Tariff Whiplash, Demand Surprises, and Crew Change Chaos
In this episode of Supply Chain Secrets, Caroline Weaver and Lars Jensen unpack the latest twists in global trade. They cover falling Asia–Europe spot rates, unexpected tariff exemptions affecting hundreds of commodities, and the stark divide between booming global container demand and declining U.S. volumes. Lars also sheds light on rumors around HMM’s ownership shift and the sudden tightening of U.S. visa rules for seafarers—changes that could complicate crew logistics for ocean carriers.
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18:47
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18:47
Post-Labor Day Market Update: Spot Rates, Red Sea Risks, and Shifting Trade Ties
On this week’s Supply Chain Secrets, Caroline and Lars dive into the latest on global shipping markets. From sliding Asia–Europe spot rates and a short-lived Pacific GRI, to an unexpected Atlantic downturn, Lars explains what the numbers actually mean for shippers. The discussion expands to Red Sea security risks, the balance between freedom of navigation and seafarer safety, and what a surprising China–India–Russia meeting signals about a rapidly multipolar world. Packed with insights right after Labor Day, this episode helps you separate seasonal noise from structural change.
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27:01
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27:01
Digital Detox on Kilimanjaro, Then Back to Shipping’s Reality
What’s harder than catching Lars Jensen on stable Wi-Fi? Predicting what’s next in global supply chains.Fresh off summiting Mount Kilimanjaro, Lars’ next stop was Comoros — and let’s just say the Wi-Fi didn’t make the climb. But a spotty signal can’t stop Supply Chain Secrets. This week’s update is packed with hard-hitting market realities for shippers, forwarders, and carriers alike:Trans-Pacific spot rates slipping into unsustainable territoryTariff risks that could shake demand just before the holidaysService cancellations tied to USTR fees and alliance shiftsAir freight providers pulling back on small parcels under new rulesA fiery disruption at Hamburg adding to Europe’s bottlenecksFrom mountain peace to market pressure, this episode captures the contrast between digital detox and supply chain chaos.
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15:34
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15:34
Tariffs, Rates, and Kilimanjaro
While Lars laces up his boots to climb Mount Kilimanjaro, he and Caroline dive into the latest global shipping news. They cover sliding Asia–Europe and Pacific spot rates, uncertainty around reciprocal and Section 232 tariffs, and the U.S. pushback on IMO’s decarbonization measures. They also analyze H1 financials from major carriers, with Hapag-Lloyd’s standout 12% volume growth raising big questions. Tune in for timely insights delivered from the slopes of Tanzania.
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22:15
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22:15
Contracts, Tariffs, and Turbulence: Why “Fixed” Ocean Rates Aren’t Fixed
In this episode, Caroline Weaver and Lars Jensen break down the latest shifts in ocean freight rates, revealing why long-term contracts offer far less insulation from spot market volatility than many shippers think. They compare NYFI and CTS data to show the hidden correlation between contract and spot pricing, then dive into a volatile week in trade policy—from unpredictable “reciprocal” tariffs to a surprise penalty on Indian imports that could hit cargo loaded before the rules even existed.
The Supply Chain Secrets Podcast cuts through the noise to bring you real, unfiltered insights from the front lines of global logistics. Whether you’re a shipper, NVO, carrier, or just someone who needs to stay ahead of market shifts, we deliver analysis and hard-hitting conversations that actually matter. Visit nyshex.com/podcast to register to attend live!
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