Episodes
In this clip from EP 27 of the Freight Buyers' Club podcast, Stephen Olson, Visiting Fellow, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, compares and contrasts the approach to tariffs of the two U.S. presidential contenders. Big thanks to Dimerco Express for supporting this channel.
Published 10/31/24
Welcome to The Freight Buyers Club, the essential podcast for global trade professionals and supply chain leaders. Hosted by Mike King and produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group, each episode unpacks critical issues in international trade, geopolitics, and the logistics industry. As the upcoming U.S. presidential election draws near, we explore what each candidate’s trade policy could mean for global commerce and the technology sector. In this episode, we’re joined by Stephen...
Published 10/17/24
Published 10/17/24
In this entended clip from EP25 we are discussing why air cargo is frequently so slow. And what can be done to speed it up. Host Mike King is talking to (in order of appearance): Glyn Hughes, Director General, TIACA Kathy Liu, Vice President, Global Sales & Marketing, Dimerco Express Group Peyton Burnett, MD, TAC Index
Published 10/07/24
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...
Published 09/25/24
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...
Published 09/16/24
In this clip from EP 24 of the Freight Buyers' Club, produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group, Torsten Hartmann, Senior Director Trade Management for the Transpacific at Hapag-Lloyd explains what US shippers can expect next year from the Gemini Cooperation.  #SupplyChain #GlobalTrade #Logistics #SportsIndustry #FreightBuyersClub
Published 09/13/24
In this clip from EP 24 of the Freight Buyers' Club, produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group, Chris Rogers, Head of Supply Chain Research at S&P Global Market Intelligence, explains why there has been a downturn in the global trade in sport equipment. 
Published 09/12/24
In this extended clip from EP24 of The Freight Buyers' Club, produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group, host Mike King is talking to Chris Rogers, Head of Supply Chain Research at S&P Global Market Intelligence, about upcoming US President elections and the disruptive element policy uncertain on tariffs brings to supply chain planning.
Published 09/11/24
In this special two-part episode of The Freight Buyers’ Club, produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group, we tackle some of the most pressing issues in global trade and supply chains. First, we dive deep into the container shipping markets with Torsten Hartmann, Senior Director of Trade Management for the Transpacific at Hapag-Lloyd. Torsten provides critical insights on the disruptions in North American freight due to recent rail worker lockouts in Canada and looming dockworker...
Published 09/04/24
In this extended clip from #EP23 of The Freight Buyers' Club, hosted by industry veteran Mike King and produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group, Lars Jensen, one of the world’s foremost container shipping and supply chain analysts, explains why any union action at US East Coast and Gulf Coast ports will have global ramifications.
Published 08/15/24
In this episode of The Freight Buyers' Club, hosted by industry veteran Mike King and produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group, Mike interviews Lars Jensen, one of the world’s foremost container shipping and supply chain analysts. As CEO of Vespucci Maritime, Lars brings his unparalleled expertise to the table to discuss the pressing issues facing shippers. Topics covered include: What next for container spot and contract freight rates? The ongoing Red Sea Crisis and its long-term...
Published 08/07/24
In this clip from EP21 of The Freight Buyers Club, produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group, host Mike King is talking with Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Daniel Maffei.
Published 07/23/24
In this extended clip from Episode 21 of The Freight Buyers' Club, Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Daniel Maffei explains the latest D&D rule changes, how shippers can protect themselves from unfair fees, and how the FMC is SMEs. FBC is produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group and is available on all podcast platforms and YouTube.
Published 07/15/24
In this extended clip from EP 22, Mike King is talking to Jason Miller, Eli Broad Professor in Supply Chain Management at Michigan State University, and Jessica Dankert, Vice President Supply Chain, Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) about the economic and trade implications of a ramping up of US tariffs. Who pays for this and what does it mean for the US economy? Mike and guests also discuss whether decoupling the US economy from China's is feasible.Big thanks to Dimerco Express...
Published 07/09/24
In this episode of The Freight Buyers’ Club, produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group, host Mike King and his guests Jessica Dankert, Vice President Supply Chain at the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), and Jason Miller, Eli Broad Professor in Supply Chain Management at Michigan State University, examine the complexities and challenges of today's supply chain landscape. The conversation starts with the latest on US tariffs and the ongoing trade tensions with China,...
Published 06/25/24
In this episode of The Freight Buyers' Club, produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group, host Mike King addresses the most critical issues impacting the global supply chain. An exclusive interview with Federal Maritime Commission Chairman Daniel Maffei reveals the potential effects of the forthcoming U.S. presidential elections on the FMC’s powers. The conversation also explores why U.S. legislators are targeting the Shanghai Shipping Exchange and what U.S. shippers can do to...
Published 06/11/24
In this clip from EP19 of The Freight Buyers' Club podcast, produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group, host Mike King is chatting to Hua Joo Tan, Founder of Linerlytica, about the 2025 restructuring of the container shipping alliance system. In this clip they also discuss the pros and cons of the Gemini Cooperation partnership between Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd.
Published 05/29/24
This episode of The Freight Buyers’ Club, hosted by Mike King and supported by Dimerco Express Group, delves into current trans-Pacific shipping trends and challenges, particularly in relation air cargo and supply chain dynamics. It features insights from Eric Kulisch, Air Cargo and Supply Chain Editor at FreightWaves and American Shipper, and Kathy Liu, Vice President of Global Sales and Marketing, Dimerco Express Group. They discuss unseasonal demand and rate increases in air cargo, the...
Published 05/14/24
The current global container shipping landscape, viewed through the lens of freight buyers, rivals the complexity seen during the Covid era. Threats of new US tariffs, shipping and geopolitical risks spanning the Middle East and beyond, and substantial shifts in the liner shipping alliance system are casting significant shadows. In the US market, challenges such as the temporary closure of the port of Baltimore, potential dockworker union actions at Gulf and east coast ports, and low water...
Published 04/25/24
In this episode of The Freight Buyers’ Club, host Mike King delves into the current state of global trade amidst geopolitical tensions and disruptions with renowned economist, historian, and journalist, Marc Levinson. They explore the long-term implications for importers, exporters, carriers, and the entire transport ecosystem. From the impact of recent events on supply chains to the shifting dynamics of globalization, in this episode, produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group, Marc...
Published 04/09/24
Uncertainty and risk haunt supply chains right now, just as they shadow global politics and economics. Indeed, the future of trade and the musical chairs of international relations have possibly not been tethered so tightly since at least the Cold War, and perhaps even the Second World War. From Guyana to Central Asia, the Middle East to the South China Sea and Black Sea, risk stalks trade and threatens supply chain resilience, while the outbreak of conflict is reshaping the logistics...
Published 03/20/24
In this deep dive into US logistics and international trade, produced with the support of Dimerco Express Group, host Mike King explores whether 2024 could see a major surge of cargo into US West Coast terminals. Levi Strauss & Co said earlier this year that it had “already shifted some product to go through the West Coast instead of the East Coast". Clearly it is not alone.  The share of US seaborne imports of apparel shipped from Asia to US West Coast ports rose to 59.1% in December...
Published 03/01/24
In this news insights episode of The Freight Buyers’ Club, host Mike King is talking U.S. trucking, drayage, domestic freight demand and international trade with Matt Schrap, CEO of the Harbor Trucking Association. Among other topics, they delve into: The readiness of US West Coast truckers to cope with for an influx of import cargo due to disruptions in the Red Sea and Panama Canal. Whether LA and Long Beach ports have the processes, capacity and labour in place to handle a surge of...
Published 02/27/24