Port congestion and conflict pressure global supply chains, Loadstar podcast says
· Logistics
The Loadstar's Week 41 2026 News in Brief podcast reports that port congestion is putting pressure on global supply chains across West Africa, Europe and the Middle East, while escalating conflict is creating fresh challenges for air cargo. Drewry's head of ports and terminals, Eirik Hooper, joins the episode to discuss the causes of congestion and whether major investments are addressing it. The podcast frames congestion, cyber threat and capacity constraints as the week's dominant themes. Specific ports, volumes or investment figures are not detailed in the item.
Why it matters：Simultaneous congestion across several regions tightens effective capacity and raises costs for shippers, and the discussion points to whether infrastructure investment can keep pace with disruption.
Key points
- Congestion is reported across West Africa, Europe and the Middle East.
- Escalating conflict is cited as a new challenge for air cargo.
- Drewry's Eirik Hooper discusses congestion causes and investment responses.
Sources (original reporting)
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