This week on the Loadstar News in Brief, Charlotte Goldstone is joined by Alex Lennane and Gavin van Marle to break down a packed week in global supply chain news.

From cooling container spot rates and firmer air cargo pricing to the latest twists in the US tariff saga, we examine what’s really driving the market right now. The team also discusses growing signals of a return to the Suez Canal, airline M&A activity, and why geopolitical uncertainty continues to loom large over freight decisions.

Plus, the team give insights from the BIFA Freight Service Awards and a look at what’s coming up in the week ahead!

2026 gets off to a chilly start for global supply chains. Europe’s major ports are hit by snow and ice, disrupting terminal operations and road and rail links. Meanwhile, carriers are pressing ahead with fresh terminal investments, and Cosco is quietly expanding its hinterland ambitions.

Gavin van Marle breaks down what’s happening on the ocean side as carriers front-load capacity ahead of Chinese New Year and rates settle after the festive period. Alex Lennane joins with a full airfreight reset, as seasonality returns, capacity shifts sharply and shippers weigh whether softening ocean rates could trigger a modal shift away from air.

We also revisit the CargoWise pricing shake-up as the first invoices land and confusion grows, plus an update on the controversial US mega rail merger and what it could mean for inland transport.
From winter disruption to strategic repositioning, this episode sets the tone for the year ahead in freight.

Join The Loadstar team as they round up the hot topics of 2025 and look forward to what might be coming up in 2026.

They detail what one word and song they would use to summarise this year’s antics, plus their winners and losers of all that has transpired in the last 12 months.

This podcast recaps forwarding woes and wins, carrier ambitions, ship fires, AI, ecommerce, trade shifts and much much more. Plus, each of The Loadstar journalists give their bold prediction on what to look out for next year.

So, sit back and relax as we remind you of all the major events that shaped supply-chains in 2025.