The Freight Buyers' Club

Mike King
The Freight Buyers' Club

The Freight Buyers’ Club podcast is a new home for anyone with a professional interest in international trade, container shipping, procurement, logistics and air cargo. Each episode your host, award-winning journalist Mike King, will be speaking to leading decision-makers, analysts, journalists, operators and shippers to get their take on current freight and logistics markets and the challenges and opportunities ahead. You can subscribe to receive each episode direct to your inbox at: thefreightbuyersclub.com

  1. SEP 25

    Strikes ahead: Preparing your supply chain for U.S. port shutdowns

    In this episode, host Mike King and guests discuss the imminent threat of a major dockworker strike on the U.S. East and Gulf Coasts and its potential to disrupt more than half of the nation's container shipping capacity. With the clock ticking on labour negotiations, businesses are facing the possibility of severe disruption to logistics, supply chains and pricing. The conversation covers key issues, including how this strike could impact U.S. industries reliant on imported goods, the ripple effects on global trade, and what shippers can expect in terms of price hikes, surcharges, and operational delays. We also look at the political complexities of the situation, as the government balances union relations with the potential economic fallout of a prolonged shutdown. From container lines shifting their strategies to shippers racing to move goods ahead of the strike, this episode dissects the likely short- and long-term impacts on U.S. supply chains and global trade flows. With crucial holiday shipments on the line and industries ranging from retail to agriculture at risk, this episode, produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group, unpacks the broader impact of this potential strike on global trade and supply chain resilience. Guests Michael Angell, Senior Editor, Journal of Commerce John McCown, Senior Fellow, Center for Maritime Strategy Paul Page, Bureau Chief, The Wall Street Journal’s Logistics Report

    45 min
  2. SEP 16

    Air-mageddon? What freight buyers need to know ahead of peak season

    This episode, produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group, focuses on what buyers need to know about the looming air cargo peak season as freight rates soar. Host Mike King and guests examine the latest trade lane dynamics, with a particular focus on outbound rates from Asia to Europe and the U.S. The discussion covers the unexpected demand surge this summer, security concerns affecting global supply chains, and the key drivers reshaping the market, including Suez Canal container shipping diversions and e-commerce growth. Looking ahead to the air freight peak season, the conversation addresses capacity shortages, potential port strikes, and the impact on air freight rates. Broader issues such as U.S.-China tariffs, U.S. Presidential elections, long-term demand growth, and the increasing role of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) are also explored. This episode provides essential analysis and expert perspectives on the challenges and changes facing the air cargo industry in 2025 and beyond, not least the potential capacity crunch. Mike and his guests conclude by debating whether the current supply-demand balance reflects what we can expect in terms of capacity availability and pricing in 2025, or if the current market is a house of cards, vulnerable to geopolitical and policy changes that could lead to a rates collapse.   Guests Glyn Hughes, Director General, TIACA Kathy Liu, Vice President, Global Sales & Marketing, Dimerco Express Group Peyton Burnett, MD, TAC Index   Episode in more detail: Air cargo’s Indian summer (2.31) Market drivers (3.40) SE Asia wins (4.48) Heightened security risk (6.02) Suez diversions + e-tailers (10.14) Capacity crunch and charters (13.46) US dockworker strikes (15.32) What price peak season rates (17.54) U.S. tariff threat (22.20) China+1 challenges and opportunities (30.53) How to speed up air cargo (35.16) Air freight’s wish list (41.47) Supply, demand and rates in 2025 (43.07) Solid foundations or house of cards? (47.42) The state of SAF (54.24)

    59 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

The Freight Buyers’ Club podcast is a new home for anyone with a professional interest in international trade, container shipping, procurement, logistics and air cargo. Each episode your host, award-winning journalist Mike King, will be speaking to leading decision-makers, analysts, journalists, operators and shippers to get their take on current freight and logistics markets and the challenges and opportunities ahead. You can subscribe to receive each episode direct to your inbox at: thefreightbuyersclub.com

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