Episodes

  • Sea Freight Industry and its Road Ahead

    Sea Freight Industry and its Road Ahead
    Mar 26 2024
    The #SeaFreight industry has faced numerous disruptions in recent years. These disruptions have not only transformed the industry itself but also had a global impact. How can shippers proactively prepare their supply chains to mitigate the effects of such incidents on their businesses? In this “Shipping Insights” podcast episode, our host, Sara Vollmer, and her guest, Michael Aldwell, Board Member of Sea Logistics, explore the repercussions of these recent disruptions. They delve into both the challenges and opportunities arising from these forced transitions. Key topics of this episode are: The path ahead for the sea freight industry and for Kuehne+Nagel, how the delicacy of supply chains became visible due to the disruptions and how to plan resilient and agile supply chains in current conditions. Recorded in March 2024. Details: (01:28) Michael talks about what the sea freight industry means to him and briefly describes his role at Kuehne+Nagel. (02:41) Sara and Michael discuss how Kuehne+Nagel has always evolved with time, sharing what they see in the road ahead for Kuehne+Nagel and the industry. (05:03) Sara asks Michael about the disruptions and their impact, and he responds by sharing his perspective on the delicate system of the supply chains and how this delicacy has become more visible to us in the past few years due to the disruptions. (07:43) Sara brings up nearshoring, and they discuss how companies with a single sourcing strategy might experience such changes in their supply chains. Michael points out the advantages of such changes and their benefactors. (10:14) Michael talks about the big decisions companies must make and how they can ensure a more agile and resilient supply chain. (11:33) Sara and Michael discuss TPM 2024, and Michael shares his expectations and mentions what TPM means to Kuehne+Nagel. (13:07) Michael shares his advice for shippers and points out the importance of having agile, resilient supply chains.
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    15 mins
  • The Convenience of Refrigerated Containers

    The Convenience of Refrigerated Containers
    Feb 8 2024
    Nowadays, we are used to the convenience of buying our favourite fresh products from the local supermarket all year round. But how do these products reach us when the shipping world deals with disruptions? In this episode, our host, Sara Vollmer, and her guest Marc Meseguer, Regional Sea Logistics Reefer Manager, talk about Reefer Logistics and the journey of temperature-sensitive cargo to consumers in times of regular disruptions. They also discuss FRUIT LOGISTICA, the world's most important trade fair for the fresh produce industry, and its significance in the world of cold chain. Key topics of this episode are: What Reefer Logistics is and its impacts on our world, how disruptions can drastically impact the temperature-sensitive cargo’s supply chain and FRUIT LOGISTICA and its significance in the world of cold chain. Recorded in February 2024. Details: (01:40) Sara and Marc discuss what Reefer Logistics is. (02:39) Marc talks about the popular time for fruit and vegetable transportation in the northern and southern hemispheres. (04:10) Sara asks Marc about what is happening right now (early February 2024) in the world of Reefer Logistics. (05:08) They discuss the privilege of having access to various fresh products all year round and where they come from. (06:22) Sara asks Marc what the downside to this privilege is.
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    21 mins
  • Supply Chain Planning Tools

    Supply Chain Planning Tools
    Jan 9 2024
    In a market with approximately 60% global on-time schedule reliability, guaranteeing exact delivery dates has become a challenge—especially with the added complexities of current geo-political situations affecting supply chains. How can shippers successfully manage their supply chains in this unpredictable terrain? In this episode, our host Sara Vollmer and her guest Allison Macdonald, Global Key Account Manager Corporate Partner Consumer, discuss today's unpredictable shipping world and how to navigate its rough waters using the available digital tools. They particularly talk about seaexplorer and how it can be used to make better-informed decisions. Key topics of this episode are: Shippers' concerns in a world where disruptions have become a norm, seaexplorer and the valuable data it offers and how to plan shipments when on-time reliability is low. Recorded in January 2024. Link to seaexplorer: seaexplorer.com Link to SeaNews: mykn.kuehne-nagel.com/news Details: (02:25) Sara and Allison discuss customers' concerns in an ever-changing world. Allison points out customers' need for a platform with reliable information that enables them to plan better for tomorrow. (04:44) They discuss the challenges of shipping in a world with a 60% global on-time reliability. Allison then discusses seaexplorer and its benefits by sharing her memories of when she first introduced seaexplorer to the customers. (10:02) Sara asks Allison how to discuss carriers' unreliable delivery schedules with customers even though their contracts state certain delivery times. (12:54) Allison gives her advice to shippers who are interested in the podcast's topic. (13:49) Allison talks about SeaNews as a valuable source of information for her. (16:17) The episode ends with Allison’s advice on what to take away from the podcast.
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    18 mins
  • Emergency and Relief Logistics

    Emergency and Relief Logistics
    Dec 17 2023
    When a disaster strikes, relief logistics entities support charitable organisations in delivering aid and emergency items to the impacted areas. In this episode, our host Sara Vollmer and her guest Cormac O'Sullivan, Global Head of Emergency and Relief Logistics, discuss how Emergency and Relief Logistics experts at Kuehne+Nagel develop strategies to deliver emergency aid when most of the established logistics infrastructure is destroyed. They also talk about the potential paths of entering this sector. Key topics of this episode are: What emergency and relief is, how emergency and relief experts prepare before and act after a disaster, how to join this community or change from other fields of logistics to relief logistics and how we can prepare for geopolitical changes. Recorded in November 2023. Details: (2:08) Cormac talks about Emergency and Relief Logistics, its history, different sectors and community. (06:16) Cormac explains how the emergency and relief global community can predict which areas are more likely to be hit by disasters, which allows them to adopt pre-positioning strategies in various areas of the world. (10:05) Cormac then explains how Kuehne+Nagel works in these situations by giving some examples. 13:19) He shares how he joined the emergency and relief field to help those who would like to join this field as well. (17:22) He gives his advice on how to join the Emergency and Relief Logistics. (20:30) Sara and Cormac conclude this episode by suggesting that we are already in a decade of action, and Cormac emphasises the importance of the expertise of logisticians in keeping our world moving.
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    25 mins
  • Resilient International Supply Chain

    Resilient International Supply Chain
    Dec 17 2023
    In this episode, host Sara Vollmer and her guest Yutaka Matsuyoshi, Global Head of Sea Logistics International Supply Chain at Kuehne+Nagel, talk about the current trends of International Supply Chains and the lessons learnt throughout the experience of a global pandemic. They specifically address the importance of not only leveraging advanced digital tools but also making sense of the data supplied for optimum transparency. Key topics of this episode are: The connection between International Supply Chain and Order Management, how strategies and supply chains have changed throughout the pandemic, post-pandemic measures seen by customers, the available platforms and tools and their technological improvements, as well as the future trends of the International Supply Chain. Recorded in October 2023. Details: (03:08) Sara and Yutaka discuss the connection between International Supply Chain and Order Management. (04:57) Yutaka talks about the changes in the strategies and supply chains throughout the pandemic years compared to those of the post-pandemic years. (08:00) The post-pandemic measures taken by customers are compared to their pre-pandemic actions. (10:54) Yutaka shares his thoughts about the available platforms and tools, how they have been improved and the areas where they need more improvements. (14:25) He then is asked how to deal with the issues that customers face when using these platforms and how to make the best decisions. (18:47) Yutaka shares his predictions for the future of the International Supply Chain in the upcoming years.
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    21 mins
  • Dried fruit and nuts

    Dried fruit and nuts
    Dec 17 2023
    In this episode, host Sara Vollmer and her guest Knud Meyer, Global Sea Logistics Development Manager Dried Fruit & Nuts at Kuehne+Nagel, talk about the growing global dried fruit and nuts (DFN) market. Sara and Knud discuss the specific products, the trade lanes and the challenges in the DFN segment. Key topics of this episode are: The products that fall into the DFN category and their market size, the main import and export regions and the global trade lanes, the challenges that exist in the supply chain of DFN, and the role of sustainability in the DFN industry. Recorded in July 2023. Details: (02:58) Knud introduces the dried fruit, nuts and seeds (DFN) industry, its subcategories, and their production volume. (04:57) Sara and Knud discuss the factors that are driving growth in this industry. (07:14) Knud goes over the main import and export regions and global trade lanes of DFN products. (09:35) Knud talks about the challenges that exist in the supply chain of DFN. (12:19) He discusses the sustainability of DFN and the changes that are being made. (14:05) Knud mentions that the current trends in DFN could be because of health and economic changes. (15:32) Knud shares his thoughts on the future opportunities within DFM and where more growth might come.
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    18 mins
  • Team Malizia and The Ocean Race

    Team Malizia and The Ocean Race
    Dec 17 2023
    In this episode, host Sara Vollmer talks to her guest Boris Herrmann, a world-class skipper from Team Malizia, about the race we all are in against climate change and time. They also discuss The Ocean Race, one of the toughest professional sporting events in the world, and Team Malizia’s upcoming plans. Team Malizia's and Kuehne+Nagel's partnership aims to create a more sustainable future by sailing and raising awareness for ocean health. Key topics of this episode are: Team Malizia’s experience at The Ocean Race, global warming and clear warning signs for those in regular contact with the oceans, and "A race we must win", Team Malizia’s and Kuehne+Nagel’s joint goal and programmes. Recorded in June 2023. Details: (02:50) Sara and Boris talk about what the Ocean Race is, Team Malizia’s experience at the Ocean Race, and some of the incidents that happened to the competing boats. (04:33) Boris discusses global warming and its clear warning signs for those in regular contact with the oceans. (06:05) Boris shares his experience with the seaweeds in the oceans and how the boat goes through them without getting damaged. (07:10) Sara and Boris discuss "A race we must win" and Team Malizia and Kuehne+Nagel’s joint goals and programmes. (08:34) Boris expands on Team Malizia's educational plans, its target group and what they do. (11:20) Boris shares what awaits Team Malizia in the Ocean Race, how the team prepares for what is coming, and what happens next. (15:45) Sara and Boris discuss the impact of the pandemic on the last Vendée Globe. (16:31) The story of Greta Thunberg and Team Malizia is brought up by Sara.
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    20 mins
  • Latin American sea freight market

    Latin American sea freight market
    Dec 17 2023
    In this episode, host Sara Vollmer and her guest Matthias Blan, Senior VP Sea Logistics South and Central America at Kuehne+Nagel, talk about the Latin American sea freight market. Sara and Matthias explore the features and challenges of this unique market on a global scale and discuss the customer needs and characteristics of the region. Key topics of this episode are: The significance of the Latin American market in the global scheme of trade, the main import and export commodities of the region, the impact of currency fluctuation and inflation on the Latin American trade scene and what influences customers’ decisions and how they navigate their supply chains. Recorded in May 2023. Details: (02:14) Matthias talks about the significance of the Latin American market in the global scheme of trade. (03:40) Matthias explains why the Latin American (LATAM) region has a certain reputation. (05:25) Sara and Matthias discuss the main import and export commodities of the region. (08:32) Matthias discusses the impact of currency fluctuations and inflation on the Latin American trade scene, and how Kuehne+Nagel can help customers overcome these challenges. (10:50) Matthias mentions the high level of service expected in the LATAM region, and how Kuehne+Nagel plans to combine a traditional approach with a modern digital standard. (12:47) Matthias explains what 'Great Place to Work' is and its importance to Kuehne+Nagel. (16:29) Matthias shares his predictions for the future of Kuehne+Nagel in the LATAM region.
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    19 mins