The Freight Debate

What's Really Happening in the Red Sea

What’s really happening in the Red Sea, and how should shippers plan for what comes next? In this episode of The Freight Debate, Phil Hennessy and Emily Stausbøll unpack the growing gap between carrier messaging and market reality when it comes to a potential return to the Suez Canal. While headlines hint at progress, the data tells a more cautious story, with container ship transits still trending down and no fixed timelines in place. They break down how carriers are quietly testing routes, what a gradual return through Suez actually means for capacity, and why unlocking supply is far slower than many expect. The discussion also dives into carrier tactics as demand weakens, capacity keeps rising, and market share increasingly takes priority over rate discipline. Looking ahead to 2026, Phil and Emily explore what this means for tender strategies, Red Sea surcharges, and contract flexibility, plus a seasonal case study on Christmas lights that reveals how tariffs can rapidly reshape global trade flows. Whether you are navigating tender season, tracking carrier behavior, or planning for shifting trade patterns next year, this episode provides clear, data-backed insight into the forces shaping container shipping right now. Subscribe for new episodes covering the latest freight trends, market updates, and insider insights.

'Caught in the Middle' — Mads Drejer on Indexing

In this episode of The Freight Debate, Rajesh Bhol, Principal Product Manager - Indexing at Xeneta, sits down with Mads Drejer, Global COO & CCO at Scan Global Logistics, to unpack one of the biggest shifts reshaping forwarding today: the rise of index-linked contracts. As post-COVID volatility shattered the reliability of traditional 12-month RFQs, forwarders now find themselves caught between shippers demanding transparency and carriers pushing for predictability — with both sides expecting more than ever. Mads takes us inside this commercial squeeze and explains why indexing has surfaced as one of the few credible ways to restore stability. He contrasts the pressures on the buying and selling sides, revealing how indexing reduces rate firefighting, builds trust, and pushes forwarders to prove value through service rather than arbitrage. Throughout the conversation, Mads breaks down what makes an index truly usable: representative long-term data, sensible floors and ceilings, system compatibility, and rules simple enough that both shipper and carrier can “believe the math.” He also outlines a clear definition of success — longer, calmer contracts with no mid-term renegotiations — and shares a pragmatic vision of how indexing will evolve alongside RFQs rather than replace them. A sharp, timely episode for any forwarder, shipper, or procurement leader rethinking freight contracting in 2026 and beyond.

Why Freight Rates Are Rising Even When Demand Is Falling

Phil Hennessy and Emily Stausbøll take a close look at the latest developments affecting global shipping routes and what they could mean for carriers planning for 2026. With new signals emerging around route stability, they explore how carriers and insurers evaluate operational confidence and what a large-scale return to shorter transit paths could mean for vessel scheduling and port flow. They break down how a sudden shift in routing could create short-term congestion, how service patterns may need to adjust, and why carriers are cautious about making major changes without long-term clarity. They also examine the financial backdrop, including recent carrier results, ongoing overcapacity, and the growing pressure created by weaker backhaul rates and widening trade imbalances. Whether you are watching tender season unfold, tracking schedule-reliability strategies, or evaluating cost pressures for the year ahead, this episode offers a clear view of the factors shaping the container market right now. 🔔 Love the podcast? Don’t forget to subscribe and rate us! 📧 Want to work with us? Learn more at xeneta.com [http://xeneta.com]

Balancing Speed, Safety, and Spend in Global Gas Supply Chains

When Plan A fails, what separates reactive companies from resilient ones? In this episode of The Freight Debate, host Phil Hennessy talks with Martha Christina, procurement leader at Linde, about how procurement teams keep global supply chains moving through volatility, regulation shifts, and rising freight costs. Martha shares how her team balances speed, safety, and spend in high-stakes gas supply chains from localizing suppliers and cutting carbon impact to finding the right “Plan D” when every other option collapses. It’s a rare look inside the mindset of procurement under pressure and the discipline it takes to stay calm when the world turns chaotic.  🔔 Love the podcast? Don’t forget to subscribe and rate us! 📧 Want to work with us? Learn more at xeneta.com [http://xeneta.com]

Beyond Rates: How Xeneta + eeSea Are Redefining Freight Intelligence

Shippers and forwarders are demanding more than price, they want proof of performance. Fabio Brocca sits down with Simon Sundboell to unpack Xeneta’s acquisition of eeSea and what it means for how the industry measures reliability. They trace eeSea’s origins as the “Google Maps of container shipping,” explore how schedule data and freight rates now work together inside Xeneta’s platform, and reveal why true transparency could finally change the way shippers buy and sell freight. From forecasting accuracy and blank sailings to the rise of index-linked contracts, they outline how cost, performance, and service quality are converging into one decision framework. Whether you’re evaluating carriers, managing tenders, or building your 2026 strategy, this conversation shows where the next wave of freight intelligence is headed. 🔔 Love the podcast? Don’t forget to subscribe and rate us! 📰 Respond effectively to market volatility: https://www.xeneta.com/blog/beyond-freight-rate-benchmarking-building-resilient-supply-chains-with-xeneta  🚢 Learn more about what eeSea can do → https://app.eesea.com/  📧 Want to work with us? Learn more at xeneta.com