The Brief | Edition 1 | For Supply Chain Leaders

Freight costs are up. Talent is tight. Tech is moving fast. As change accelerates across the supply chain, The Brief is here to break down the biggest developments shaping the sector while you’re on the go. Looking at what they mean for your operations, strategy, and people.

Shipping Rates Surge (Again)

Global ocean freight spot rates have jumped over 40% month-on-month, driven by ongoing Red Sea disruptions and rising congestion at key Asian ports.

Carriers are still rerouting ships around the Cape of Good Hope to avoid the Red Sea, a move that adds both time and cost. Combined with backlogs at Asian terminals, this is fuelling widespread delays and volatility across supply chains. According to DHL's Ocean Freight Market Update, this is driving sharp rate fluctuations and increasing operational uncertainty.

Freightos Shipping Insights echoes this, noting the industry is still deep in a period of adjustment, with schedules, vessel rotations, and transit times in constant flux.

What this means for you:

Expect continued pricing pressure and potential delays. It’s a good time to explore alternative shipping routes, invest in real-time tracking and predictive analytics, and work closely with logistics partners on contingency planning.

Warehousing Faces Critical Labour Shortage

UK warehousing and logistics firms are struggling with severe labour shortages this quarter, particularly for forklift operators, HGV drivers, and warehouse operatives.

While there was a slight increase in HGV driver employment towards the end of 2024, the overall workforce remains stretched. The sector continues to grapple with an ageing workforce and too few new entrants. Logistics UK warns this progress could stall, or reverse, without long-term investment.

The pipeline for skilled technical talent is seen to be shrinking. In 2010, over 100 providers offered the Level 3 Heavy Vehicle Technician Apprenticeship. As of January 2025, that number has dropped to just 38 (Parliament Committee Evidence).

What this means for you:

Hiring alone won’t solve the problem. Building internal talent pipelines, investing in training programmes, and improving retention will be key. To help with all of these things, consider working with a trusted recruitment partner to help you build sustainably. This may also be a good moment to explore automation and other technologies that can ease pressure on stretched teams.

AI in Freight – The Time is Now

Both DHL and Maersk are doubling down on AI and predictive analytics to boost efficiency, reduce costs, and better manage disruptions. Maersk’s 2025 Logistics Trend Map cites predictive analytics as one of the most transformative tools shaping modern supply chains. DHL echoed this, pointing to AI as a core enabler of resilience and improved customer experience.

What this means for you:

Is your current tech setup enabling fast, data-informed decisions, or is it falling behind while competitors move forward?

Now’s the time to review your infrastructure and explore tools for demand forecasting, route optimisation, and inventory planning. But adding new tech alone isn’t enough. To maintain AI tools as an effective addition to your organisation, your teams need to be sufficiently trained to use AI tools effectively in their day-to-day roles.

ESG Just Got Personal for Execs

The EU’s Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive puts supply chain transparency front and centre, and introduces personal liability for directors who fail to comply. While the goal is to encourage responsible corporate behaviour, recent proposals could reduce the number of companies covered by up to 80% (Financial Times).

What this means for you:

ESG considerations are now integral to risk management, with real consequences for leadership. Strengthen due diligence processes, engage stakeholders meaningfully to demonstrate commitment to sustainability, and stay up to speed on evolving regulations to avoid legal risk and reputational damage.

Driverless Freight Trials Go Fully Live

Autonomous freight trucks are now operating on public highways in Texas, with no human safety drivers on board. Aurora has already completed more than 1,200 miles of commercial deliveries between Dallas and Houston and plans to expand routes to El Paso and Phoenix by year-end (Aurora Press Release).

What this means for you:

The successful deployment of driverless trucks signifies a transformative shift in freight operations. While the efficiency benefits are clear, the implications for regulation, safety, and workforce planning are still unfolding. Keep an eye on developments and start thinking about where this tech might fit into your longer-term strategy.

Insights for Supply Chain leaders

We’re seeing some big shifts in freight, logistics, and supply chain management. Being prepared means staying ahead of where things are going. That’s what we aim to help with,  every edition.

We'll be back in two weeks with The Brief. Until then, feel free to share this update with your team or reach out if there’s something you'd like us to cover next.

Till next time,

The MVP Recruitment & Talent Solutions team

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