Unsettled Seas: China Tariffs, Rate Shifts, and the Return of Pirates
Container shipping just won’t sit still.This week, Caroline Weaver and Lars Jensen unpack the latest volatility across global trades — from Pacific spot rates showing strange regional “vibrations,” to a 20–30% capacity surge on the transatlantic that’s pushing rates to decade lows.They also break down the temporary pause in the U.S.–China trade war — what it really means for importers heading into 2026 — and why a new uptick in Somali piracy adds one more layer of complexity to an already unsettled market.Topics include:Pacific rate patterns after Golden WeekMSC’s mega-vessels reshaping the AtlanticThe U.S.–China tariff “ceasefire” and its 12-month deadlineRenewed piracy risks off East Africa
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18:53
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18:53
Inflation’s Hidden Freight Discount: Why Rates Are Lower Than You Think
Freight rates might look like they’re holding steady — but when you adjust for inflation, the real story tells a very different tale.In this week’s Supply Chain Secrets, Caroline Weaver and Lars Jensen break down why inflation-adjusted freight rates on major trade lanes have quietly slipped below pre-pandemic levels, even as indices like the SCFI show nominal increases.They also discuss how politically charged tariffs are blurring the line between trade policy and politics, and why a single Caribbean port closure could trigger ripple effects across the Americas.🎙️ In This Episode:Why inflation makes “stable” rates a hidden discount for shippersSCFI vs. NYFI: What’s really happening in loaded cargo ratesThe growing role of politics in U.S. trade policyRegional risks: how weather and regulation shape reliabilityWhat shippers should watch in the months ahead
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19:31
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19:31
No Stop Button, No Filter: What's Going on in Global Shipping This Week?
What happens when AWS failures disable your Stop Recording button?You let Lars Jensen keep talking — and you get one of the most in-depth updates yet. In this week’s Supply Chain Secrets, Caroline Weaver and Lars unpack:Why IMO’s “Net Zero” framework just became a zombie proposal,How that decision could stall billions in green-fuel investment,Why spot-rate spikes may be more sentiment than substance, andThe latest on the Red Sea ceasefire and tariff tension between the U.S. and China.This episode proves that when you can’t stop recording, you might just capture your best conversation yet.
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28:05
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28:05
Firehose Week: Tariffs, “China’s USTR,” MEPC Carbon Tax—and Why Rates Are Still Calm
Tariff whiplash, “China’s USTR,” and a carbon levy vote—yet spot rates look oddly calm. Caroline Weaver and Lars Jensen cut through the chaos: Trump’s 100% tariff warning vs. the Nov 10 tariff snap-back, China’s mirror policy (including the 25% ownership twist), and last-minute U.S. duties on ship-to-shore cranes (with 150% proposed on terminal gear). We also unpack why Trans-Pac spot rates paid are at ~12-month lows despite $3k GRI filings, and what CTS load-date demand says about where volumes are really headed.What you’ll learn:How (and whether) to front-load, and what carriers’ GRI filings signal vs. what’s likely to stickThe operational ripple effects of China’s mirror rules—beyond US–China lanesMEPC carbon levy timing (2027 processes, 2028 payments), plus U.S. retaliation talk and practical impactPlaybook: procurement timing for port equipment, contract/GRI strategy, and communicating risk to your CFOActionable guidance in under 30 minutes—so you can protect margins before the next headline hits.
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26:19
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26:19
Trade Shifts, Rate Slides, and Real Market Signals: The State of Global Shipping This Week
In this week’s Supply Chain Secrets podcast, hosts Caroline Weaver and Lars Jensen unpack the latest developments shaping container shipping and global trade.Lars calls in from Curaçao with an update on freight rates across the Pacific and how carriers’ blank sailings are reshaping capacity as Golden Week slows volumes. He dives into the USTR’s new restrictions on Chinese-owned vessels — and how China’s maritime legislation hints at potential retaliation against U.S. shipping interests.The episode also explores:Why “booked vs. shipped” rates can tell two very different stories — and how indices like NYFI reveal what’s actually moving in the marketHow the IMO’s new charcoal transport regulations aim to prevent vessel firesThe latest on Red Sea security after another Houthi attack on a Dutch multipurpose vessel, and the EU’s ongoing Operation Aspides responsePacked with context, clarity, and real-world insights, this episode breaks down how data, policy, and geopolitics continue to collide across the global supply chain.
The Supply Chain Secrets Podcast cuts through the noise to bring you real, unfiltered insights from the front lines of global logistics. Whether you’re a shipper, NVO, carrier, or just someone who needs to stay ahead of market shifts, we deliver analysis and hard-hitting conversations that actually matter. Visit nyshex.com/podcast to register to attend live!
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