Carrier-forwarder relations: Animosity between carriers and forwarders is always simmering away but there had been hope that the downtimes of the pandemic – for both – may prompt some sort of reassessment of the way they relate to one another. Did this happen? Have there been any notable improvements as far as forwarders concerned? And how should one approach dealing with carriers?

New Trade Lanes: Amidst a year of flux, there have been not only new markets but new trade lanes emerging as countries and regions seek to build new partnerships and become less dependent on joined-up economies. How is the impacting the SME forwarding sector?

Training and Recruitment: 20-year careers may be over, but this is no reason to not offer new recruits much needed training, indeed, it offers SMEs something of a trump card against their multinational competitors. How can SMEs use training as a means to recruit the best talent?

Time-critical: “The only certainty is uncertainty,” became a familiar refrain over the course of the last 12 months. Against this backdrop, how have forwarders sought to ensure that they are able to meet the needs of their customers and keep supply chains flowing?

Project Logistics: Growing momentum in South Asia, particularly India, proved key for the project logistics scene in 2025. Has that market maintained its momentum and where are the new pockets of opportunity, both regionally and by sector, emerging?

eCommerce: eCommerce has been the key driver of airfreight since the turn of the decade but increasing hostility between the west and China has seen key legislation – including de minimis exemptions – removed, making it harder and more expensive for this sector. How have eCommerce shippers responded and how have SME forwarders helped?

Environment: Environmentally friendly transport was seen as a necessitate just 12 months ago, but changes in the US and concerns in Europe have seen climate legislation watered down, delayed, or done away with entirely. What impact has this massive shift had on SME forwarders and how is it affecting the wider logistics sector when it comes to long-term planning?

Latin America: The US may be moving away from China, but where Latin America – and Mexico in particular – had looked like a major winner, question marks are circling over what the future looks like for the continent. Does it still see its future to the north?

Humanitarian Logistics: The world seems to have become a more dangerous place in recent years, with forwarders coming under increasing pressure from the humanitarian sector to help ensure an ongoing flow on essentials in dangerous environments. How have forwarders adapted to this? What lessons have been learned? And can these help in their wider work?

Technology: New technologies allow for rapid deployment of new sales channels, but what sort of pressure does this place on SME forwarders to meet customer expectations? What has changed in the AI sphere in the last 12 months, and where is it going? And what tech do we all need to keeping an eye on?

Pharma logistics: Pharma is always something of a winner for airfreight, but are changes in the way we use medicines affecting the pharmaceutical supply chains? If so, how? If not, why not? And what are the prospects for new forwarders trying to get into this marker?

Perishables: “Tariffs change everything” shippers and forwarders both found themselves contending with a lot of chaos last year, with major concerns over what the rapid implementation of tariffs would mean for perishables in transit. How has the situation changed in the preceding period? How did forwarders react? And what lessons were learned?