (31.16)
Why is air cargo so slow? (33.51)
How to make supply chains better for BCOs (36.17)

Philip Damas, Managing Director at Drewry Shipping Consultants and head of Drewry Supply Chain Advisors, delivers an in-depth analysis of container shipping markets, current market trends, the supply-demand balance and what the possible reopening of the Suez Canal means for freight rates.
He also shares actionable advice for shippers: from negotiating freight contracts amid market volatility, to preparing for potential impacts of new tariffs and alliance realignments. This is part 2 from episode 31 of The Freight Buyers’ Club (https://www.thefreightbuyersclub.com/), produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group (https://dimerco.com/).
Full EP links are here: Website: https://www.thefreightbuyersclub.com/podcast/what-shippers-want-and-how-they-get-it/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4ndF5J1fuLrIG8EhXowW1P?si=98fce131dea3461d Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/what-shippers-want-and-how-they-get-it-with-ttis/id1668766055?i=1000685061106
YouTube: https://youtu.be/T7sxLMcEWF8?si=dee9jCAr9G8zByq9

In episode 31 of The Freight Buyers’ Club, produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group, we explore the strategies and insights shippers need to navigate the ever-changing world of freight procurement and supply chain management.
First, Alan Mctaggart, VP of Global Logistics at Techtronic Industries (TTI), shares invaluable lessons from his 35-year career, including his role in scaling TTI’s supply chains as the company grew from $2 billion to over $13 billion in revenue.
Alan provides a behind-the-scenes look at managing complex global supply chains for major brands like Milwaukee, RYOBI, and Hoover, and reveals how TTI tackled freight challenges during disruptions like the pandemic and trade wars. He explains how he balances freight tenders between forwarders and carriers, and how TTI uses long-term and short-term freight contracts.
He also gives freight buyers critical advice about the importance of personal relationships with vendors at all levels, how to benchmark practices against industry competitors to stay ahead, and how to ensure contracts are watertight, including critical success factors like fixed pricing, space allocation, and compensation clauses.
Later, Philip Damas, Managing Director at Drewry Shipping Consultants and head of Drewry Supply Chain Advisors, delivers an in-depth analysis of container shipping markets, current market trends, the supply-demand balance and what the possible reopening of the Suez Canal means for freight rates.
He also shares actionable advice for shippers: from negotiating freight contracts amid market volatility, to preparing for potential impacts of new tariffs and alliance realignments.
 
Guests
Alan Mctaggart, VP, global logistics, Techtronic Industries
Philip Damas, Drewry managing director and head of Drewry Supply Chain Advisors

In this Insight episode of The Freight Buyers’ Club, host Mike King is joined by Robbert van Trooijen, founder of Inception Partners and former Regional President for Maersk, to provide forwarders and shippers with expert insights into the pressing challenges shaping supply chains in early 2025.
With U.S. East and Gulf Coast port strikes potentially disrupting global trade from January 15, President Trump’s upcoming inauguration on January 20 driving regulatory uncertainty, and container shipping alliances set to realign in February, this timely discussion helps listeners prepare for the year ahead.
Robbert draws on decades of leadership experience to explore how carriers and logistics companies are approaching capacity disruptions, geopolitical risks, and shifting U.S. trade policies. He also delves into contracting strategies, M&A trends, and the role of technology in cost reduction and operational efficiency.
Sponsored by Ontegos Cloud, this episode delivers actionable strategies to help you navigate 2025’s early disruptions.
Guest
Robbert van Trooijen, Maersk veteran and founder of Inception Partners LLC

Is a US port strike in January good for container lines? This is an extended clip from EP 29 of The Freight Buyers’ Club featuring host Mike King, Lars Jensen, CEO, Vespucci Maritime and Peter Tirschwell, VP, S&P Global.
Big thanks to Dimerco Express Group (https://dimerco.com/) for supporting independent journalism.
The full episode is available on all podcast platforms, YouTube and at https://www.thefreightbuyersclub.com/.

In this episode of The Freight Buyers’ Club, host Mike King is joined by Lars Jensen, CEO of Vespucci Maritime, and Peter Tirschwell, Journal of Commerce veteran and VP at S&P Global, to explore the latest challenges and opportunities facing global trade and shipping. From the implications of Donald Trump’s return to the White House and potential new tariffs on China, to the looming threat of US port shutdowns, our expert guests provide unparalleled insights.
We also discuss the reconfiguration of liner alliances, the Red Sea crisis, and the evolving strategies of major carriers. Whether you’re managing supply chain complexities or analysing global trade trends, this episode, produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group, offers valuable perspectives and expert analysis.
Key Points Covered:

The geopolitical and economic impacts of Trump’s presidency starting in 2025.
Analysis of US-China trade relations and the potential consequences of new tariffs.
The Red Sea crisis and its implications for shipping routes and Suez Canal traffic.
Looming US port strikes in January and their potential disruption to trade.
Reconfiguration of global liner alliances and their effect on shippers.
Strategies for freight buyers amid uncertainty in tariffs, alliances, and labour disputes.
Investments by major carriers in logistics, airlines, and infrastructure.

Guests
Lars Jensen, CEO, Vespucci Maritime
Peter Tirschwell, VP, S&P Global

In this episode of The Freight Buyers’ Club, we tackle a turbulent few weeks for global logistics. With parcels network security being tightened following the DHL plane crash in Vilnius, we explore the implications for freight safety and geopolitical tensions.
Guests dissect how a new wave of tariffs under Trump 2.0 could impact global trade, US importers and exporters, and shippers pivoting supply chains to Southeast Asia and Latin America. And we hear how new tariffs threats are being received – and acted upon – in Asia.
This episode, produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group, also examines air and ocean freight markets heading into 2025, including the pressures of Chinese New Year, a possible US East Coast port shutdown, and potential reforms to the de minimis rules. 
Guests
Paul Bingham, Director, Transportation Consulting, S&P Global Market Intelligence
Cathy Roberson, Founder, Logistics, Trends & Insights
Kathy Liu, VP, Global Sales and Marketing, Dimerco Express Group
 
Note:
As cited in the podcast: The Political Economy of Tariff Exemption Grants – https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3963039

In this clip from EP 27 of the Freight Buyers’ Club podcast, Stephen Olson, Visiting Fellow, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, compares and contrasts the approach to tariffs of the two U.S. presidential contenders. Big thanks to Dimerco Express for supporting this channel.

Welcome to The Freight Buyers Club, the essential podcast for global trade professionals and supply chain leaders. Hosted by Mike King and produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group, each episode unpacks critical issues in international trade, geopolitics, and the logistics industry.
As the upcoming U.S. presidential election draws near, we explore what each candidate’s trade policy could mean for global commerce and the technology sector. In this episode, we’re joined by Stephen Olson, a Visiting Fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies and a member of the World Economic Forum’s Global Futures Council on Trade. With insights from his extensive career as a U.S. trade negotiator and international trade expert, Stephen examines how a Trump or Harris administration might shape tariffs, protectionism, and trade relations with key players like China and Mexico.
Later, Ed Brzytwa, VP of International Trade at the Consumer Technology Association, weighs in on how potential shifts in U.S. policy could impact the tech industry.
Follow, like, and subscribe to The Freight Buyers Club on your preferred platform, and get more insights and updates at www.thefreightbuyersclub.com.
 
Guests
Ed Brzytwa, VP of International Trade, Consumer Technology Association 
Stephen Olson, Visiting Fellow, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Yusof Ishak Institute

In this entended clip from EP25 we are discussing why air cargo is frequently so slow. And what can be done to speed it up.
Host Mike King is talking to (in order of appearance):
Glyn Hughes, Director General, TIACA
Kathy Liu, Vice President, Global Sales & Marketing, Dimerco Express Group
Peyton Burnett, MD, TAC Index