The Loadstar

By The Loadstar Media LtdBusiness News

The Loadstar episodes

February 24, 2022 TPM 22 preview. What next for rates and competition policy? And a Loadstar Special Report: Labour Shortages & The Great Resignation.
Credits: Created, Produced and Hosted by Mike King
Ahead of TPM22 in Long Beach at the end of February, this episode of The Loadstar Podcast examines the key challenges facing those in the business of supply chain, and those wondering how much logistics costs will sever from their bottom lines.
This episode also examines freight rates across modes post-Chinese New Year and ahead of the Transpacific contracting season. The latter, of course, clouded by US west coast dockworkers negotiations that could hurt port productivity.
And in part 2, a Loadstar Special Report examines labour shortages across the global supply chain. Is this ‘Great Resignation’ a structural fault or simply a symptom of two years of Covid and all the labour and logistics stresses that have resulted?
Guests
Alex Lennane, Loadstar Publisher
Peter Tirschwell - Vice President, Maritime & Trade - IHS Markit
Peter Sand, Chief Shipping Analyst, Xeneta
Claire French, Air Sea & Road Freight Recruitment Specialist at Select Appointments UK
Jason Miller, Associate Professor of Logistics, Department of Supply Chain Management, Michigan State University — Eli Broad College of Business
Lee Klaskow, Senior Analyst for Transportation and Logistics at Bloomberg Intelligence

Episode in more detail:
Why lines and forwarders are investing in air capacity (3.20)
Ground handlers struggle with costs (4.50)
Competition authorities eye container lines (5.38)
Ocean freight rates bounce back (9.15)
Known Unknowns: China’s Covid containment policy, Ukraine and cyber risks (11.40)
TPM agenda and global trade challenges (14.25 – 30.30)
U.S. West Coast dockworker union negotiations threat to global trade, US port productivity and what happens next (20.45)
The state of US logistics and what it means for corporate America (30.45)
US road and rail outlook (30.40)
Ukraine crisis – implications (38.35)
Part 2 - Special Report: Labour Shortages & The Great Resignation. (40.45 to 1.05)
Post-Brexit labour blues for forwarders (55.05)
1 hr 6 min
February 16, 2022 The Big Interview: Shipping’s Renaissance Man – Mike King meets AP Moller Maersk’s Morten Bo Christiansen
Credits: Created, Produced and Hosted by Mike King
In this inaugural episode of the Loadstar Podcast Big Interview editor Mike King talks to AP Moller Maersk’s Morten Bo Christiansen, shipping’s Renaissance Man.
Over the last Morten decade has been tasked with finding solutions to some of the critical challenges facing both his company and the shipping and freight industry.
In his previous position as Head of Strategy he worked closely with CEO Soren Skou as Maersk ditched its energy business and started its bold ‘transformation’. This was designed to turn Big Blue from being a provider of commoditized port-to-port services into a fully-fledged container logistics integrator. A strategy which has not been without controversy, as this podcast explores.
If that wasn’t challenge enough, Morten has now stepped up once more to take on arguably an even greater undertaking. As Head of Decarbonization at AP Moller Maersk, his task is multi-faceted. While many shipping lines need to understand decarbonization in relation primarily to vessel design, new fuels and operations, Maersk now need to apply its decarbonization strategy to its extended global supply chains as it spends recent windfalls on everything from more warehouses to more freighters.

Maersk’ transformation rationale (1.53)
Parcels industry as inspiration (6.27)
Does Maersk still value smaller forwarders as customers? (8.15)
Why Maersk is taking decarbonisation seriously (10.21)
Regulators must step up (15.17)
Betting on methanol (17.48)
Maersk green pledge (23.53)
Why shipping needs a carbon tax (27.01)
Absolute zero vs net zero carbon emissions (29.15)

32 min
February 02, 2022 Carriers vs forwarders; Cargo Theft & Cultural Wars; Asia-Europe at full stretch
Credits: Created, Produced and Hosted by Mike King
This jam-packed episode examines why container lines are getting increasingly picky about who they deem worthy of their servicesm and why the implications for forwarders are far-reaching.
We turn our gaze on cargo thefts and why they are being dragged into the cultural wars, and we consider if container lines will continue to buy airlines.
We also look in more detail at what is happening on the Asia-Europe trade, we examine how liner network reorganisations are impacting less lucrative trades and we hear the latest on air and shipping freight rates.

Guests
Emma Rowlands, Strategic Sales Director for Hong-Kong headquartered Kerry Logistics
Peyton Burnett, Managing Director of TAC INDEX.
Hans-Henrik Nielsen, Global Development Director at CargoGulf
Stefan Verberckmoes, Shipping Analyst & Editor North Europe at Alphaliner
Mike Yarwood, TT Club’s Managing Director, Loss Prevention
Gavin van Marle, Managing Editor of The Loadstar

EP2 2022 in more detail
Are Maersk and other carriers snubbing forwarders? And does the market really want all-in services from lines given historical customer service performance? (2.30 – 11.00)
The latest shipping rates (11.00)
Air cargo rates go awry (13.00)
More carrier investments in air cargo as MSC makes its move? (17.10)
Asia-Europe forwarding focus – why shipping early makes sense. (19.45)
Trucking long-haul: Transit times from China to Europe (23.40)
Why stratospheric freight rates on the East-West trades are sucking capacity out of less lucrative lanes (27.15)
How the Middle East is coping with liner network recalibrations (34.20)
Cargo Thefts & Culture Wars (42.00)
Cargo Security and how to improve it (44.25)
Nusrat Ghani MP: A former UK Transport Minister who deserved better (49.40)
52 min
January 20, 2022Chinese New Year mini-spike or multimodal crunch?
Credits: Created, Produced and Hosted by Mike King
2022 is already shaping to be a year of daunting challenges for freight and shipping. Carriers by sea, air, ocean and rail can expect healthy profits. But for buyers, managing procurement and inventories has never been more important.
The lead-in to Chinese New Year factory closures at the start of February is the focus of this episode. Are we seeing the traditional mini-peak or is there a looming multimodal crunch on the horizon? And, what comes afterwards?
All is revealed as we hear the latest from China, and examine what’s happening in air freight markets and where container contract and spot rates are on the East-West trade lanes.
Guests:
Peter Sand, Chief Shipping Analyst, Xeneta(Co-host).
Akhil Nair, VP Global Carrier Management & Ocean Strategy at SEKO Logistics.
Jason Haith, Manager at Transpacific forwarding specialist OEC Group.
Neel Jones Shah, Flexport Executive Vice President and Global Head of Airfreight.
Adam Compain, Senior VP for Product Marketing & Supply Chain Insights, project44.
EP1 2022 in more detail:
Ocean spot rates ahead of Chinese New Year (3.10)
How Covid outbreaks are impacting logistics in China (5.40) – Seko Logistics viewpoint
Can carriers use Chinese New Year to improve schedule reliability? (11.00)
Q2 Shipping supply and demand imbalance? (13.30)
Asia’s airports and airlines are struggling with zero-Covid policies (15.00) – Flexport
Air cargo rates in January (19.00)
US consumption still driving ocean freight markets and sucking in ships (19.50)
Spotlight: The Transpacific (19.50), Xeneta, project44 and OEC Group
US hinterland – port delays; trucking rates sky high on scarcity (25.10)
Transpacific contract negotiations commence early (32.00)
Will PMA/ILWU West Coast port dockworker negotiations prompt rush for East Coast deliveries? (34.40)
US airport infrastructure as outdated as its ports (39.40)
Global air freight demand in 2022 (42.30)
Asia-Europe container trade analysis (45.15)
53 min
December 16, 2021 2021 Winners and Losers and the challenges ahead
Credits: Created, Produced and Hosted by Mike King
Our end-of-year special examines the biggest stories of 2021 and the narratives that have found traction in media far beyond the confines of logistics and shipping.
We pick out the winners and losers of pandemic supply chains. We analyse labour shortages, industry consolidation, the latest acquisitions, who has money to burn, and the biggest challenges facing forwarders and shippers.
And we look at rates and forecasts for 2022, what Covid means for the future of supply chain planning, and whether shippers and carriers can ever find common ground.
EP10 in more detail:
The Ever Given blockage of the Suez Canal (4.17)
Why it wasn’t a black swan event (6.36)
Why airlines are now taking air cargo seriously (7.46)
Air cargo peak season pricing – the last five years in perspective (9.00)
Greedy airlines? (10.00)
The winners from Covid supply chains (11.35)
High rates pull in new air freight entrants (15.40)
War chests for 2022 – who will buy what? (17.26)
Labour shortages cast shadow (19.36)
Loadstar journalists discuss their favourite stories of 2021 (21.14)
Coined here: Pure Play Contract Logistics Operators (23.52)
Regulators eye container shipping (25.57)
The biggest challenges in 2022 for forwarders and shippers (26.46)
John Pearson. DHL Express CEO – supply chain resilience (29.34)
Lars Jensen, CEO of Vespucci Maritime – why near shoring doesn’t work (32.15)
Air and ocean rate forecasts for 2022 (36.36)
Bjorn Vang Jensen, VP of Advisory Services at Sea-Intelligence – what Covid has taught carriers (39.23)
Can lines and shippers make peace? (42.50)
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: The world according to Michael Wax, Co-Founder and CEO of Forto (46.10)

Appearing in this episode:
Alex Lennane, Loadstar Publisher
Gavin Van Marle, Loadstar MD
Mike Wackett, Loadstar sea freight correspondent
Michael Wax, Co-Founder and CEO of Forto
John Pearson. DHL Express CEO
Bjorn Vang Jensen, VP of Advisory Services at Sea-Intelligence
Lars Jensen, CEO of Vespucci Maritime
1 hr 6 min
December 02, 2021Power cuts in China, the Transpacific rollercoaster and global port congestion bites
Credits: Created, Produced and Hosted by Mike King
EP9 sweeps the length of global supply chains. From power cuts and factory shutdowns in China we swing across the Transpacific to the US where logistics networks are straining with final holiday season deliveries and pressure is mounting on the last mile. Then we jump to Europe where we’ll hear how terminal operators are coping with liner scheduling disarray. Or not as the case may be.
EP9 in more detail:
What did OEM Q3 financials tell us about supply chains? (2.40)
The latest on air and ocean freight rates (5.50)
Cathay Pacific and FedEx react to Hong Kong lockdowns (8.15)
Maersk’s China logistics strategy as electricity shortages and Covid lockdowns bite (from 10.00 mins)
Disruption ahead as Chinese New Year and the Winter Olympics loom in February? (15.20 – 19.00 and 23.35-25.00)
Spotlight on the Transpacific trade (19.50)
US supply chain crunch explained (25.00)
What rising sales to inventory levels mean for US demand (28.00)
SEKO Logistics’ acquisition plans and Godfather III (30.20)
The US last-mile crunch, post-holiday reverse logistics and union troubles at UPS (36.21)
The port of Rotterdam’s plans to tackle terminal congestion (41.00)
Could port congestion kill the love-in with 20,000 TEU container ships (50.00)
Shipping’s underbelly: As the Omicron variant spreads worldwide and travel restrictions are reimposed, Frank Coles calls on governments to do more to protect the human rights of seafarers (52.45)

Guests:
Cathy Roberson, president, Logistics Trends & Insights
Caroline Wu, Area Managing Director for Maersk Greater China
Hans Nagtegaal, Director of Containers at the Port of Rotterdam
Brian Bourke, Chief Growth Officer at Seko Logistics
Sam Whelan, Loadstar Asia Correspondent
AND Frank Coles, EX-CEO of the Wallem Group and Strategic Advisor, Kariwa Maritime
59 min
November 04, 2021A never-ending peak season, IKEA exclusive and much ado about COP26
Credits: Created, Produced and Hosted by Mike King
EP8 of The Loadstar Podcast reports direct from Glasgow where world leaders are congregating for COP26, a meeting many believe is the last chance saloon for meaningful progress on climate change and one that could shape supply chain planning and investment for years to come.
EP8 also examines:
How IKEA is coping with logistics and supplier bottlenecks (33.30 mins).
Why US air cargo supply chains are at full stretch (19.30).
Why climate change is increasing the likelihood of containers being lost overboard (6.40).
Why airlines must do more on sustainability (15.45).
Why decarbonised supply chains mean higher costs.

Guests in this episode:
Susanne Waidzunas, IKEA Supply Chain Operations Manager
Brandon Fried, Executive Director of the Airforwarders Association
Peregrine Storrs-Fox, TT Clubs Risk Management Director
Michael Page, broadcast meteorologist at Flawless Forecast
Nick Savvides, Loadstar News Editor
Alex Lennane, Loadstar Publisher
50 min
October 14, 2021“The mother of all peak seasons.”
Credits: Created, Produced and Hosted by Mike King
As the holiday season closes in, Episode 7 of The Loadstar Podcast looks at what one of our guests believes will be the “the mother of all peak seasons”.
We also examine:
What next for air and ocean freight rates?
What options are still available to shippers looking to restock inventories before the holiday season finishes?
Why freight rates from South Asia have risen 50% in the last 2-3 weeks?
Is there any chance that Chinese New Year 2022 will bring order to ocean shipping, or are we already turning to 2023 for some respite?
What are the real economics of retailers chartering their own vessels?
With bellyhold capacity in short supply, who is investing in freighter aircraft?
And why is it only in the UK that a lack of truck drivers is causing acute shortages of everything, including fuel?

Guests in this episode:
John Pearson, CEO of DHL Express
Paul Page, Editor of The Wall St Journal’s Logistics Report.
Loadstar Founders Alex Lennane and Gavin Van Marle
Bryn Atherton, Commercial Director of UK-based forwarder Allseas Global Logistics
Bjorn Vang Jensen, former Electrolux procurement veteran and current VP Advisory Services, Global Supply Chain, Sea-Intelligence
56 min
September 30, 2021When will the container shipping supply chain chaos end?
Credits: Created, Produced and Hosted by Mike King
Episode 6 of The Loadstar Podcast turns its focus on the chaos currently affecting global container trades. Mike King is joined by a ‘who’s who’ of shipping and forwarding CEOs and analysts as they explore:
When the container shipping pricing madness might end?
What needs to change to unblock global trade?
And, with regulators now turning their gaze on box shipping, do carriers truly appreciate the terrible optics of reporting record profits while customers are suffering woeful service levels and breath-taking surcharges?
Participants in this episode:
John Butler, World Shipping Council (WSC) president and CEO
Sarah Banks, Global Lead, Freight and Logistics at Accenture
Kelvin Leung, Asia Pacific CEO, DHL Global Forwarding
Soren Toft, CEO of Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)
Nick Saviddes, Loadstar News Editor
Jon Gold, Vice President, Supply Chain and Customs Policy at the National Retail Federation
Paul Page, Editor of the WSJ Logistics Report
Daniel Maffei, Federal Maritime Commission Chairman
Lars Jensen, Vespucci Maritime CEO
45 min
September 09, 2021 Episode 5 - Shipping goes mainstream as the peak season rolls in
Credits: Created, Produced and Hosted by Mike King

In Episode 5 of The Loadstar Podcast, Mike King is joined by Loadstar shipping reporter Mike Wackett, Eric Reuter, Forto’s Vice President for Asia, and Happy Chau, a fashion logistics expert and Director of Sales with Transpacific specialist OEC Group.
They examine how shipping and logistics have become mainstream news, what impact Covid outbreaks are having on ports, airports and freight rates, and why carriers are increasingly favouring longer contracts and larger shippers.
Jefferies analyst Randy Giveans {from 22.30) explains how the markets are reacting to record carrier profits, and where all the extra cash will likely be spent.
And James Hookham (from 34.15), the outspoken director of the Global Shippers Forum, gives a freight buyers’ perspective on current markets in an exclusive Q&A.
54 min