Name: Ethical and sustainable sourcing with automation
Uploaded: May 24, 2024, 11:23 AM EDT
Description: In a space where shippers are already juggling different sourcing activities to manage transportation and procurement spend, ensuring ethical and green sourcing has been an extra layer of struggle for some. Dylan Alperin, vice president of professional services at Keelvar, talks about automation’s potential in that space. TPM24, Long Beach, California Sponsored by Keelvar

In a space where shippers are already juggling different sourcing activities to manage transportation and procurement spend, ensuring ethical and green sourcing has been an extra layer of struggle for some. Dylan Alperin, vice president of professional services at Keelvar, talks about automation’s potential in that space. TPM24, Long Beach, California Sponsored by Keelvar

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>An estimated 30% of Asia–Europe air cargo capacity is routed via the Middle East, and with options through the region severely constrained by the US-Iran war, a rush for Asia–Europe air cargo capacity is pushing up prices. </p></div>

An estimated 30% of Asia–Europe air cargo capacity is routed via the Middle East, and with options through the region severely constrained by the US-Iran war, a rush for Asia–Europe air cargo capacity is pushing up prices.

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Asia-Europe air cargo space tightens as rates, fuel surcharges soar

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>Truck-air solutions are also taking off with rising interest from shippers as the Middle East war removes the popular sea-air services via Jebel Ali in the UAE as a viable option. </p></div>

Truck-air solutions are also taking off with rising interest from shippers as the Middle East war removes the popular sea-air services via Jebel Ali in the UAE as a viable option.

As war rages, multimodal demand surges on Asia-Europe landbridge

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>Tobias Meyer said companies are starting to consider offloading Asia export cargo at ports in the Indian subcontinent for eventual onward shipment into the Gulf region, but it has not yet emerged as a trend.</p></div>

Tobias Meyer said companies are starting to consider offloading Asia export cargo at ports in the Indian subcontinent for eventual onward shipment into the Gulf region, but it has not yet emerged as a trend.

Middle East transshipment options to emerge in the coming days: DHL CEO

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>Stefan Paul said almost 20% of global air freight capacity from the belly hold of passenger aircraft and via freighter aircraft charters has been cut from the market because Middle East airports are closed or flights have been otherwise canceled. </p></div>

Stefan Paul said almost 20% of global air freight capacity from the belly hold of passenger aircraft and via freighter aircraft charters has been cut from the market because Middle East airports are closed or flights have been otherwise canceled.

Air freight backlog set to gridlock Asia airports amid Middle East conflict: K+N CEO

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>The US has established a maritime warning zone, effectively placing the region out of bounds to shipping, while airlines have suspended passenger and freighter flights across the Middle East.</p></div>

The US has established a maritime warning zone, effectively placing the region out of bounds to shipping, while airlines have suspended passenger and freighter flights across the Middle East.

Shipping avoids Middle East region after US, Israel begin strikes on Iran

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>The UP-NS merger and ONE's Seaspan stake look like separate deals in separate industries, but they are the same move, writes Paul Tonsager. </p></div>

The UP-NS merger and ONE's Seaspan stake look like separate deals in separate industries, but they are the same move, writes Paul Tonsager.

Rail and ocean carriers consolidating shipping infrastructure: analyst

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>While the logistical hurdles of sending cargo to the region are more of an inconvenience at this point for US exporters rather than a full-blown crisis, shippers see a bigger risk in the war’s longevity and the downstream effect of higher oil prices.</p></div>

While the logistical hurdles of sending cargo to the region are more of an inconvenience at this point for US exporters rather than a full-blown crisis, shippers see a bigger risk in the war’s longevity and the downstream effect of higher oil prices.

US exports to Middle East in limbo amid war zone service disruptions

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>Container shipping has come a long way in mastering the art of blank sailings, redeployments, slow steaming and other forms of proactive capacity management, mitigating the impact of much-discussed overcapacity, attendees at TPM26 were told. </p></div>

Container shipping has come a long way in mastering the art of blank sailings, redeployments, slow steaming and other forms of proactive capacity management, mitigating the impact of much-discussed overcapacity, attendees at TPM26 were told.

Ocean carriers employ effective capacity management despite market volatility

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>The weakness has continued into 2026, with Taiwan’s biggest carrier reporting that combined revenue of $1.9 billion for January and February was down 23% from the same period last year.</p></div>

The weakness has continued into 2026, with Taiwan’s biggest carrier reporting that combined revenue of $1.9 billion for January and February was down 23% from the same period last year.

Evergreen’s 2025 profits nearly halved on sharp freight rate declines 

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>The agency in charge of enforcing US shipping law reminded the market that any change in ocean tariffs must come with a 30-day notice period prior to implementation so it can be reviewed.</p></div>

The agency in charge of enforcing US shipping law reminded the market that any change in ocean tariffs must come with a 30-day notice period prior to implementation so it can be reviewed.

FMC says ‘closely monitoring’ carrier rate moves tied to Middle East war

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>A proposed universal tax on foreign-built ships would strain trade relations, raise the cost of doing business and stoke inflation, writes Reason Foundation policy analyst Jay Derr. </p></div>

A proposed universal tax on foreign-built ships would strain trade relations, raise the cost of doing business and stoke inflation, writes Reason Foundation policy analyst Jay Derr.

Reform HMT rather than taxing shipping more: analyst

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>Under the US Customs and Border Protection’s proposal, shippers will not have to sue the administration for refunds of the IEEPA tariffs and will receive the monies owed as a single payment.</p></div>

Under the US Customs and Border Protection’s proposal, shippers will not have to sue the administration for refunds of the IEEPA tariffs and will receive the monies owed as a single payment.

CBP lays out initial tariff refund plan that requires ‘minimal’ work from importers

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>Data generated within logistics software vendors is part of a web of information that helps shippers weigh service levels and inventory carrying costs against rate levels. </p></div>

Data generated within logistics software vendors is part of a web of information that helps shippers weigh service levels and inventory carrying costs against rate levels.

Tech vendors ready themselves to help importers wage cost reduction war

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>The push to launch futures contracts for container shipping has gained momentum in recent years given the seemingly never-ending volatility and disruption in the market.</p></div>

The push to launch futures contracts for container shipping has gained momentum in recent years given the seemingly never-ending volatility and disruption in the market.

Intercontinental Exchange to launch container freight futures in April

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>Long-sought regulatory reforms within the Canadian trucking industry could tighten capacity and cause cross-border rates to rise.  </p></div>

Long-sought regulatory reforms within the Canadian trucking industry could tighten capacity and cause cross-border rates to rise.

Canada’s ‘Driver Inc.’ crackdown could push trucking rates higher

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>The average price for a gallon of diesel fuel rose 96 cents for the week ending March 9, according to the Energy Information Administration, the biggest seven-day spike since the agency began releasing the data in 1994. </p></div>

The average price for a gallon of diesel fuel rose 96 cents for the week ending March 9, according to the Energy Information Administration, the biggest seven-day spike since the agency began releasing the data in 1994.

Elevated US trucking rates get new boost from diesel gains amid Middle East war 

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>While the White House has signaled support and Republicans hold a majority on the US Surface Transportation Board, opposition has surfaced that has many believing the $85 billion merger is not necessarily a done deal.  </p></div>

While the White House has signaled support and Republicans hold a majority on the US Surface Transportation Board, opposition has surfaced that has many believing the $85 billion merger is not necessarily a done deal.

Industry stakeholders don’t see regulators rubber-stamping UP-NS deal

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>Ocean carriers are investing in their own terminals as new lease terms and rising costs in New York and New Jersey incentivize them to move cargo away from state-run facilities, potentially changing port service and schedules.</p></div>

Ocean carriers are investing in their own terminals as new lease terms and rising costs in New York and New Jersey incentivize them to move cargo away from state-run facilities, potentially changing port service and schedules.

<div class="phx-topic"><p>US ports are undergoing significant changes as ocean carriers invest heavily in marine terminals, while landlord port authorities like New York and New Jersey impose new lease terms and shift maintenance costs to terminal operators. Rising berth and labor costs are incentivizing ocean carriers to prioritize their own terminals, potentially disadvantaging state-run port authorities and altering service and scheduling dynamics.</p><p></p><div class="wrapper-narrow"><dynamic-object type="brightcove" resource-id="6390803641112"></dynamic-object></div></div>

US ports are undergoing significant changes as ocean carriers invest heavily in marine terminals, while landlord port authorities like New York and New Jersey impose new lease terms and shift maintenance costs to terminal operators. Rising berth and labor costs are incentivizing ocean carriers to prioritize their own terminals, potentially disadvantaging state-run port authorities and altering service and scheduling dynamics.

US port shifts favor ocean carrier terminals amid rising costs

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>Valentina Jordan, CEO of software provider Nauta, joins TPM Today to explain why data and infrastructure are more important to logistics technology buyers than digital workers.</p></div>

Valentina Jordan, CEO of software provider Nauta, joins TPM Today to explain why data and infrastructure are more important to logistics technology buyers than digital workers.

<div class="phx-topic"><p>Everyone wants a "digital worker." VCs are pouring billions into the AI gold rush. The industry is obsessed with the shiny new tool, but the real value lies in the work nobody wants to talk about: the boring, grueling, unsexy work of fixing the data underneath.</p><p>Join Eric Johnson sits down with Valentina Jordan (CEO, Nauta) to discuss why logistics tech buyers need to stop chasing agents and start fixing their foundation.</p><p>• Why the “Gold Rush” funding model is pushing products that shippers aren’t ready for.</p><p>• Why data infrastructure—not digital workers—is the actual key to automation.</p><p>• Where shippers go wrong when evaluating supply chain tech in a hyped-up market.</p><p>This episode was streamed live on February 16, 2026 on <a href="https://letstalksupplychain.com/tpm-today/">TPM Today</a>.</p><p></p><div class="wrapper-full"><dynamic-object type="youtube" resource-id="UAwQIZNUopE"></dynamic-object></div></div>

Everyone wants a "digital worker." VCs are pouring billions into the AI gold rush. The industry is obsessed with the shiny new tool, but the real value lies in the work nobody wants to talk about: the boring, grueling, unsexy work of fixing the data underneath. Join Eric Johnson sits down with Valentina Jordan (CEO, Nauta) to discuss why logistics tech buyers need to stop chasing agents and start fixing their foundation. • Why the “Gold Rush” funding model is pushing products that shippers aren’t ready for. • Why data infrastructure—not digital workers—is the actual key to automation. • Where shippers go wrong when evaluating supply chain tech in a hyped-up market. This episode was streamed live on February 16, 2026 on TPM Today .

TPM TODAY | Why the AI agent companies in logistics have it wrong

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>Technology has promised much over the past 20 years, but it hasn’t really changed the core functions of most logistics practitioners.  The era of AI is undoubtedly upon us, and with it, the potential to change how cargo movement is managed.</p></div>

Technology has promised much over the past 20 years, but it hasn’t really changed the core functions of most logistics practitioners. The era of AI is undoubtedly upon us, and with it, the potential to change how cargo movement is managed.

<div class="phx-topic"><p>Technology has promised much over the past 20 years, but it hasn’t really changed the core functions of most logistics practitioners, whether it’s cargo owners managing transportation, or 3PLs assisting those cargo owners. But the era of AI is undoubtedly upon us, and with it, the potential to change not just the ease with which cargo movement is managed, but how it’s managed.</p><p></p><div class="wrapper-narrow"><dynamic-object type="brightcove" resource-id="6388681988112"></dynamic-object></div></div>

Technology has promised much over the past 20 years, but it hasn’t really changed the core functions of most logistics practitioners, whether it’s cargo owners managing transportation, or 3PLs assisting those cargo owners. But the era of AI is undoubtedly upon us, and with it, the potential to change not just the ease with which cargo movement is managed, but how it’s managed.

Logistics world awaiting true disruption

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Video

<div class="phx-topic abstract-wrapper"><p>Dylan Alperin, vice president of professional services at Keelvar, talks about automation’s potential in the transportation and procurement space.</p></div>

Dylan Alperin, vice president of professional services at Keelvar, talks about automation’s potential in the transportation and procurement space.

<div class="phx-topic"><p>In a space where shippers are already juggling different sourcing activities to manage transportation and procurement spend, ensuring ethical and green sourcing has been an extra layer of struggle for some. Dylan Alperin, vice president of professional services at Keelvar, talks about automation’s potential in that space.</p><p><i>TPM24, Long Beach, California</i></p><p><b>Sponsored by Keelvar</b></p><div class="wrapper-full"><dynamic-object type="brightcove" resource-id="6353594280112"></dynamic-object></div></div>

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