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and combined sea/air and sea/land solu-
tions that offer a compromise between
time and price.
Shih mentioned that rail freight is now
a more attractive and cost-competitive
option for shipping goods from China to
Europe due to faster transit times and the
elimination of various ocean surcharges.
Dimerco offers door-to-door rail freight
solutions, including inbound trucking in
China, rail transport, customs clearance,
and final delivery coordination in Europe.
During the interview, Findlay empha-
sised the importance of real-time data in
navigating the supply chain. He men-
tioned that Kuehne+Nagel developed
a tool called ‘seaexplorer’, which offers
comprehensive information on vessel
locations, transit times, port congestion,
and alerts. This tool utilises advanced
pathfinding algorithms and concurrent
information to help customers identify the
best logistics options, optimising costs,
speed, and sustainability.
States Maritime Alliance (USMX)]. Ad- Each company has taken a different ap-
ditionally, there are concerns about tariff proach towards solving the problem. Why?
increases, such as the extension of US Sec- As Levine pointed out, there isn't a
tion 301 tariffs and new tariffs on Chinese single solution to the disruptions in
imports like solar panels and EVs. These maritime chokepoints, but technology
factors lead to an earlier peak season and can help improve efficiency. Enhanced
a shift from sea to air freight. communication and data sharing among
The intensifying US-China tariff war logistics stakeholders can streamline
has resulted in companies diversifying processes, reducing time and frustration,
production beyond China, increasing especially during crises. This technological
demand for import and export routes in integration improves price discovery and
Southeast Asian countries. This has ben- Decreased air transparency, enabling stakeholders to
efited Dimerco's business in the region. make more informed decisions.
Furthermore, companies face increased cargo capacities Similarly, the BCG report emphasised
trade compliance complexities as they the importance of using advanced tech-
navigate rules of origin and other regula- and increased nologies, such as artificial intelligence, for
tions in new markets. Dimerco is actively rates indicate proactive risk management in the ship-
assisting companies in understanding and ping industry. It highlights the significance
complying with these regulations. significant volumes of interconnectedness among ships for
sharing locations and observations and
Industry's response to the crisis moving from sea to providing real-time updates to customers.
Dimerco is addressing the surge in air air shipping. Dimerco's CEO also underscored the im-
freight demand by introducing a new portance of building long-term strategic
charter solution from Shanghai to Chicago, Edward Findlay relationships with air carriers from the
with over-the-road shipping to various US Kuehne+Nagel perspective of freight forwarders.
locations. This aims to ease pressure on "In today's world, we can expect the
congested US West Coast ports and provide the Russia-Ukraine war, offering faster, more disruptions, political or natural, to happen;
faster, more reliable shipping. They also offer reliable service than ocean freight at up to they are simply unavoidable. What we
risk mitigation strategies for port congestion 30% lower costs, added Shih. can control is the speed and relevance
and disruptions, including sea-air and cross- Kuehne+Nagel addresses the crisis by of our response, the ability to furnish our
border rail options from China to Europe. providing alternative transportation op- customers with options and solutions, and
By using alternative rail routes via Central tions for high-value, time-sensitive cargo. to maintain and secure the integrity of the
Asia, they avoid the Russian routes due to These include air freight at higher rates supply chain," concluded Findlay. 

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