The constant challenges and changes shippers continue to face in today’s logistics environment can make them feel as though they are living in a never-ending soap opera. In the midst of this volatility, three industry leaders, Josh Finch, Logistics Risk Manager at TT Club; Jonathan Gold, Vice President of Supply Chain and Customs Policy at the National Retail Federation; and Trey Boring, President of IMS Worldwide, share practical guidance on how to shippers can make sense of

96. This month our resident advice columnist answers questions about if shippers will receive a tariff refund and what importers should expect from this year’s contract season.

February 24 , 2026 Dear Valued Customer, The 15% global tariff the Trump Administration has said it would invoke, today, under Section 122 will actually begin at 10%. ​ However, White House officials have said the administration will raise the global tariff rate to 15% under a new executive order sometime in the near future. No date has been given as to when that will occur. ​ The Trump Administration is using Section 122 to invoke this global tariff, which is replacing all t

February 13, 2026 Dear Valued Customer: ​ The United States has signed a trade agreement with Taiwan. As part of the agreement, the United States has agreed to reduce its reciprocal tariff rate on Taiwanese goods from 20% to 15%. ​ In addition, Taiwan has committed to purchase more than $84 billion of goods from the United States, remove or reduce 99% of tariff barriers on U.S. goods, and provide preferential market access for U.S. industrial and agricultural exports. ​ The t

95. This month our resident advice columnist answers questions about what to expect at this year’s TPM Conference and why operations matter when deciding on which forwarder to use.

Americans are expected to receive average tax refunds of $1,000 or more this year, due to larger tax refunds from the “Big Beautiful Bill.” These refunds could lead to increased consumer spending, which could quickly translate into high trade volumes, low vessel space, and significant port congestion during peak season.

September 28th, 2025 The Trump administration has announced that beginning on October 1, 2025, it will start assessing the following tariffs:​ 100% on pharmaceuticals 50% tariff on kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities 30% on upholstered furniture and 25% tariff on heavy trucks ​ ​ The administration also clarified that that tariff on pharmaceuticals will not apply to generic drugs or pharmaceutical companies that are either breaking ground or in the process of constructing

Two industry leaders, Chad Burke of the Economic Alliance Houston Port Region and Tamekia Flack, Director of U.S. Government Relations for the World Shipping Council, shared exclusive insights with OEC Group on how organizations can better navigate today’s challenges.

The nomination of Kevin Warsh to lead the Federal Reserve raises the possibility of lower U.S. interest rates, which could influence global trade dynamics, both positively and negatively.

The Trump administration’s recent tariff threats have caused concern among shippers. However, there may be a strategy that will allow shippers to be better equipped to navigate the volatile market.

93. This month our resident advice columnist answers questions about how carriers prepare for spikes in demand and how blank sailings affect rates.

Increased geopolitical tensions, fluctuating freight rates predominantly driven by vessel deliveries, and tariffs have led many industry leaders to predict that 2026 could be a highly volatile year. However, two carrier presidents, ONE’s Takashi Masuda and ZIM’s Nissim Yochai, believe there are ways to respond. Each sat down with OEC Group to share the strategies they are using to remain competitive in an uncertain market. In an exclusive interview with OEC Group, ONE Preside

ZIM Integrated Shipping Services, the Israeli-based container carrier, is weighing acquisition bids after the company’s board rejected a buyout offer from CEO Eli Glickman. The carrier’s board confirmed that it is evaluating multiple acquisition proposals, including unconfirmed interest from global shipping giants such as Hapag-Lloyd, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), and Maersk. While this may sound like just another “run-of-the-mill” corporate merger story, rest assured

This year’s Houston International Maritime Conference (HIMC) welcomed speakers from all over the logistics industry. Some of the topics discussed at the conference include the future of the Port of Houston, Global Waterways, Intermodal Interconnectivity, and, of course, tariffs. One of the most talked about speakers was Captain Richard Phillips, who was the real-life inspiration behind the movie Captain Phillips (played by Tom Hanks). Click here   to hear his story. CAPTAIN

89. This month our resident advice columnist answers questions about how shippers can make sure they are compliant with the English Proficiency Language (EPL) requirement and how much congestion we could see at European and Mediterranean ports.

Thousands of truck drivers could soon lose their Commercial Driver’s Licenses (CDL) as the U.S. Department Of Transportation enforces English Proficiency Language (EPL) rules – creating a ripple effect across the supply chain. Under this long-standing law, any driver who cannot sufficiently read or speak English will be put Out Of Service (OOS) on the spot – typically during a routine inspection or at a weigh station – and potentially lose their CDL license if they are unable

While 2025 began with anxieties about the impact of new carrier alliances and continued Red Sea diversions, most of this year’s concerns focused on the Trump Administration imposing global reciprocal tariffs and the supply chain uncertainties that emerged from that policy. Many industry leaders believe that this year’s tariff related issues will continue well into the next year, making long-term planning extremely difficult and complex. Additionally, experts are also predicti

88. Tariffs are placing trucking companies in a difficult position as the Trump Administration’s sweeping tariff reforms continue to affect the cost structures and operational dynamics of freight transportation across the United States. Click here to learn how this may affect your business.

88. This month our resident advice columnist answers questions about what issues shippers should prepare for in 2026 and how to prepare when the Red Sea diversions may end.

Read about what Peter Hsieh has to say about the Trump Administration’s tariffs.