In an industry that thrives on predictability, 2025 is anything but predictable.
From rising port fees to another wave of tariff uncertainty, supply chain leaders are navigating change on every front. While headlines focus on big-picture disruptions, it’s the quieter, behind-the-scenes conversations — the ones happening over coffee, in meeting rooms, and yes, around dinner tables — that reveal where global freight is really heading.
We’ve had hundreds of these conversations with BCOs and logistics leaders across industries. As we get ready to connect with even more peers at Transport Logistic in Munich, here’s a pulse check on what’s keeping shippers up at night — and where they see opportunity.
The pace of rate volatility isn’t slowing. Ocean contracts are layered with GRIs, bunker adjustments, and floating surcharges that shift by the week. Procurement teams are doing their best to stay on top of these updates, but most admit they’re still relying on static spreadsheets — not scalable tech.
The result? Missed savings, internal misalignment, and a growing sense that the rate game has outpaced the tools used to manage it.
Disruption isn’t always loud. BCOs are seeing subtle — but significant — shifts in how carriers are allocating capacity. Blank sailings have returned in pockets, especially on Asia–Europe routes, and reroutings due to Red Sea tensions are driving up transit times and costs.
One logistics director at a European manufacturer put it simply: “We had a stable playbook, but the map keeps changing.” This dynamic is pushing teams to re-evaluate their routing assumptions and mode mixes.
With new U.S. tariffs on Chinese EVs and solar components in motion, and rumors of broader hikes across key categories, global trade policy is once again a wildcard. Many BCOs say they aren’t just reacting to the current tariffs — they’re trying to scenario-plan for what a second wave could look like in Q3 or after the U.S. election.
The uncertainty is creating hesitancy in long-term planning, especially for teams with complex cross-border flows.
There’s no shortage of hype around artificial intelligence. But the BCOs we speak to are clear: they want tools that solve real problems, not abstract promises.
They’re looking for systems that can audit invoices instantly, benchmark rates against the market, flag discrepancies, and streamline day-to-day decision-making. The appetite for smarter tech is real — but it needs to deliver clarity, not complexity.
Most shippers suspect there are inefficiencies in their freight spend. The problem isn’t awareness — it’s visibility. Without a centralized view of all contracted rates, surcharges, and vendor communications, teams are flying blind.
As one global logistics manager put it, “We’re paying more than we should be. But proving it — that’s the hard part.”
What’s striking in all these conversations isn’t just the pain points — it’s the openness. Freight leaders are ready to talk, share, and collaborate. The stakes are high, and there’s a collective desire to get smarter together.
That’s part of why events like Transport Logistic in Munich matter. And it’s why, alongside the expo, we’re hosting a private dinner for a small group of executives — to surface real conversations about what’s working, what’s not, and where the industry is heading next.
Because sometimes, the most valuable seat isn’t at a panel or podium. It’s at the table.