UP OR DOWN? IN OR OUT?
Big global forwarders: DOWN Mega global forwarders will lose ocean freight market share to smaller and mid-sized freight forwarders due to market shifts favoring flexibility and customer-specific solutions. Smaller players can oer more adaptable, niche services, catering to specialized needs such as unique commodity handling, specialized shipping services, and expedited handling. Furthermore, advancements in digital freight forwarding applications and real-time tracking enable these companies to compete without the overhead of the global mega forwarders. –Jerey Plumley, President, ASF Liquid Logistics
Continued focus on nearshoring/ onshoring Decentralized team transformations and outsourcing Capacity building
in the United States and EU
– MICHELLE PETERS , CEO, Supplino
Renewable energy: UP Despite all the chatter around economic challenges, renewable energy in supply chains will have a banner year. Expect record- breaking adoption as companies double down on emissions reduction eorts. – MATT MUENSTER , Chief Economist, Breakthrough
Geopolitical pressures: ESCALATING The evolving dynamics of the U.S.-China trade war and other geopolitical tensions threaten to disrupt newly established sourcing patterns, requiring businesses to adapt. –Sébastien Breateu, Founder and CEO, QIMA
IN: deep relationships with a few providers OUT: relying on a wide carrier base Shippers will continue to establish deeper relationships with strategic providers instead of leveraging a wider carrier base.
Global disruption: UP Overall, the global supply chain will experience increased disruption due to more severe weather events, armed conflict, and labor disputes. Additional targeted taris will shift some sourcing away from China toward next-tier low- cost areas, putting a strain on their transportation and port infrastructure. – CHRIS BEAR , President, sensified.io
– JARED WEISFELD , Chief Strategy O cer, RXO
BUT WATCH OUT Shippers that reduce their carrier and broker base in order to leverage volume with the ones they want to keep will regret it. Cutting too many supplier contracts might leave them short as the market tightens. –Chad Kennedy, Senior Manager, iQ Product, Benchmark Analytics, DAT Freight & Analytics
January 2025 • Inbound Logistics 93
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