Monthly Roundup - Tariffs, AI Triumphs & Red Sea Ripples

Curated insights, key data points, and upcoming events to keep you up to speed.

As global supply chains navigate policy uncertainty, volatile freight markets, and the rapid advance of AI, April brought a wave of major developments worth noting. Here’s a quick roundup of what mattered most last month—from tariff tremors in Germany to data-rich reports and upcoming industry events.

Must-Read Industry Reports

ITS Logistics April Supply Chain Report

The ITS Logistics April 2025 report highlights ongoing global uncertainties that could derail freight market recovery. Key factors include shifting consumer demand, geopolitical tensions, and capacity constraints. The report emphasizes the need for agile strategies to navigate these challenges.

AI Integration in Logistics

A recent study underscores the growing role of artificial intelligence in logistics. Companies are increasingly adopting AI for route optimization, predictive analytics, and real-time monitoring, enhancing efficiency and decision-making across supply chains.

McKinsey – “Beyond Automation: How Gen AI Is Reshaping Supply Chains” (Apr 17)

Gen AI is moving from pilot to performance. In this latest McKinsey-Samsara collaboration, real-world deployments across 15,000 fleets show striking gains:

• Accident frequency dropped by 40%
• DHL Express cut total incident costs by 49%
• Computer-vision tools and IoT sensors are becoming essential in fleet safety and dispatch optimization

Deloitte Switzerland – CFO Spring Survey 2025 (Apr 16)

Switzerland’s top finance leaders are on alert:

• 68% cite US-EU trade friction as their top external risk
• 57% expect a recession if no deal is reached within 90 days
• Confidence in cross-border logistics is at a five-year low

Read more on recent highlights

• Germany Slashes Growth Forecast Amid Trade Tensions: Germany lowered its 2025 GDP forecast to 0%, citing escalating U.S. tariffs as a key threat to exports. Officials are pushing for a negotiated EU-US deal—but are also preparing potential countermeasures.
• DHL Delivers Solid Q1—but Stays Defensive: DHL Group posted strong Q1 results: revenue up 2.8%, EBIT up 4.5%. But in light of policy volatility, the logistics giant is stockpiling cash and adapting contracts. Management warns that sudden trade shifts could still swing margins dramatically.
• Red Sea Disruption Persists, Delays Mount: Shipping through the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait remains heavily reduced. Most major carriers are sticking to the Cape of Good Hope route, adding 10–14 days to transit times. Freight rates have quadrupled since January, and schedule reliability has fallen to just 51.5%.
• Celonis Sues SAP Over Alleged Anti-Competitive Practices: In March 2025, German process mining company Celonis filed a lawsuit against SAP in a U.S. federal court, alleging that SAP is engaging in anti-competitive behavior by restricting third-party access to customer data within its ERP systems. Celonis claims that SAP imposes excessive fees and technical barriers, effectively making it difficult for customers to use non-SAP process mining solutions like Celonis’s own software. The lawsuit also accuses SAP of promoting its own process mining product, Signavio, acquired in 2021, by offering it at low or no cost and making misleading statements about the risks of using third-party tools. Celonis asserts that these practices harm competition and limit customer choice in the process mining market. SAP has stated that it is reviewing the lawsuit but has not provided further comments.

Dive deep into research

"Supply chain integration as the implementation of strategic management in improving business performance" by Umari Abdurrahim Abi Anwar, Agus Rahayu, Lili Adi Wibowo, Mokh Adib Sultan, Tasya Aspiranti, Chairul Furqon & Asni Mustika Rani (2025)

"Research on the closed-loop supply chain of intelligent products considering government subsidies in the context of the internet of things" by Jinghua Zhao, Shaoyun Cui & Zheng Xu (2025)

Events

Transport Logistic 2025

When: 2. - 5. June 2025

Where: Munich, Germany

What: The world’s leading trade fair for logistics, mobility, IT, and supply chain management. Featuring over 2,500 exhibitors from more than 70 countries, the event offers insights into the latest industry trends and innovations.

DELIVER Europe 2025

When: 4. - 5. June 2025

Where: Amsterdam, Netherlands

What: Europe’s premier retail and supply chain conference, celebrating its 10th anniversary. The event will host over 60 talks focusing on the future of commerce, logistics, and supply chain innovations.

International Conference on Procurement, Logistics and Supply Chain Management

When: 11. - 12. June 2025

Where: Frankfurt, Germany (Hybrid Event)

What: A forum for researchers, academicians, and industry experts to discuss advancements and challenges in procurement, logistics, and supply chain management.

TOC Europe 2025

When: 17. - 19. June 2025

Where: Rotterdam, Netherlands

What: The premier gathering for the global port and terminal supply chain community, focusing on maritime logistics and cargo supply chain operations.

CHAINge Europe 2025

When: 17. - 18. June 2025

Where: Brussels, Belgium

What: A significant gathering of supply chain executives, strategists, and policymakers to collaborate on megatrends shaping supply chain management.

CSCMP European Conference 2025

When: 19. - 20. June 2025

Where: Verona, Italy

What: An essential event for European supply chain leaders, offering insights into the latest strategies and innovations in supply chain management.