Join Unsworth on Thursday 12th February 2026 at 11:00 for our Webinar

Global Shipping in 2026: Routes, Rates and Reality for Cargo Owners

Ocean Freight Expectations for 2025: How to Be a Smart Buyer of Freight

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From instability in Iran and Venezuela to strategic competition in the Arctic, political flashpoints are already disrupting shipping routes, pushing up fuel and insurance costs, and increasing volatility across global freight markets. For cargo owners, these risks are no longer theoretical... they are operational and financial realities.

We’ll explore how geopolitical tensions are reshaping global shipping lanes, influencing freight rates, and redefining risk for supply chains worldwide. More importantly, we’ll look at what cargo owners can do now to prepare for 2026.

We’re joined by Gary Jeffreys, former Maersk Managing Director, who brings decades of frontline experience navigating global trade through periods of disruption, volatility and change. Gary will share practical insights into how major carriers assess risk, adapt routes, and make strategic decisions when geopolitical pressures collide with commercial realities.

Meet the Speakers

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Charles Hogg

Chief Commercial Officer

Charles is a highly influential figure in UK logistics. He combines deep operational expertise with a strong focus on technology-led solutions and post-EU Exit trade. As UK National Chairman of the British International Freight Association (BIFA), Charles plays a key role in shaping policy across borders, giving him a unique perspective on the future of international trade and logistics.

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Gary Jeffreys

Managing Partner - NovaChain

Gary Jeffreys is Managing Partner at NovaChain, and former Managing Director at Maersk. Having spent years inside one of the world’s leading global carriers, Gary brings an insider’s understanding of how shipping lines think, price, prioritise and manage risk. Now working on the shipper side, he reveals the realities behind carrier decision-making and what they mean for supply chain strategy.

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Mitch Shanahan

Strategic Growth & Partnerships Lead

Mitch works closely with some of the company’s top accounts, identifying opportunities to enhance their supply chain performance and demonstrating how Unsworth’s core services and digital solutions can add tangible value. Responsible for setting strategic goals and developing targeted market initiatives, he combines insight and innovation to drive growth.

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What will you take away from this free webinar?

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A Reality Check on Routes, Detours and Reliability

Understand how carriers think about risk at sea, why detours are becoming structural rather than exceptional, and how cargo owners should recalibrate expectations around lead times and network design.

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Clarity on Rates, Capacity, and the Next Cycle

Cut through the noise around overcapacity and alliances, and learn what tools carriers are likely to use next — and how those decisions will show up in freight rates and schedule performance.

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A Smarter Playbook for Buying Ocean Freight

Learn how leading shippers are rethinking contracts after 2020–2024, how risk can be shared more intelligently, and what “good” contracting looks like in an unstable market.

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