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Episode 1: an introduction to Kuehne+Nagel's Shipping Insights
Tune in to episode 1 to learn more about our podcast, featured guests, and the topics of discussion.
Episode 21: Seafarers at the Helm: Navigating Safety and Challenges in Maritime Shipping
18 September 2024
Seafaring is a critical yet often overlooked part of global logistics, carrying most of world trade. But what does life look like onboard a container vessel, and what risks do seafarers face daily?
Join our latest ‘Shipping Insights’ podcast episode, where host Sara Vollmer sits down with Jeremy Nixon, CEO at Ocean Network Express Co Ltd, to explore the human side of maritime shipping. From the roles and duties of crew members to the increasing presence of female seafarers, Jeremy offers a comprehensive view of life at sea. Sara and Jeremy dive deep into the critical safety protocols, including how to mitigate the risks of hazardous cargo and the unique challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key topics of this episode are:
- The diverse roles and duties of crew members aboard a container vessel
- Managing risks onboard, from piracy and weather to the dangers of hazardous cargo
- The unprecedented challenges faced by seafarers during the Covid-19 pandemic
- Strategies for ensuring the well-being and safety of seafarers in a demanding environment
Tune in to episode #21:
Episode 20: Navigating Drayage Challenges: Adapting to disruptions and finding the best solutions
22 July 2024
Drayage, the truck-based transport of containerised cargo from the port to the final destination or from the origin premises to the loading port, plays a crucial role in the US freight industry. Despite being a landside logistics service, it faces challenges from shipping disruptions, union strikes, and evolving government regulations. How do drayage professionals navigate these changes while meeting customer expectations and finding optimal solutions?
Join our latest ‘Shipping Insights’ podcast episode, where host Sara Vollmer and guest Mason George, President at IMC Companies National Accounts, explore strategies for tackling these constant disruptions.
Key topics of this episode are:
- The impact of the current disruptions, in particular the Red Sea crisis, on the drayage market in the US
- How to handle and discuss the impacts of the constant changes with the customers
- The green legislation happening in the US and how it influences the industry
Tune in to episode #20:
Episode 19: Sea Freight Industry and its Road Ahead: threats and opportunities
26 March 2024
The Sea Freight 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
- How to plan resilient and agile supply chains in current conditions
Tune in to episode #19:
Episode 18: The Convenience of Refrigerated Containers: A delicate privilege
8 February 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
- FRUIT LOGISTICA and its significance in the world of cold chain
Tune in to episode #18:
Episode 17: Supply Chain Planning Tools: shipping in the seas of incessant disruptions
9 January 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
- How to plan shipments when on-time reliability is low
Tune in to episode #17:
Episode 16: Emergency and Relief Logistics: Controlling the uncontrollable
20 November 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
- How we can prepare for geopolitical changes
Tune in into episode #16:
Episode 15: Resilient International Supply Chain – an evolution throughout the pandemic
19 October 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
- The future trends of the International Supply Chain
Tune in into episode #15:
Episode 14: Dried fruit and nuts – a growing global market
5 July 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
- The role of sustainability in the DFN industry
Tune in into episode #14:
Episode 13: Team Malizia, The Ocean Race and ‘A race we must win’
5 June 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
- "A race we must win", Team Malizia’s and Kuehne+Nagel’s joint goal and programmes
- What awaits Team Malizia in 2023
Tune in into episode #13:
Episode 12: Latin American sea freight market
8 May 2023
An underrepresented part of the global waters: 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
- What influences customers’ decisions and how they navigate their supply chains
Here you can listen to our podcast episode #12:
Episode 11: Network expansion and customer focus
4 April 2023
In this episode, host Sara Vollmer and Michael Aldwell, Board Member Sea Logistics at Kuehne+Nagel, talk about the customer focus of the Kuehne+Nagel Sea Logistics Roadmap 2026 and Vision 2030 and how it is being put into practice. They specifically address the expansion of the network of Customer Care Locations (CCLs) and further measures to improve the customer experience.
Key topics of this episode are:
- Growth as a natural driver for a business
- How can growth and a customer-centric set-up and culture be combined?
- How do local, personalised service and a global network play a role in this?
Here you can listen to our podcast episode #11:
Episode 10: The history of container shipping and how an innovation changed the sea freight business
10 February 2023
Do you know what innovation changed the entire sea freight industry from 1965 onwards? In this episode, host Sara Vollmer and Bill Rooney, Vice President Strategic Development at Kuehne+Nagel, talk about Malcom McLean’s famous invention and its effects on the entire world. They take a look back at the beginnings of container shipping and the development of the global sea freight industry. Join them on a journey back in time.
Key topics of this episode are:
- What was the background of Malcom McLeans innovation and how did the first containers look like?
- How has the sea container changed the world and influenced globalisation?
- How did the economic aspects of the sea freight business develop?
Here you can listen to our podcast episode #10:
Episode 9: Safe and sound through unsafe waters – green maritime insurance explained
14 December 2022
In this episode, host Sara Vollmer and Steffen Bergholz, Global Head NACORA International Insurance Brokers Group, talk about how a manta ray school video led to a pioneering collaboration to protect endangered marine life, and explain how maritime insurance provides safety of goods in transit – especially when unexpected things happen.
Key topics of this episode are:
- How the idea of the cooperation with the Marine Megafauna Foundation (MMF) came about and what is supports
- Why insurance is so important in sea freight
- What the principle "General Average" means and how you can protect your cargo from it
Here you can listen to our podcast episode #9:
Episode 8: Working in the sea freight industry – a self reflection
10 November 2022
In this episode, host Sara Vollmer and Marcus Reimann, Regional Sea Logistics Manager for North America at Kuehne+Nagel, talk about what working in the sea freight industry is really like, how it differs from other industries and what you can learn for life in this profession.
Key topics of this episode are:
- How the sea freight specialists coped with the last two challenging years for the industry
- What requirements the industry sets on employees and what qualities one should have in order to succeed in this field of work
- What rewarding experiences working in this industry can provide you with in return
- Future outlook for working in the sea freight industry
Here you can listen to our podcast episode #8:
Episode 7: The voyage to zero – What is the sea freight industry doing to reduce carbon emissions?
16 September 2022
Today, it is possible to transport by sea with carbon neutrality. But how? In this episode, Sara Vollmer and Kai Miller, Trade Manager - Energy and Emissions at Kuehne+Nagel, talk about the alternatives to conventional fuels. From LNG to next-generation biofuels they discuss options for how shippers can reduce their carbon footprint.
Key topics include:
- The regulatory landscape in which the sea freight industry operates
- Kuehne+Nagel’s visibility tool for CO2e emissions
- The different fuel options, e.g. “Brown grease”
- Kuehne+Nagel’s biofuel mass-balance concept and available services
- Progress of renewable technologies for vessels
Here you can listen to our podcast episode #7:
Episode 6: VinLog - powered by Kuehne+Nagel: Our experts for the drinks business
12 July 2022
We have uncorked a new podcast episode. Hosts Sara Vollmer and Horst Mueller, Global Head of VinLog, tell the story of how VinLog got its name and became a full-fledged service. They discuss the latest trends and why the beverage business is a people's business.
Key topics of this episode are:
- Customer behaviours and buying patterns during COVID
- Key global wine markets
- VinLog's shipping solutions: from wine to coconut oil to spirits
Here you can listen to our podcast episode #6:
Episode 5: Sea freight trade insights – Coping with the ongoing uncertainty in container shipping
14 June 2022
In this episode, host Sara Vollmer and Paolo Montrone, Kuehne+Nagel's Global Head of Sea Logistics Trade, talk about the volatility in the sea freight market, the current development and how customers can handle the situation the best possible way.
Key topics of this episode are:
- Transformations in sea freight trades over the last two years
- Importance of partnerships within the sea freight industries
- The path to a sustainable future for container shipping
Here you can listen to our podcast episode #5:
Episode 4: Africa as emerging market – connecting Africa to the world and vice versa
19 April 2022
In this episode, John Costigan, Kuehne+Nagels's Senior Vice President Sea Logistics Middle East & Africa, and host Sara Vollmer talk about the potential of the African continent, the current expansion of Africa, and how, despite all the challenges, we are well into our journey towards entrenching our foothold on the continent to bring unique and comprehensive logistics solutions.
Key topics of this episode are:
- What is special about the African market?
- Kuehne+Nagel's history in logistics in Africa
- Plans for expansion
Here you can listen to our podcast episode #4:
Episode 3: Enhanced sea freight visibility in an unsteady market – Our digital platform 'seaexplorer'
15 March 2022
In this episode, host Sara Vollmer, talks with Kathrin Wolf, Kuehne+Nagel's Sea Logistics Product Manager for seaexplorer, about the innovative digital platform 'seaexplorer'.
Key topics of this episode are:
- What is the seaexplorer platform?
- The data compared in the platform
- Benefits of using seaexplorer
- Future outlook
You can request access to the platform via seaexplorer.com.
Here you can listen to our podcast episode #3:
Episode 2: You don't have to be constrained by the box
07 December 2021
The third episode is about less than container load (LCL) shipments. Host Sara Vollmer, Vice President Sea Logistics Global Customer Engagement & Events, interviews Thomas Boenert, Kuehne+Nagel's Global Head of less than container load (LCL). They speak about actual examples how less than container load (LCL) can bring more flexibility, risk management and sustainability into today’s challenged supply chains.
Key topics of this episode are:
- The current market situation and the role of less than container load (LCL) in it
- Benefits of less than container load (LCL)
- How less than container load (LCL) can help to reduce risks in supply chains
Here you can listen to our podcast episode #2:
