The Loadstar

In this episode of The Loadstar Podcast, Charlotte Goldstone is joined by Container Trade Statistics (CTS) CEO Nigel Pusey and Loadstar Managing Editor Gavin van Marle to unpack one of the most turbulent starts to a year the container shipping industry has ever seen.

From the fallout of the US Supreme Court ruling against Trump’s IEEPA tariffs to the escalating Middle East conflict and closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the trio explores how geopolitics, reroutings, fuel costs and shifting sourcing strategies are reshaping global trade flows in real time.

Using CTS Q1 2026 data, they discuss:

Plus, Nigel and Gavin revisit the predictions they made earlier this year, share what surprised them most in the numbers, and look ahead to what Q2 could bring — including whether the Red Sea return is officially off the table.

Listen now for a data-rich deep dive into the volatility redefining global shipping in 2026.

This week on News in Brief, Charlotte Goldstone and her guests break down the latest developments shaping the freight and logistics market. First, Xeneta senior market analyst Destine Ozuygur joins the podcast to unpack the ongoing Middle East conflict and what the latest developments around the Strait of Hormuz could mean for global supply chains.

The discussion explores growing speculation around an early Asia-Europe peak season, concerns over oil prices and blank sailings, carrier Q1 earnings, and the latest movements in ocean freight spot rates. 

Later in the episode, The Loadstar’s Alex Lennane discusses one of the week’s biggest industry stories: DSV’s confirmation that CargoWise will be replaced as the backbone of its operations by its in-house Tango platform. Alex also explains the latest leadership changes at Emirates SkyCargo, reactions from Cargolux to the Hormuz crisis, and how current disruption is influencing air cargo rates and capacity. 

Plus, a roundup of what caught readers’ attention on Premium this week. 

This week’s News in Brief dives back into the ongoing disruption in the Middle East, as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed and oil prices continue to ripple through global supply chains. But while uncertainty persists, there are signs of shifting strategy  with CMA CGM doubling down on Red Sea transits, raising the question of whether other carriers will follow and what that could mean for freight rates. 

Charlotte Goldstone is joined by Xeneta’s Peter Sand to break down the latest on ocean freight, from the risk of a renewed rate war to what improving schedule reliability really means beneath the surface. 

On the airfreight side, Alex Lennane unpacks a market still under pressure. Capacity is slowly returning, but jet fuel shortages and high prices are keeping rates elevated and operations tight. We also look at flight cuts in Chicago, Kuehne + Nagel’s latest earnings, and a deep dive into Cathay Cargo and the “cruel paradox” facing the carrier amid ongoing disruption. 

From Suez strategy to fuel strain, this episode maps the key forces shaping freight right now. 

This week’s News in Brief returns to the ongoing uncertainty in the Middle East, as a ceasefire extension fails to reopen the Strait of Hormuz - leaving carriers scrambling for alternatives. 

Gavin van Marle breaks down the latest developments, from vessel incidents and rerouted services to softening spot rates into the Gulf and the growing role of land-side solutions.  

We also look at early Q1 port data from Rotterdam and Antwerp-Bruges, and what it reveals about underlying demand - as well as the bigger question hanging over the market: is overcapacity starting to bite? 

Later in the episode, Rotate’s Jonathan Mellink joins to unpack the airfreight picture. Capacity is beginning to return in the Gulf, but unevenly, as airlines chase higher yields and redeploy lift across stronger lanes. Meanwhile, fuel shortages and rising costs are forcing tough operational decisions, adding further volatility to an already unpredictable market. 

From Hormuz to hub capacity, this episode connects the key pressure points shaping freight right now. 

In a world where global trade is still growing but disruption is constant, traditional supply chain models are starting to show their limits. Built for scale and efficiency, “one-size-fits-all” logistics no longer reflects the very different risks faced by industries today.

In this episode, DP World COO Beat Simon explains why supply chains need to be designed around specific sectors - and what it means to “orchestrate trade” rather than simply move cargo.With specific examples of retail and healthcare verticals, he shares how small changes in routing and handling can bring products quicker to market, increase visibility, extend shelf life, reduce waste and protect margins  - offering a practical example of how logistics is becoming more tailored, integrated and value-driven.

Listen now to hear all about how DP World is utilising its Trade Platform 'toolbox' to tailor supply chains in an increasingly volatile market!

This week’s News in Brief takes stock of a fragile pause in Middle East tensions, as the US-Iran ceasefire enters its second week. But while the Strait of Hormuz remains open, uncertainty still hangs over global supply chains - and the impact on both ocean and air freight is far from resolved.

Charlotte Goldstone is joined by Drewry’s director of supply chain advisory Chantal McRoberts to break down the latest on container shipping, including scenario planning for how long the conflict could last, and what that means for capacity, rates and contract negotiations.

Alex Lennane brings the airfreight update, with markets showing signs of stabilisation rather than recovery. Capacity is returning in some regions, but fuel costs, disruption and uneven demand are keeping rates elevated and unpredictable. 

Also in this episode: what China’s revised Maritime Code could mean for international shipping contracts, and a long-awaited step forward in the US tariff refund process - though key questions remain unanswered. 

From geopolitics to pricing pressure, this episode unpacks a market still navigating uncertainty - even as tensions temporarily ease.

Have your say on the state of AI in the supply chain industry here! 

After a two-week break, News in Brief returns with a major geopolitical development at the top of the agenda: a fragile two-week ceasefire between the US and Iran, reopening the Strait of Hormuz - at least for now. But with fresh attacks still reported and negotiations only just beginning, uncertainty remains high across global supply chains.

Gavin van Marle breaks down what this means for ocean shipping, from disrupted services and carrier pullbacks to the big question: will freight rates fall, or stay elevated amid ongoing risk and operational uncertainty?

We’re also joined by Aevean’s Head of Consulting, Maarten Wormer, to explore how the airfreight market is reacting, from shifting capacity and routing decisions to whether any sense of normal seasonality is returning in a market shaped by constant disruption.

With war risk surcharges, volatile fuel costs and unanswered questions around future transits, this episode unpacks what the ceasefire really means for shippers, and why stability may still be some way off.

This week, we unpack the latest developments in the Middle East and what a continued disruption means for global supply chains. 

Host Charlotte Goldstone is joined by Freightos’ head of research, Judah Levine, for a data-driven look at how ongoing conflict, airspace closures, and shipping reroutes are reshaping both air and ocean freight markets. With Gulf carriers under pressure, we explore the extent of the air cargo capacity squeeze and what it’s doing to rates across key lanes. 

On the ocean side, the picture is more nuanced. Despite disruption concerns — from Hormuz risks to fuel price volatility — rate increases haven’t surged as sharply as expected. So what’s actually happening beneath the surface? 

Later, Gavin van Marle joins the conversation to break down emerging supply chain patterns, including shifting trade routes, the growing role of alternative hubs like Jeddah, and the broader balance between supply, demand, and geopolitical uncertainty. 

Plus: the latest premium stories and what’s been moving the market this week all in just 20 minutes.  

Escalating tensions in the Middle East are once again creating uncertainty for global supply chains. In this episode, host Charlotte Goldstone is joined by Marco Forgione, director general of the UK’s Chartered Institute of Export & International Trade, to discuss the latest developments in the conflict and what they could mean for global trade flows, oil prices and supply chain resilience. They also look at tariff developments and whether shippers are changing their strategies in response.

Charlotte is then joined by Alex Lennane, publisher of The Loadstar, to run through the latest airfreight developments, including airspace disruptions across the Middle East, tightening capacity and rising fuel costs. Plus, a two-day cockpit crew strike across the Lufthansa Group and the latest twist in the ongoing Panama ports dispute involving Cosco, Maersk and MSC.

Finally, Peter Sand, chief analyst at Xeneta, shares the latest data on ocean freight spot rates and explains how geopolitical tensions and capacity shifts are shaping the market. He also offers advice for shippers and forwarders navigating an increasingly volatile freight environment.

Hear all the important points of last week's supply chain news in just over 20 minutes!

Global supply chains are once again navigating turbulent waters. In this episode, we break down the immediate logistics fallout from the escalating conflict in the Middle East – from the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and vessels turning back mid-voyage, to collapsing air cargo capacity as Gulf airspace shuts down. What could this mean for freight rates, fuel markets, and global capacity?

Charlotte Goldstone is joined by Alex Lennane to unpack the biggest stories of the week, including the early impacts on ocean and air freight, the legal debate around force majeure, and the latest developments on US tariff refunds. Later, Gavin van Marle checks in from TPM in Long Beach with the key themes dominating conversations at the industry’s biggest gathering.
All this plus much more, in just 20 minutes!