Is the Shipping Industry Ready for 2025?

16/05/2025 41 min
Is the Shipping Industry Ready for 2025?

Listen "Is the Shipping Industry Ready for 2025?"

Episode Synopsis

In this episode of Freight Debate, host Phil Hennessy welcomes Kim Thornhill, Xeneta Principal Custom Solutions Manager and Team Lead at Xeneta, and Emily Stausbøll, Senior Shipping Analyst at Xeneta. Together, they explore the freight procurement challenges and 2025 tender negotiation tactics that shippers are facing today. Freight procurement and 2025 tender negotiation tactics are evolving rapidly, and this conversation gives a behind-the-scenes look at how shippers are adapting to market volatility, pricing shifts, and global instability.Phil, Kim, and Emily dive into why the 2025 freight procurement season is unlike any other. They discuss how European and American tender strategies are diverging, with rates falling by up to 50% post-tender in some regions. The group explores how shippers are managing extreme volatility by delaying tenders, switching to quarterly contracts, and even turning toward freight rate indexing.Listeners will learn why strategic timing is critical for 2025 tender negotiation tactics and how new trends like shipper consortiums, 4PL partnerships, and indexed freight contracts are reshaping the game. Kim shares insights into the benefits of setting target rates, leveraging best bids, and building strong supplier relationships to ensure resiliency in an unstable market.The episode also addresses external disruptions like the ongoing Red Sea crisis, newly imposed tariffs, port congestion, and shifts in carrier alliances. Emily and Kim explain how smart shippers are baking flexibility into their contracts and adjusting sourcing strategies to avoid getting trapped by sudden rate changes or political shocks.With real-world examples, data-driven insights, and expert predictions, this episode is a must-listen for anyone involved in freight procurement or curious about how supply chains are preparing for 2025 tender negotiation tactics. Whether you're a procurement manager, a logistics professional, or a business leader trying to understand global shipping trends, this episode offers actionable advice to thrive in uncertain times.Tune in to hear Phil Hennessy, Kim Thornhill, and Emily Stausbøll lay out the roadmap for smarter, more resilient freight procurement strategies. By the end of the conversation, you'll have a clear view of why indexing, supplier diversification, and market intelligence are essential tools for navigating the 2025 tender negotiation season.Don't miss this critical breakdown of the future of freight procurement and the tactics that will define 2025 success.