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

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)

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.

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