Supply Chain Secrets

This week on Supply Chain Secrets, Lars Jensen and Caroline Weaver dive deep into the tariff chaos rattling US importers, a collapse in 20-foot container rates with big implications for US exporters, and why equipment shortages could blindside your bookings. Plus, we unpack reliability stats, looming Q4 deadlines, and the twist in the Hutchison Ports deal that’s reigniting geopolitical tension in Panama. 

Is peak season already over? In this no-holds-barred episode of Supply Chain Secrets, guest host Don Davis and industry veteran Lars Jensen deliver a firehose of insight. They expose the vanished Trans-Pacific peak, decode the chaos behind West vs. East Coast rate disparities, and unpack what looming tariffs and overcapacity mean for your freight strategy.

Lars dives deep into real NYFI spot rate data, global emissions trends, and the shipping industry's dirty secret: a structural overcapacity problem that scrapping and slow steaming can’t solve. Don adds frontline insight into customer booking behavior, holiday crunch risks, and why shippers may be gambling too long on a “wait-and-see” strategy.

Key Takeaways for Shippers:

• Peak season came—and went. Are you behind already?
• Why East Coast rates are holding—but West Coast optimism vanished.
• 16% fleet growth vs. 10% TEU growth = long-term overcapacity warning.
• How new EU emissions data proves carriers are speeding up—but still late.
• The October Chinese Golden Week could cause a crunch. Are you ready?

If you ship cargo, this is the insider episode you can’t afford to miss.

This week on Supply Chain Secrets, Caroline Weaver and Lars Jensen break down the rollercoaster of recent Trans-Pacific rates—why they surged, why they collapsed just as quickly, and how tariffs are reshaping peak season entirely. They explore how geopolitical uncertainty and shifting trade policy are leaving both carriers and shippers scrambling. Plus, Lars explains why August 1 could be a breaking point for U.S. importers trying to plan amid chaos. 

From a 15% Trans-Pacific volume drop to an unclear U.S. tariff deadline, uncertainty dominates the trade landscape. In this week's episode of Supply Chain Secrets, Lars and Caroline unpack alarming CTS data, sharp spot rate shifts, and a dramatic Red Sea attack on a commercial vessel. Will July 9 spark a global trade war—or more mixed messaging? Tune in to understand how shifting demand, container imbalances, and geopolitical flashpoints are reshaping global shipping in real time. 

In this episode of Supply Chain Secrets, Caroline Weaver returns from Iceland to catch up with Lars Jensen on a whirlwind of global trade developments. They unpack the escalating U.S.-Canada dispute triggered by Canada’s Digital Services Tax, analyze softening Trans-Pacific rates despite high quotes, and spotlight a surprise spike in Atlantic westbound rates. Lars also breaks down the unusually tight Asia–East Coast South America market and a sudden border closure between Thailand and Cambodia. Plus, for once—some good geopolitical news as tensions ease in the Iran–Israel conflict. 

In this episode, guest host Don Davis joins Lars Jensen to unpack what he calls the most drastic market swing since the financial crisis. Spot quotes from Asia to the USWC surged—then plummeted in real-world execution, with a $1,500 per FFE drop in just one week. 

Lars breaks down the data gap between quotes and actual bookings, and how mismatched timing between demand and capacity triggered a rapid unwinding. They also explore the geopolitical implications of rising Middle East tensions and how it could impact shipping lanes and oil prices. A must-listen for anyone watching rates, risk, and reliability in today’s supply chain.

In this episode of Supply Chain Secrets, guest host Don Davis and Lars Jensen unpack the latest ripple effects across global shipping. From the unfolding Israel-Iran conflict and misinformation surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, to erratic Trans-Pacific freight rates and spot rate premiums from Northeast Asia, they break down what’s real, what’s noise, and what it means for shippers. Plus, they explore how U.S.-China tariff confusion and European port congestion could reshape peak season planning. Amid all the volatility, one thing is clear: the supply chain is strained—but still standing. 

Spot rate indices are surging, but what are shippers actually paying? 

In this episode, Lars Jensen joins from Sicily (yes, right next to an erupting volcano) to unpack why the NYFI freight index is diverging from traditional benchmarks like the SCFI. Caroline and Lars explore how quote-based indices can mislead, what’s really happening on the ground, and why South America’s demand boom is quietly reshaping capacity flows. Plus, they discuss how upcoming tariff shifts, port disruptions, and demand front-loading could whiplash the market by August. 

Sign up for free NYFI freight rate data at nyshex.com/indices

In this week’s episode of the Supply Chain Secrets Podcast, Lars Jensen and Caroline Weaver unpack the sharp spike in spot rates out of China, dissect new capacity injections, and clarify the latest legal developments around U.S. tariffs.

 From NYFI and SCFI comparisons to the ripple effects on global reliability and port congestion, this episode offers timely insight for shippers navigating a market in flux.

Sign up for free NYFI freight index data at nyshex.com/indices

This week on Supply Chain Secrets, Lars and Caroline unpack the latest twists in global trade policy—from the EU tariff threats to the 90-day ceasefire’s ripple effects across U.S. ports. Lars explains why unpredictability—not the tariffs themselves—is the real disruptor, and how that plays out in vessel deployment, port congestion, and inland supply chains. 

They also dive into NYFI data trends beyond China, explore the political push for domestic shipbuilding in India vs. the U.S., and preview the FMC’s new fact-finding mission. 

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