In this episode of Kev Talks: Real World Global Logistics, hosts Kevin Parkerson and Kevin Higgins sit down with Stuart Sandlin, President of Hapag-Lloyd North America, to explore the innovative Gemini Cooperation with Maersk. Stuart explains how this partnership—while keeping both carriers independent competitors—aims to raise the standard for reliability in ocean shipping. He breaks down the hub-and-spoke model, network planning, and operational alignment that allow both companies to move more cargo efficiently while maintaining Hapag-Lloyd’s customer-first identity through cross-functional “customer clusters.”

The conversation highlights why reliability, transparency, and operational tracking—not just capacity—are the true differentiators in today’s market. Stuart shares how customers have embraced the model, often paying a premium for predictable service, and why Gemini could mark the start of a new era in carrier cooperation. He also offers candid leadership insights on building strong networks, asking the right questions, and developing true leaders, closing with his passion for coaching teams and challenging the industry to aim higher.

In this episode of Kev Talks: Real World Global Logistics, hosts Kevin Parkerson and Kevin Higgins sit down with Stuart Sandlin, President of Hapag-Lloyd North America and member of the company’s Global Executive Committee. With more than two decades of leadership across sales, operations, and executive management, Stuart offers a candid look at the realities and future of global container shipping.

He shares his unexpected journey into logistics—from 3PL operations to the executive suite—and how mentors, adaptability, and a people-first mindset shaped his career. Stuart reflects on the industry’s close-knit global community and how uncertainty has become the defining theme of today’s supply chains, reshaping customer expectations and decision-making.

The conversation explores the shift from transactional procurement to long-term partnerships built on true value creation and cost removal across the supply chain. Stuart explains how classifying customers as price seekers, value seekers, or quality seekers helps Hapag-Lloyd nurture sustainable relationships, while also highlighting how AI and predictive analytics are already transforming response times, container flows, and decision-making.

Looking ahead to 2030, Stuart discusses diverging carrier strategies, the renewed importance of relationships, and one of the industry’s biggest strategic moves: the new Gemini cooperation between Hapag-Lloyd and Maersk—a development set to shape terminal integration, technology, and global networks for years to come.

Packed with personal reflections and forward-looking insights, this episode offers a rare insider’s perspective on moving beyond transactions toward a future defined by collaboration, innovation, and resilience.

https://www.hapag-lloyd.com/en/home.html

Check out music by the V-Roys

Join us as we sit down with Amanda Coates, VP of Cargo Development at the Port of New Orleans, for an inside look at maritime logistics, career growth, and the future of global trade through Louisiana. Amanda shares her unexpected 22-year journey from vessel documentation at MSC to leading cargo development, offering candid insights on leadership, networking, and navigating a people-driven, global industry.

The conversation dives into the Port of New Orleans’ unique strengths, including its 70/30 export-import split, unmatched multimodal connectivity, and ambitious Louisiana International Terminal (LIT) expansion—a “legacy project” that will boost capacity, create generational jobs, and transform regional trade. Amanda highlights underused port capacity, VIP service for shippers, and partnerships with state and local agencies to attract distribution centers and support manufacturers, making New Orleans a strategic gateway for growing businesses.

Closing on a personal note, Amanda shares her career mantra, “Find a way or make one,” and encourages listeners to embrace challenges, follow their passion, and grow their network. She also extends an invitation to experience New Orleans firsthand—gumbo, char-grilled oysters, and all—while discovering how ports like New Orleans can open doors to new opportunities for shippers of all sizes.

https://portnola.com/

https://harryflong.com/#resources

https://consumerimpactsummit.com/

Kev Talks: Real World Global Logistics – Northwest Arkansas Series

In this episode, co-hosts Kevin Parkerson and Kevin Higgins sit down with Denise Thomas, President and CEO of the World Trade Center Arkansas, to discuss how she’s helping small and minority-owned businesses compete in the global marketplace.

Denise shares her journey from banking and finance to leading WTCA, her passion for connecting Arkansas companies to international opportunities, and why she believes global trade isn’t just for Fortune 500s. From simplifying export processes to championing diversity in trade, she offers practical insights on navigating tariffs, building partnerships, and embracing technology.

Whether you’re a small business owner, a supply chain professional, or a student exploring global commerce, this conversation is a roadmap to thinking bigger, breaking barriers, and making global connections.

Listen now to learn how WTCA is opening doors and creating opportunities for businesses across Arkansas and beyond.

In this episode of Kev Talks: Real World Global Logistics, Kevin Parkerson and Kevin Higgins speak with Chris Chase, Assistant Director of Marketing at the Port of Los Angeles, about the operational, economic, and geopolitical forces shaping the busiest port in North America.

Chris breaks down the realities behind recent cargo surges, tariff uncertainty, and schedule disruptions. He explains how the Port of LA handles 15,000+ TEU ships on tight turnarounds and why schedule reliability—and the reminder that ports aren’t warehouses—remains critical. From tariff stacking to front-loading strategies, the conversation dives into how shippers are adjusting to cost pressure and shifting global sourcing patterns.

Looking ahead, Chris outlines potential volume slowdowns in late 2024 and the importance of supporting the workforce during slower cycles. He urges shippers and service providers to use data, monitor vessel schedules, and visit ports in person to build relationships with those keeping freight moving.

The episode also touches on cruise growth, declining auto imports, and LA’s multi-billion-dollar investments in rail, terminal efficiency, and electrification. Chris shares a pragmatic yet optimistic view of the U.S. port system, calling this period a “hiccup, not a collapse” as demand remains strong and infrastructure modernization moves forward.

And for those planning a visit? Chris offers a few favorite San Pedro lunch spots—plus a tip to take a boat tour during TPM to truly understand how the port works.

Whether you're a BCO, freight forwarder, or supply chain strategist, this episode offers practical insights and straight talk from inside one of the most vital links in global trade.

In this episode, Kevin Parkerson & Kevin Higgins sit down with Mike Graen, a seasoned retail and supply chain professional whose 40-year career includes leadership roles at Procter & Gamble, Walmart, and the RFID Lab at Auburn University. From category management to emerging tech, Mike shares a refreshingly honest perspective on what works, and what doesn’t, when it comes to driving real results in retail and logistics.

Mike reflects on his early days at P&G working with Walmart, helping pioneer the category captain model that shaped modern retail collaboration. He explains how true category management meant aligning manufacturers and retailers around shared goals: getting the right products, in the right place, at the right time. That foundation of trust and joint problem-solving is something he believes the industry needs to return to.

The conversation shifts to technology, particularly RFID. Mike gives a candid account of why RFID initially failed in the early 2000s, wrong use cases, high costs, and low value at the store level, and how it’s now making a measurable impact thanks to better economics and a focus on solving specific problems like inaccurate on-shelf availability. He notes that retailers like Walmart and Macy’s are seeing dramatic improvements in inventory accuracy and customer experience.

Throughout the episode, Mike emphasizes the importance of staying curious, asking better questions, and grounding innovation in real-world business needs, not hype. Whether you’re a logistics professional, a retail operator, or a tech provider, this conversation offers sharp insights on what it takes to drive lasting value in complex supply chains.

In this episode of Kev Talks: Real World Global Logistics, hosts Kevin Parkerson and Kevin Higgins sit down with Ken Uriu, SVP of Business Development for the Pacific Region at IMC Logistics, to unpack the real-world friction points shaping export logistics, port operations, and drayage strategy in 2025.

With a career spanning NYK Line, the Port of Long Beach, and now IMC, Ken offers a rare 360-degree view of the global supply chain—from rural Idaho accounts to macro-level policy decisions.

🔍 Key Topics:

• Export Friction, Explained:
  Why U.S. exporters struggle with equipment shortages, early return date (ERD) shifts, and a lack of contingency planning.
• Street Turns – Theory vs. Reality:
  The promise of container reuse sounds simple—but terminal tech, chassis fragmentation, and monetized platforms make it maddeningly complex.
• Chassis Control = Service Control:
  Ken outlines the case for private chassis use, especially for specialized moves (like reefers), and calls for less ocean carrier interference.
• Rates vs. Reality:
  The team discusses how outdated pricing structures are crushing drayage providers operating under today’s regulatory and cost pressures.
• Port Politics & Public Engagement:
  Ports are public agencies. Ken explains why logistics professionals need to build relationships with port authorities—before the next disruption hits.
• Tech Isn’t a Silver Bullet:
  Point solutions and walled-off platforms won’t solve systemic issues. Ken calls for collaboration and interoperability, not just more apps.

🧠 Leadership Insights:

• “No job is too small” – why young professionals should get their hands dirty and take regional roles, even in unlikely places.
• “You either win or learn” – the mindset shift required to thrive in an unpredictable industry.

🚛 Competitive Edge:

Ken also shares how IMC Logistics uses its import scale and private chassis control to deliver agile, scalable export solutions, especially in challenged inland markets like California’s Central Valley.

🔥 Final Takeaway:

Export logistics success hinges on flexibility, relationships, and local knowledge. Whether it's a misaligned terminal appointment or a stalled chassis swap, the details matter—and fixing them is what separates vendors from true partners.

🎧 Listen to Episode 40 of Kev Talks: Real World Global Logistics—available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, and wherever you get your logistics fix.

In this episode of Kev Talks: Real World Global Logistics, Kevin Parkerson and Kevin Higgins sit down with Barbara Melvin, President and CEO of South Carolina Ports and the first woman to lead a top 10 operating U.S. container port. From harbor deepening to chassis pools, inland rail to cultural change, Barbara offers a powerful, practical look at what it really takes to run a modern, customer-focused port.

 Big Ships, Big Vision

Barbara explains how Charleston became home to the deepest harbor on the East Coast, capable of handling today’s ultra-large container vessels. But it’s not just about water depth, it’s about having the right people, the right infrastructure, and a mindset that balances operational performance with long-term sustainability.

 Expanding Inland, Extending Impact

The episode dives into the success of inland ports in Greer and Dillon, which have redefined how the port connects with customers 200+ miles away. Greer now handles more than 200,000 annual rail lifts, 4x the industry standard of success, while Dillon services key export markets in forest products and agriculture.

These facilities expand reach, relieve port congestion, and create new opportunities for businesses across the Southeast.

 Growth with a Conscience

When asked how SC Ports balances rapid growth with environmental responsibility, Barbara doesn't hesitate: it’s about transparency, community engagement, and collaboration with environmental groups. She points out that ports must be both economic engines and stewards of place.

"A port that operates invisibly in its community is winning. But a port that earns its community’s pride- that’s leading."

 Leadership Lessons from a Trailblazer

Barbara closes the episode with candid and inspiring advice for the next generation of logistics leaders:

1. “Get at the big table”-especially for women in the industry

2. Look beyond your own walls and understand the entire supply chain

3. Learn to take bad news well - otherwise people will stop telling you the truth

4. You either win or you learn - and both outcomes move you forward

"If you become an isolated leader, you're not a leader at all- you’re just filling a desk."

A Container’s Story

In a memorable moment, Barbara shares a real-world example of teamwork and purpose:

During a hurricane recovery effort, one container full of urgently needed goods made it off a vessel, through the terminal, and out the gate just in time to restore power for a family in North Carolina. That kind of compassionate, coordinated effort, across pilots, stevedores, motor carriers, and the port team, is what sets South Carolina Ports apart.

"If you're a container coming through our port, you're not just a box- you're a good that belongs to someone. And we treat it that way."

🔑 Key Takeaways

1. Ports are more than infrastructure - they’re culture, strategy, and community.

2. South Carolina Ports leads with clarity, creativity, and commitment.

3. Real leadership looks like empathy, honest communication, and a relentless drive to solve problems.

 Listen now to Episode 39 of Kev Talks: Real World Global Logistics – available on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your logistics fix.

📌 Quote to remember:

“The future of logistics isn’t just about containers and cranes- it’s about courage and creativity.”

In this episode of Kev Talks: Real World Global Logistics, co-hosts Kevin Parkerson and Kevin Higgins sit down with David Keefauver, a seasoned leader who recently took on the role of Executive Vice President of People for J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.

David offers honest insights into transitioning from 30 years in operations to HR, the role empathy plays in leadership, and how humility and a learning mindset helped him navigate a new role at one of the country’s largest logistics providers.

Listeners will appreciate David’s candor about his first few months in the new role and his gratitude for a supportive team. He also reflects on what energizes him most, building cultures where people are valued, appreciated, and empowered to do their best work.

Toward the end of the episode, the conversation turns local as David shares why he and his wife plan to eventually retire in Northwest Arkansas. From world-class mountain biking and SEC sports to surprise archery adventures, David talks about how the region offers a lifestyle that's hard to beat and why it's become a place they’re proud to call home.

On this episode of Kev Talks: Real World Global Logistics, co-hosts Kevin Parkerson and Kevin Higgins sit down with Tyler Sellers, founder and CEO of Qualle and DrayRates.ai, to talk about real-world inefficiencies in drayage—and how smart tech and bold execution are finally solving them.

From his early days as an actor (including a cameo with Kevin Costner in McFarland, USA) to leading two of the most forward-thinking logistics platforms in North America, Tyler shares what it takes to turn friction into opportunity in one of the supply chain’s messiest sectors.

 Qualle: A Smarter Way to Reuse Containers

Street turns—reusing an import container for an export load, save time, money, and miles. But they’ve historically been too manual, too messy, and too rare.

Qualle solves that. Launched in 2022, the platform:

1. Connects truckers, carriers, exporters, and importers in one ecosystem

2. Automates container reuse approvals via API with ocean carriers like Maersk and COSCO

3. Helps reduce congestion, improve margins, and streamline asset management

4. Now partners with over 2,000 carriers and integrates with major TMS, YMS, and WMS systems

“The process is complex, but we’re making it simpler, one integration at a time.” - Tyler Sellers

 DrayRates.ai: Real-Time Pricing for an Unpredictable Market

In 2025, Tyler launched DrayRates.ai, a dynamic pricing tool that replaces guesswork with AI-driven clarity.

DrayRates:

1. Delivers instant spot and contract quotes

2. Helps brokers avoid rate farming and preserve trucker goodwill

3. Tracks rate volatility by stitching together live data from ports, terminals, vessel schedules, and more

4. Allows users to see why a rate is changing—not just that it is

“We want to build a real spot market for drayage—something the industry’s never had.” - Tyler Sellers

 Why Drayage is Broken and Worth Fixing

Drayage is full of problems most shippers avoid thinking about:

1. Terminal congestion

2. Chassis pool mismatches

3. Manual quotes that waste time and strain relationships

4. Outdated, static pricing in a volatile market

Tyler breaks down how these inefficiencies hurt productivity and why his platforms are built to address them at scale, with real results.

“If GPA’s turn times go from 41 minutes to 62, your rate should reflect that. We’re giving people the data to justify it.” - Tyler Sellers

 Startup Wisdom from the Trenches

Tyler doesn’t sugarcoat the startup life:

1. Hardest lesson? Patience. Logistics and enterprise software don’t move fast.

2. Most useful mindset? Ride the highs and lows—don’t get stuck in either.

3. Best advice? Just send it. Don’t wait for perfect. Launch, learn, iterate.

“Every failure is a rocket launch. Fire it, learn something, adjust. Just like Elon.” - Tyler Sellers

 The Future: Tech That Plays Nice

Tyler sees an opportunity to open up a historically siloed drayage tech environment. His goal? Make DrayRates accessible anywhere:

1. Inside your TMS? ✅

2. Embedded in your CRM? ✅

3. On your quoting tools or website? ✅

Unlike the truckload space, where tech integrations are common, drayage platforms tend to operate in isolation. Tyler wants to change that.

“We’re ready to partner. Wherever you need DrayRates to live-we’ll meet you there.” - Tyler Sellers

 Connect with Tyler Sellers

Want to learn more about smart drayage solutions?

1. 🌐 Street turns & container reuse: Qualle.co

2. 🌐 Real-time drayage pricing: DrayRates.ai

3. 💬 LinkedIn: DM Tyler- he’s online “30 hours a day” and will respond

 Essential listening for:

BCOs, brokers, truckers, freight forwarders, and anyone ready to modernize the most complex and overlooked part of the intermodal supply chain