A Jittery Market, A Clear Signal: Lower Rates Ahead?
Rates are up, down, and sideways depending on origin, equipment, and trade lane — but beneath the noise, a clear forward signal is emerging: 2026 contract levels look set to decline. Lars and Caroline walk through the extreme pricing divergence across Asia and why the Trans-Pacific feels like multiple markets stitched together.Here’s what we break down this week:The $25 drop vs. $700 jump in 20-foot rates depending on originWhy the Trans-Pacific is splitting into multiple micro-marketsSouth America’s sharp rate collapse and what it signalsThe Red Sea reopening wildcard and the contract risks shippers are missingThe tariff updates that matter — and the ones that don’tWhy Hapag-Lloyd gained volume without giving up rateWhat carrier Q3 results reveal about next year’s landscapeFor shippers and NVOs planning 2026, this episode delivers the clearest read yet on where the market is headed.
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27:22
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27:22
Volatility Is Back — And So Are the Pirates
Rates are dropping, pirates are reappearing, and demand is diverging across the globe. In this episode, Lars Jensen and Caroline Weaver unpack what last week’s NYSHEX London event revealed about market volatility — and why the container industry’s “old normal” isn’t coming back.They cover:Sir Richard Dearlove’s surprising optimism on the Red Sea crisisWhy NYFI data shows loaded spot rates collapsing againThe widening gap between 20’ and 40’ ratesWhat’s behind North America’s lagging demandAnd yes — the return of Somali piracy.Because in container shipping, stability isn’t the new normal — adaptability is.
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20:30
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20:30
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.
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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