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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

In this episode, host Mike King and guests discuss the imminent threat of a major dockworker strike on the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts and its potential to disrupt more than half of the nation’s container shipping capacity. With the clock ticking on labour negotiations, businesses are facing the possibility of severe disruption to logistics, supply chains and pricing.
The conversation covers key issues, including how this strike could impact U.S. industries reliant on imported goods, the ripple effects on global trade, and what shippers can expect in terms of price hikes, surcharges, and operational delays. We also look at the political complexities of the situation, as the government balances union relations with the potential economic fallout of a prolonged shutdown.
From container lines shifting their strategies to shippers racing to move goods ahead of the strike, this episode dissects the likely short- and long-term impacts on U.S. supply chains and global trade flows.
With crucial holiday shipments on the line and industries ranging from retail to agriculture at risk, this episode, produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group, unpacks the broader impact of this potential strike on global trade and supply chain resilience.
Guests
Michael Angell, Senior Editor, Journal of Commerce
John McCown, Senior Fellow, Center for Maritime Strategy
Paul Page, Bureau Chief, The Wall Street Journal’s Logistics Report
 

This episode, produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group, focuses on what buyers need to know about the looming air cargo peak season as freight rates soar.
Host Mike King and guests examine the latest trade lane dynamics, with a particular focus on outbound rates from Asia to Europe and the U.S.
The discussion covers the unexpected demand surge this summer, security concerns affecting global supply chains, and the key drivers reshaping the market, including Suez Canal container shipping diversions and e-commerce growth.
Looking ahead to the air freight peak season, the conversation addresses capacity shortages, potential port strikes, and the impact on air freight rates. Broader issues such as U.S.-China tariffs, U.S. Presidential elections, long-term demand growth, and the increasing role of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) are also explored.
This episode provides essential analysis and expert perspectives on the challenges and changes facing the air cargo industry in 2025 and beyond, not least the potential capacity crunch.
Mike and his guests conclude by debating whether the current supply-demand balance reflects what we can expect in terms of capacity availability and pricing in 2025, or if the current market is a house of cards, vulnerable to geopolitical and policy changes that could lead to a rates collapse.
 
Guests
Glyn Hughes, Director General, TIACA
Kathy Liu, Vice President, Global Sales & Marketing, Dimerco Express Group
Peyton Burnett, MD, TAC Index
 
Episode in more detail:
Air cargo’s Indian summer (2.31)
Market drivers (3.40)
SE Asia wins (4.48)
Heightened security risk (6.02)
Suez diversions + e-tailers (10.14)
Capacity crunch and charters (13.46)
US dockworker strikes (15.32)
What price peak season rates (17.54)
U.S. tariff threat (22.20)
China+1 challenges and opportunities (30.53)
How to speed up air cargo (35.16)
Air freight’s wish list (41.47)
Supply, demand and rates in 2025 (43.07)
Solid foundations or house of cards? (47.42)
The state of SAF (54.24)

In this clip from EP 24 of the Freight Buyers’ Club, produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group, Torsten Hartmann, Senior Director Trade Management for the Transpacific at Hapag-Lloyd explains what US shippers can expect next year from the Gemini Cooperation.
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