Logistics professionals came to this year’s Virginia Maritime Conference to learn more about the many challenges facing the industry. Among the more than 20 panels, three stood out for addressing some of today’s most pressing issues: cargo theft, rising diesel prices, and geopolitical uncertainty.

Volatile ocean shipping conditions are making flexibility an essential part of supply chain planning. As ocean freight becomes more vulnerable to congestion, schedule disruptions, port delays, and blank sailings, having an established air freight strategy has become critical to every supply chain strategy. Click the link below to learn why making air freight a permanent part of your broader logistics strategy can help you prepare for whatever comes next.

111. This month our resident advice columnist answers questions about U.S. midterm election races we should be watching and which ports are competing for New York’s market share.

The 2026 U.S. midterm elections could shape the future of the logistics industry by determining the future direction of tariffs, trade agreements, infrastructure spending, environmental regulations, and supply chain policy for years to come.

As the logistics landscape continues to evolve, new opportunities are emerging for shippers willing to adapt. Two industry experts discuss how businesses can take advantage of foreign trade zones, real-time market intelligence, strategic investments, and workforce development to strengthen their supply chains.

110. This month our resident advice columnist answers questions about how El Niño could influence supply chain strategies and whether ensuring a reliable supply of glycol may one day become a national security priority.

India-to-U.S. importers are facing a worsening vessel-space crunch as a result of carriers reducing capacity. The tightening market has intensified competition for available space, leaving importers with more frequent cargo rollovers and rising freight rates.

109. This month, our resident advice columnist answers questions about tariffs on cremation urns and what to do if your cargo is bumped from a flight.

We are about to find out the power of knowledge at this year's Virginia Maritime Association Conference. This year's agenda emphasizes the importance of industry knowledge as shippers continue to contend with persistent supply chain challenges.

Whose side is Mother Nature on? Right now, she does not seem to be on the side of the logistics industry as recurring weather changes such as low river water levels, hurricanes, and floods have now become annual risks. Click the link below to learn what this means for the logistics industry.

University of Virginia Professor Peter Norton, a member of the university’s Center for Transportation Studies, discusses the evolution of rail and trucking, current challenges and opportunities in freight transportation, and the technologies, economic pressures, and customer demands likely to shape future transportation networks.

108. This month our resident advice columnist answers questions about cargo theft and how U.S. Customs is strengthening their enforcement of compliance.

High fuel costs, structured blank sailings, and shippers front loading cargo ahead of potential tariff increases have tightened vessel capacity and kept freight rates elevated, even amid ongoing economic uncertainty. Discover what these market dynamics could mean for shippers in both the near term and the long term.

106. Our resident advice columnist weighs in on the possible effects of the U.S.'s 50% tariff on India and how tariffs may shape this year's holiday rush.

With more than three decades of leadership at the Port of New York and New Jersey, one of America’s busiest gateways, Director Bethann Rooney shares valuable insights on resilience, strategic leadership, and navigating uncertainty in an increasingly complex global logistics landscape.

105. In this issue, our resident advice columnist answers questions about whether the completion of the Port of Virginia’s dredging project makes it the premier East Coast gateway for imported cargo, and when carriers may fully resume transits through the Suez Canal.

If a service fee at the Strait of Hormuz ever becomes a reality it could fundamentally alter the logistics industry by increasing costs and creating uncertainty in global shipping routes.

Many shippers mistakenly believe that carrier liability coverage fully protects them against cargo loss or damage, but this coverage is often very limited and relying solely on this can be detrimental to your business.

104. This month our resident advice columnist answers questions about what the future holds for U.S. East Coast ports the best strategies for managing the latest wave of blank sailings.

Industry leaders, Josh Raglin, Norfolk Southern’s Chief Sustainability Officer for Norfolk Southern, and Blake Borgen USD Group’s Vice President of Business Development sat down with OEC Group to discuss a variety of topics including strategies to reduce emissions and the critical role infrastructure plays in logistics.