Shippers 2025 Annual Review & Outlook
Executive Commentary
Agriculture Transportation Coalition
Peter Friedmann
Executive Director www . agtrans . org
In its July 17 , 1996 , edition , Journal of Commerce deemed the Agriculture ( Ocean ) Transportation Coalition ( AgTC ) “ the principal voice of agricultural exporters in US transportation policy .” Today , 28 years later , AgTC members are found in every commodity ; in every US state and Canada ; and now include exporters , importers , truckers and forwarders .
The Andersons April Zobel
Our founding mantra still holds true today : “ There is nothing we produce in agriculture and forest products here in the US that cannot be sourced elsewhere in the world . If we cannot deliver affordably [ and ] dependably , our global customers will find those new sources , and we will lose those customers .”
Thus , in 2025 we continue our pursuit of dependable affordable transportation .
In 2025 , rail cargo theft must be aggressively addressed by federal law enforcement agencies and courts , particularly when state jurisdiction proves unable or unwilling . Availability of equipment , such as empty containers and chassis , must be increased in rural areas where much agriculture originates .
Additionally , allowable truck weights must be increased — ours are the most restrictive in the world , making transport of heavy cargo such
Profit Center Manager www . andersonsinc . com
In our industry , earning the title of “ shipper of choice ” is about far more than securing competitive rates or filling containers . It signifies a commitment to fostering trust and collaboration with carriers , service providers and partners . Reliability lies at the heart of this designation . We know that carriers prioritize those who consistently meet their commitments — whether it ’ s ensuring cargo readiness , providing accurate documentation or adhering to agreed timelines . Demonstrating operational dependability establishes a foundation for longterm partnerships .
Equally important is adaptability . If the industry has learned anything in 2024 , it ’ s that the maritime landscape is dynamic , with unforeseen challenges being the new normal . A shipper of choice works collaboratively to navigate these uncertainties , offering solutions that minimize disruptions for all parties . Disruption seems like the theme of 2024 , and I do not have much confidence that 2025 isn ’ t a carbon copy . The willingness to be nimble and innovative with partners and seeking win-win solutions will often earn favor of priority and solutions-based actions .
Finally , treating logistics partners as true collaborators rather than transactional entities is critical . Investing in shared success through streamlined processes , joint problem-solving and even informal relationship-building reinforces trust and cooperation . Our partners are more than outside sales teams , they are comprised of numerous individuals who support the movement of our containers . Investing in learning how best to interact with those individuals will prove worthwhile . The unpredictable nature of this business can often drive people away from taking ownership for solving undefined problems ; however , I have found that problems are the gateway to opportunity — the opportunity to be the resource for trusted partners to turn to .
as agriculture and forest products more expensive and less efficient than what foreign competitors pay . There must also be clarification that cargo moving by rail under ocean contract is subject to Ocean Shipping Reform Act ( OSRA ) law and regulation .
The Federal Maritime Commission should continue to implement its post- OSRA role as a “ consumer protection agency ” — US exporters and importers being the consumers whose interests should always be the commission ’ s primary concern .
We are grateful for the FMC ’ s user-friendly complaint process , as it is accessible and affordable to shippers . The “ incentive principle ” must be protected , i . e . detention and demurrage may only be charged when it is possible to deliver or collect the containers . In addition , a new process is necessary to assure scrutiny of requests to waive the 30-day notice for rate increases / surcharges .
Contract rates should remain negotiated by carriers and shippers , but the FMC must be willing to prevent unreasonable , abusive rate increases and surcharges . Advancing ocean carrier digitalization and communication is also essential so that shippers are timely , accurately and continually informed of essential carrier and terminal operations such as ship arrival , terminal openings and loading windows .
American Cotton Shippers Association
Michael Symonanis
Chairman , Transportation and Insurance Committee acsa-cotton . org
In the increasingly competitive global market , US cotton exporters face significant headwinds . Brazil — now the largest cotton exporter globally — continues to challenge the US in key markets , and our ability to navigate a struggling containerized shipping system is vital to sustaining export volumes . Unfortunately , US container shipping performance has not returned to
“ The Federal Maritime Commission should continue to implement its post-OSRA role as a ‘ consumer protection agency ’— US exporters and importers being the consumers whose interests should always be the commission ’ s primary concern .”
Peter Friedmann
“ The maritime landscape is dynamic , with unforeseen challenges being the new normal . A shipper of choice works collaboratively to navigate these uncertainties , offering solutions that minimize disruptions for all parties .”
April Zobel
“ Timely issuance of clean ocean bills of lading and consistent CRW notifications will be essential to guarantee smoother operations across the supply chain , ensuring US containerized exports , such as cotton , remain competitive against foreign competitors .”
Michael Symonanis
12 Journal of Commerce | January 6 , 2025 www . joc . com