In this episode of News in Brief, The Loadstar team delves into the latest developments in the world of tariffs and refund issues, rail mergers, ecommerce and ocean rate dynamics. 

In under 20 minutes, our award-winning journalists provide insights into how these topics - and many more -  could affect supply chains and consumer prices. 

So, tune in now for a comprehensive overview of the week's most significant shifts, and to hear what to keep an eye on for the week ahead! 

All the stories mentioned in this episode can be found on The Loadstar's website.

New CTS data shows just how deeply tariffs have hit US trade and Indian airfreight volumes, as Southeast Asia surges ahead under the China + 1 strategy.

The Loadstar team unpacks the numbers — and what they mean for rates, resilience, and rerouted cargo.

As the US Supreme Court takes on Trump’s reciprocal tariff policy, tension builds over whether refunds will ever materialize. Meanwhile, signs of peace in the Red Sea have carriers eyeing a return to Suez — but with overcapacity already looming, could that just make the freight picture murkier? And what will this mean for airfreight?

Plus, we look at booming trade through Southeast Asia, MSC’s fruit-fueled pivot to South Africa, and the EU’s new vote to end de minimis. All that and the best of Loadstar Premium — from California trucking chaos to “Wonder Jim” at Union Pacific — in this packed global round-up.

This week, the shipping industry hits new highs and new headaches.  

MSC’s record 7m teu fleet cements its dominance, while Maersk eyes fresh megaship orders amid warnings of a looming capacity glut that could stretch to 2030. Gavin van Marle breaks down the latest rate moves, the growing talk of rate wars, and what Q3 results reveal about carriers’ financial standing 

While in air cargo, Alex Lennane reports from TIACA’s Air Cargo Forum in Abu Dhabi with exclusive insights from Etihad Cargo. 

She also digs into Europe’s latest ecommerce crackdown with France grounding Shein imports and Cainiao pausing expansion in Liège, plus how a prolonged US government shutdown could soon clip flight capacity. 

From ocean overcapacity to airfreight uncertainty, this week’s episode keeps you up to date with the latest news across global logistics. 

It’s been a week of turmoil — and tentative relief — across global trade. Hurricane Melissa brought chaos to the Caribbean but spared Jamaica’s vital Kingston terminal, while in Asia, the fallout from Dhaka’s cargo village fire continues to snarl Bangladesh’s garment exports. Meanwhile, hopes for Red Sea stability were dashed as Israel resumed airstrikes in Gaza. 

Host and news reporter Charlotte Goldstone brings you the most important points of these stories to get you up to date with the news ahead of a new week.  

And there’s a flicker of good news: Washington and Beijing have agreed to suspend their port call fees for a year, softening trade tensions and cutting “fentanyl tariffs” by 10%. Gavin van Marle joins to unpack the toll tariffs have already taken on US port volumes and whether rate rises can last after weeks of GRI-driven recovery. 

Alex Lennane steps in to discuss the latest in air cargo, from Chicago Rockford’s new partnership with Liège to the early signs of the Christmas peak and a new US plan to ban belly cargo from Mexico City. She then chats to Ms Goldstone about UPS’s mixed earnings,  

All that, plus a look ahead to a pivotal week as the US Supreme Court tackles tariffs and The Loadstar team hits the road for the Air Cargo Forum in Abu Dhabi. 

In this epsiode of news in brief, hear how the one-year delay to the IMOs net-zero measures has set the stage for conflicting national rules, and how hopes of a return to Suez Canal transits threaten to swamp Europe’s ports with redirected cargo. 

Gavin van Marle breaks down whether recent GRIs are holding and what the first Q3 earnings reports from forwarding giants reveal about a volatile year.  

Then, Alex Lennane joins to unpack air cargo’s peak-season signals, the continuing fallout from the US de minimis exemption, and a spate of aviation incidents that underscore the sector’s safety challenges. 

If you want a snapshot of all the goings-on in supply chains and where the news might be headed next, this is the podcast for you. 

The dust is only just beginning to settle in Europe’s ports after last week’s strikes — but the disruption is far from over. Host Charlotte Goldstone updates you on the ripple effects in Antwerp, Bruges and Rotterdam, before turning to the week’s biggest story: a tense MEPC84 meeting where the IMO’s net-zero framework faced an unexpected twist of US threats of sanctions agaisnt countries voting “yes”. 

Meanwhile, Gavin van Marle chats about China expanding its own tit-for-tat port fees, how the alliances are fighting for capacity dominance, and why the market is bracing for softer contract rates despite a looming November GRI push. 

In air freight, Alex Lennane joins to dissect UPS’s parcel backlog meltdown, Flexport’s AI-driven fix for logistics reliability, and a cyberattack that put DSV in the spotlight lats week. Plus, Ms Goldstone shares insights from Aviation Connect in Copenhagen.  

If you’re following the global freight news cycle, this episode connects all the dots ahead of whatever this week has in store...  

Recent supply chain news has been all about disruption and adaptation. Europe’s biggest ports are hit by strikes, causing chaos in Rotterdam, Antwerp and Zeebrugge, while carriers raise charges at Chittagong and brace for new US port fees under the escalating trade war. Gavin van Marle breaks down how container volumes held up in August despite the tariff turmoil, and why some trade lanes are booming while others falter. 

In air freight, Alex Lennane joins to unpack the ripple effects of the US government shutdown, a visa fee hike that could squeeze logistics workforces, and how forwarders are seizing opportunities in a still-strong ecommerce sector. 

If you want the week’s essential supply chain headlines, expert analysis and a glimpse of what’s coming next, this is one you won’t want to miss. 

From tariffs to lawsuits, this week’s episode is packed with supply chain drama. 

Host Charlotte Goldstone kicks off the episode with an update on another wave of US tariffs — a move that could drag transpacific rates even lower.  

Gavin van Marle breaks down the latest freight rate moves, and why China’s Arctic shortcut isn’t tempting the likes of MSC. 

Then, Alex Lennane joins to unpack the air freight story. A US government shutdown is already causing delays and disruptions for cargo, while new sanctions on Mexico’s aviation sector are rattling cross-border trade — and Europe’s regulators are firmly in Washington’s sights too. 

We also dive into the legal frontlines: Flexport’s courtroom battle with Freightmate is heating up, and Maersk is staring down a class action over its pension plan. Plus, a few exclusive hints at what’s coming up on The Loadstar and what’s been on The Loadstar premium.  

If you’re struggling to keep on top of constant supply-chain updates across modes, The Loadstar’s News in Brief will neatly round up all you might have missed from last week!  

It’s only 16 minutes... Listen now! 

 Are you looking for a quick round up of all that went down last week in logistics?  

Typhoon Ragasa slams southern China, halting factory output just days before Golden Week. In Europe, Poland’s border closure with Belarus sparks airfreight rate hikes and rail disruptions, while Italian dock strikes target military shipments.  

Host Charlotte Goldstone also unpacks how tariffs continue to reshape trade lanes, with insights from the Caspian Air Cargo Summit, plus Loadstar Publisher Alex Lennane reports on cyber-attacks at major EU airports and the rising threat AI poses to forwarding jobs.  

In ocean freight, Cosco shrugs off USTR port fees, expands its India services, and eyes new port investments. Plus, Loadstar Editor Gavin van Marle brings you the very latest ocean freight rates, and insight on how one major carrier alliance is aiming to mitigate its losses. 

Listen to this quick 20-minute podcast for an overview of all the important supply-chain news items from last week, plus a glimpse of what you can expect to see coming up! 

In this episode of The Loadstar Podcast, host Charlotte Goldstone dives into the world of artificial intelligence in logistics and customs with two industry insiders: James Coombes, co-founder and CEO of Raft.AI, and Michael Douglas, customs technology consultant at ALS Customs Services.

Together, they unpack the reality behind the AI buzz – what’s hype, what’s real, and what’s already transforming global supply chains.

The conversation offers a rare, behind-the-scenes look at AI in action. You’ll hear how one of the world’s largest customs providers is integrating advanced AI tools to solve very human problems, with some surprising takeaways about data flows, where time savings truly happen, and why “saving on typing” is no longer the headline benefit.

Whether you’re AI-curious or already deep in digital transformation, this episode offers a grounded, insightful, and surprisingly candid conversation that you won’t want to miss.