World Freight Summit 2025, USA,

September 2025 / USA

Innovate Freight Forwarding Globally through Digitalization and Sustainability!

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World Freight Summit 2025 brings together key players from the world freight industry to probe and explore winning strategies and technologies in ocean, road, air, rail freight dealing with smart tools making it more efficient, cost-effective, and easier to track and manage global shipments.

With an intense 2-days agenda the conference seeks to expand in-depth discussions to digitalize the process of freight forwarding and improve business efficiency, viability, reduce costs, sustainability, improve customer service and security.

The conference is seeking presentations that are broadly focused on the following key topics:

Adapt Electric Vehicles for a Greener and Cost-Effective Future with Autonomous Advancements, Emission Reduction, and Sustainable Freight Transportation

Automation of Freight Processes to Increase Efficiency, Reduce Costs, Improve Customer Service, and Enhance Visibility

Opportunities and Challenges in Intermodal Freight Transportation

Integrate Sustainability & Digitalization to Drive Unprecedented Advancement in E-commerce

Accelerating Digitalization: IoT & AI/ML, Big Data, Blockchain, and Digitalized Freight Forwarding

The Integration of Advanced Technologies will Revolutionize Customs Operations, Enabling Efficient and Secure Cross-Border Trade

Traceability and Visibility enables Sustainable Sourcing in F&B by Identifying Raw Material Origins and Assessing Environmental Impact for Informed Decisions

How to Utilise Multi-Channel Strategies of Supply Chain with Global Uncertainties?

Addressing the Labor Shortage in Transportation and Logistics Requires a Dual Approach: Leveraging Technology Solutions and Improving Work Conditions in the Industry

Enhance supply chain visibility for intermodal connectivity and the pivotal role of ship-to-rail-to-truck and air-to-truck logistics Discover Strategies to Optimize First and Last Mile Pickup and Delivery Operations to Improve Customer Satisfaction and Drive Growth

Best practices and Case Studies of Digitalization to Business Objectives and Technology Alignment

[Day 1] Monday, Sep 23, 2024

08:15

Opening Remarks

08:30

Automation of Freight Processes to Increase Efficiency, Reduce Costs, Improve Customer Service, and Enhance Visibility

Enhanced Efficiency
Cost Reduction
Enhanced visibility

Vikas Kapur
Operations Manager, Shipping, Trading & Lighterage Co. LLC

09:00

Post COVID Cost of Ownership in FTL and LTL Ground Operations

Discussion about the trends in resource management and asset management, best practices for acquiring and holding assets during supply chain shortages.
What is the future with emissions regulation and how do organizations plan for laws to change from state to state?
Maintenance plans to lengthen the life of assets with the total cost of ownership in the forefront.

Brad Smith
Manager, Mercury Associates, Inc.

09:30

UK courier shipments to EU and the impact of Brexit on duties and country of origin.

Following Brexit it has had a significant impact on companies importing and exporting goods from the EU and EEA countries
The rules of origin has made importing certain goods liable for duty even when free trade deals have been agreed with certain countries (Serbia for example)
Impact on courier services for businesses with EU coverage after Brexit

James Topps
Supply Chain & Operations Director , SKANWEAR

10:00

Innovate Customs and Regulatory Process Globally through Digitalization and Sustainability

Overview of the current and future customs and regulatory landscape including challenges and non-tariff barriers to trade
Where and how can digital technologies and automation can have significant impacts on customs and other regulatory processes.
Practical best developed practices and case examples of digital technologies have changed and reshaped the trade landscape

Jason Blackman
Global Head of Customs Compliance, DHL Supply Chain

10:30

Networking Break

11:00

Heavy-Duty Fuel Cell Trucks: Lessons from the Road

With California’s Advanced Clean Fleets mandate requiring 100% ZEV sales, fleets must start converting their vehicles to zero emissions
Initial data was collected from over 15 successful commercial vehicle trials in North America, including port drayage, food and beverage, regional haulage, and chemical distribution
Critical quantitative and qualitative learnings from vehicle telemetry, customer feedback, and infrastructure insight provide learnings for fleets deploying vehicles soon

Cory Shumaker
Head of Business Development – Americas, Hyzon Motors

11:30

Global Emergency Response Freight

Freight challenges that humanitarian relief organizations face when responding to emergencies
Logistics cluster and import clearance working groups for humanitarian relief orgs (this could be removed)
Problem solving one disaster at a time
Stories from the field (Haiti earthquake, Bahamas Hurricane Dorian, Current Sudan conflict)

Natalie Lahutsky,
Specialist, Emergency Response Logistics, Hyzon Motors

12:00

How Pandemic and Post Pandemic Logistics Impacted MRO Operations in Public Transportation

Introduction – public transportation has long relied on a simplistic view of supply chain and materials management. The pandemic has shown that a more strategic view is needed to sustain growth and financial impacts.
Pandemic Impacts – During the pandemic public transportation relied on freight tracking to monitor stock levels of PPE for front line personnel. Provide examples of logistics impacts
Post Pandemic Impacts – Post Pandemic are a challenge due to tier 2 and 3 vendors not being able to provide parts to support operations. Provide examples of logistics challenges
Future Plans – rethinking supply chain impacts and moving towards digital control towers, route planning, and additive manufacturing. Provide examples of where we are going in our supply chain maturity

Gerald Verno
Director – Supply Chain Planning and Analytics, WMATA

12:30

Tech Forward: Embracing Gen AI and AI/ML for Next-Gen Logistics – Exploring Opportunities and Best Practices

The Impact of Gen AI and AI/ML on Logistics: Discover how these transformative technologies are revolutionizing the freight forwarders, container, transportation, and logistics industry
AI/ML in Supply Chain Management: Learn how AI-driven analytics are optimizing operations, enhancing visibility, and enabling agile decision-making.
Reducing Costs and Enhancing Efficiency: Explore real-world examples of how AI/ML implementation leads to cost savings and streamlined logistics processes.

John McFall
CEO, SupplyChainWise

01:00

How Global Data Standards are Shaping the Future of Global Trade – From Pilot to Progress

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Global Business Identifier (GBI) Initiative
US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) e-filing Program
Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) Maritime Transportation Data Initiative (MDTI)

Megan Baumer
Business Development Director, eCommerce, GS1 US

01:30

Networking Break

02:00

Windward and Leeward Islands are part of the Caribbean too

The islands that make up the Windward and Leeward Islands, populations, sovereignty and main shipping lines & forwarders in these countries.
Jamaica, Trinidad, Martinique and Dominican Republic are not the only territories in the Caribbean – but they play a vital role in getting cargo to the other territories.
The way forward for these small islands in terms of logistics.

LaSonja Gilkes
Marketing & Business Development Manager, Premier World Cargo

02:30

The need of a global vision in today’s business networking

The uncertainties and subsequent cargo flows changes, that require a solid global network to deal with same with Easyfresh (global reefer logistics) and the WWSA (www.wwsa.info / shipagency biz).

Rafael Llerena
CEO, Easyfresh Logistics

03:00

Opportunities and Challenges in Intermodal Freight Transportation

Understanding Intermodal Freight Transportation
Highlight the advantages of using multiple modes of transport for efficient cargo movement.
Technological Advancements and Intermodal Integration

Tal Singh
CEO, J&S Drayage, LLC

03:30

End of Day 1

[Day 2] Thursday, Oct 24, 2024

08:30

Global client centric platform replaces freight logistics forwarders software

Freight forwarders and carriers are too focused on their internal process and lack integration with their customers
The customer is not even considered as part of the strategy with maybe the exception of tracking
Our clients take control and use our technology to manage their global shipping and trading. The world is now their selling field. They integrate using our PO Manager, multimodal flexible options at their fingertips and full visibility of their shipments as well as Customs compliance formalities to wms to final delivery, in short a global supply chain management system in one easy to use cloud based system 247365 and replaces freight forwarders cumbersome antiquated 9-5 restrictive process

John O’Brien Owner, Ecom Global Systems

09:00

Towards a green and just transition – key insights from the UNCTAD Review of Maritime Transport 2023

Decarbonization, changing geography of trade and digitalization: key challenges ahead for the global shipping industry
Expected trade growth in different shipping segments. Forces make balancing supply and demand challenging in coming years.
Forces at play reshaping the sector’s roles and operating landscape
Collaboration for decarbonization

Luisa Antonia Rodriguez Ortega,
Manager, Mercury Associates, Inc. UNCTAD

09:30

Automation of freight processes to Increase efficiency, reduce costs, improve customer service, and enhance visibility.

In terms of automation aiding freight cost reductions, we can touch upon certain process like optimized route planning, Inventory management, Load optimization, Price comparison, Documentation and compliance, Freight Tracking and visibility, Demand forecasting and collaborating with various stakeholders
• In terms of providing better customer services, prime in the picture is the order tracking real time with RFID based system, download of the FCRs and electronic bill of lading and issue of delivery orders, also by providing real time information on the logistics snags in the supply chain, it aides the customers to have confidence in a service provider in terms of exchange of information and builds trust.

Sampath Raghavan
Head of Exim & Logistics, Raymond Limited

10:00

Looking Ahead: Evolving Market Trends in Global Container Freight

A deep dive into global spot freight rate trends as they currently stand
A look at current supply/demand fundamentals as cargo volumes remain weak, and ocean carriers continue to order vessels
An analysis of the containership orderbook as it stands, with respect to volume, fuel choice, and scrapping potential

David Lademan
Analyst, Price Assessments, S&P Global

10:30

One Mile at a time, Bayer’s Digital Journey towards Smart Logistics

Gradual Implementation: When automating a warehouse, it’s important to introduce changes gradually to avoid disrupting ongoing operations.
Collaborative Planning: Involve warehouse staff and management in the planning and implementation process
Training and Support: Provide comprehensive training and ongoing support to warehouse staff during the automation process.

Johnny Ivanyi
Supply Chain Sr. Director, Global Head of Logistics Excellence, Bayer Crop Science

11:00

How to automate warehouses without disrupting the current operation

Gradual Implementation: When automating a warehouse, it’s important to introduce changes gradually to avoid disrupting ongoing operations.
Collaborative Planning: Involve warehouse staff and management in the planning and implementation process
Training and Support: Provide comprehensive training and ongoing support to warehouse staff during the automation process.

Serkan Celik
Regional Director, Barsan Global Logistics Co., Ltd

11:30

Networking Break

12:00

Overcoming Integration Roadblocks

Identifying timeline roadblocks
Acknowledging the roadblock and determining solution feasibility
Solving/addressing roadblock and retaining roadblock solution for future implementations (efficiencies, cost reduction)

Kimberly Saez Controller for Client Onboarding, Redwood Logistics

12:30

Selling value in a logistics market

Everyone else is going cheap, why that does not mean you are the best
How to deliver value, prospect, and speak to customers about value.
Sometimes the customer has to experience bad service to value great service.

Charles O’Byrne
Director of Sales, Swan Transportation Services

01:00

Best Practices and Case Studies Of Digitalization To Business Objectives And Technology Alignment

Conversion Of Sales Leads / Queries To Bookings
Service Mails
Customised Solutions / Dedicated Customer Service

Vyankatesh Tulshibagwale
Team Leader – Liner Division, Waypoint Port Services Pvt. Ltd.

01:30

Opportunities and Challenges in Intermodal Freight Transportation in Africa

Opportunities: Enhanced Connectivity, Trade Facilitation, Sustainable Development
Challenges: Infrastructure Deficiencies, Regulatory Harmonization, Intensified Security Risks
Conclusion: Africa is ready to secure its position in the global trade landscape.

Nontobeko Nzimande
Operations Controller, Operations Controller