News in Brief Podcast | Week 31 2026 |Peak Season, Middle East Risks and AI

In this episode of *The Loadstar Podcast News in Brief*, we unpack another busy week across global supply chains. Chief analyst Peter Sand of Xeneta joins us to discuss the latest fallout from tensions in the Middle East, why container lines are continuing Red Sea transits despite ongoing security risks, and what the recent wave of emergency surcharges really means for shippers. We also examine the latest ocean freight rate trends, whether this year's peak season has already reached its high point, and what cargo owners should consider when planning contracts for the months ahead. Then, Loadstar publisher Alex Lennane breaks down the latest financial results from major logistics players, including CMA CGM, Kuehne+Nagel, CH Robinson and Geodis, highlighting what's driving air cargo performance as demand continues to outpace capacity. She also discusses Project44 CEO Jett McCandless' claim that AI could begin to erode CargoWise's dominance by enabling forwarders to build smarter, more flexible software ecosystems.