News in Brief Podcast | Week 25 2026 | Surcharges and software outage
This week on News in Brief, host Charlotte Goldstone is joined by The Loadstar‘s managing editor, ...
This week’s News in Brief takes stock of a fragile pause in Middle East tensions, as the US-Iran ceasefire enters its second week. But while the Strait of Hormuz is open, uncertainty still hangs over global supply chains – and the impact on both ocean and air freight is far from resolved.
Charlotte Goldstone is joined by Drewry’s director of supply chain advisory, Chantal McRoberts, to break down the latest on container shipping, including scenario planning for how long the conflict could last, and what that means for capacity, rates and contract negotiations.
The Loadstar‘s Alex Lennane brings the airfreight update, with markets showing signs of stabilisation rather than recovery. Capacity is returning in some regions, but fuel costs, disruption and uneven demand are keeping rates elevated and unpredictable.
Also in this episode: what China’s revised Maritime Code could mean for international shipping contracts, and a long-awaited step forward in the US tariff refund process – though key questions remain.
From geopolitics to pricing pressure, this episode unpacks a market still navigating uncertainty – even as tensions temporarily ease.
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