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Building a Resilient Port Strategy with Brian Kempisty & Lauren Beagen

Release Date: 11/17/2023

REPOST: Global Giants: ICAT Moves the World's Largest Cargo with Chris Cser

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

and discuss global giants - ICAT moves the world's largest cargo. Chris is the Director of Operations at ICAT Logistics Detroit where they handle the shipments that other companies don't, can't, and won't. Summary: Global Giants: ICAT Moves the World's Largest Cargo In this podcast, Chris Cser, Director of Operations at ICAT Logistics, takes us on a journey through the complex world of global logistics. Founded in 1992 in Baltimore, ICAT Logistics has expanded across the United States and Europe, specializing in handling unusual, high-value, and oversized freight that often falls outside the...

The People-First Approach to Funding the Future of Logistics with Michael Sachaj

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

and discuss the people-first approach to the future of logistics. Michael is a Partner at Hyde Park Angels (HPA), a leading early-stage investor based in Chicago. About Michael Sachaj is a Partner at HPA and manages and supports HPA’s investment opportunities through their lifecycle. Michael has led investment in a number of HPA’s top performing investments including ShipBob, FourKites, Paccurate, and Digit. Prior to joining HPA in 2013, Michael attended Northwestern University and worked at strategy consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton supporting various government clients in the...

Tech-Driven Drayage: A PortPro Perspective with Corey Abbott

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

and discuss tech-driven drayage: a PortPro perspective. Corey is the Chief Growth Officer and his team lead enterprise initiatives at PortPro, an innovative technology company that keeps the drayage industry moving efficiently with its operating platform built for drayage trucking companies, brokerages, and those that do both. About Corey Abbott , Chief Growth Officer and his team lead enterprise initiatives at PortPro, focusing on developing comprehensive products designed to enhance the customer experience, guided by their needs and feedback. Corey spent over a decade at STG Logistics, the...

Carrier Sales Teams Are Being Run the Wrong Way with Brent Evens

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

and discuss how carrier sales teams are being run the wrong way. Brent is the Co-founder of NextBoard, a carrier sales platform purpose-built for freight brokerages. About Brent Evens is the Co-founder of NextBoard, a freight tech startup helping brokers streamline carrier sales and build stronger, more efficient networks. He brings a diverse background in logistics, SaaS, and product strategy—including time at Delta Air Lines, where he worked on digital product initiatives that improved customer experience and operational performance. Before launching NextBoard, Brent also held...

Blind Spots & Bottlenecks: Unmasking the Hidden Enemies of Supply Chain with Briana Birkholz

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

and discuss blind spots & bottlenecks: unmasking the hidden enemies of supply chain. Briana is the Vice President of Product Management for the 3PL market segment at SPS Commerce, the world’s leading retail network, connecting trading partners around the globe to optimize supply chain operations for all retail partners. About Briana Birkholz is the Vice President of Product Management for the 3PL market segment at SPS Commerce. With a passion for overcoming supply chain and logistics challenges, Briana is committed to addressing the distinct needs of customers through comprehensive,...

The Strategic COO: Navigating Disruption and Driving Change with Suketu Gandhi

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

and discuss the strategic COO: navigating disruption and driving change. Suketu is a partner and global chair for the Strategic Operations Practice at Kearney, a leading management consulting firm. About Suketu Ghandi is a partner and global chair for the Strategic Operations Practice at Kearney, a leading management consulting firm. Based in Chicago, his expertise covers a wide range of operations topics, with an emphasis on end-to-end supply chains and their redesign for four critical purposes, growth, cost, resilience, and sustainability. Noting that the key to maximizing their...

Unpacking Cargo Theft: Trends and Solutions with Danielle Spinelli

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

and discuss unpacking cargo theft: trends and solutions. Danielle serves as Account Executive at Descartes MyCarrierPortal, the leading solution for carrier identity, onboarding, and monitoring in transportation. About Danielle Spinelli is an Account Executive at Descartes MyCarrierPortal. With a decade of experience in the logistics and transportation industry, Danielle brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise in carrier sales and vetting. Having worked as a Carrier Sales Broker for 8 years, Danielle honed a deep understanding of the supply chain and transportation landscape, building...

REPOST: Booking More Loads Using AI with Anthony Sutardja

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

and discuss booking more loads using AI. Anthony is the CEO and co-founder of , the leading truckload capacity management platform for freight brokers. About Anthony Sutardja As CEO & co-founder of Parade, leads product vision and strategy to enable logistics service providers to work smarter and faster with modern tools. His background in artificial intelligence, big data processing, and freight brokerage enables companies partnering with Parade to accelerate digital transformation by innovating with the status quo. Prior to , Anthony worked on a small team at Uber...

Beyond The Rails and Roads: The State of Intermodal with Anne Reinke

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

and discuss beyond the rails and roads: the state of intermodal. Anne is the President & CEO at the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA), North America's leading industry trade association representing the combined interests of the intermodal freight industry. About Anne Reinke became the Intermodal Association of North America’s third President & CEO in December of 2024. Immediately preceding her appointment at IANA, Anne was President & CEO of the Transportation Intermediaries Association for four years. Anne has a long career in transportation policy,...

Stop Selling, Start Influencing: Tom Augenthaler's Logistics Marketing Gameplan

The Logistics of Logistics Podcast

and discuss stop selling, start influencing: Tom Augenthaler's logistics marketing gameplan. Tom helps companies tell stories that make the customer the hero. Having customers and influencers talk positively about your company is one of the best ways to attract and win new business. About Tom Augenthaler is the Founder and CEO of . On the website, shares his ideas and knowledge of influencer marketing with others looking to learn about this powerful strategy. is a pioneer in the space and has been working with influencers since 2007 while with Hewlett Packard, and as a consultant...

More Episodes

Brian Kempisty, Lauren Beagen and Joe Lynch discuss building a resilient port strategy. Brian is the Founder of Port X Logistics, a transportation company that specializes in expediting containerized cargo throughout the U.S. and Canada. Lauren is a lawyer and the Founder of Squall Strategies, a boutique maritime consulting and legal solutions company.

About Brian Kempisty

Brian Kempisty is the Founder of Port X Logistics, a transportation company that specializes in expediting containerized cargo throughout the U.S. and Canada. Brian grew up as a farm kid outside of Buffalo, NY and learned how to work at a young age. While earning his degree at Canisius College he needed a job and found himself working in the logistics industry. Since those early days, he has run multiple companies and his latest adventure called for him to create Port X Logistics which is a national drayage and transloading company with offices on both coasts.

About Lauren Beagen

Lauren M. Beagen is a seasoned maritime attorney and the founder of Squall Strategies, LLC and The Maritime Professor ™. Ms. Beagen is often called on for her industry expertise by notable trade networks, including features on CNBC and FreightWaves. Ms. Beagen has extensive experience in oceanborne commerce and maritime law, with specific emphasis on maritime transportation, Shipping Act issues, supply chain management, international antitrust law, and port and terminal operations. Notable appointments include work in the federal government as Attorney-Advisor (International Affairs) in the Office of the General Counsel at the Federal Maritime Commission and work at a public port authority as Maritime Project Manager for the Port of Boston at the Massachusetts Port Authority. Ms. Beagen received a Bachelor’s degree in International Political Science and International Studies from Hope College, a Master of Marine Affairs degree from the University of Rhode Island, and a Juris Doctorate from Roger Williams University School of Law. She is an avid sailor and recreational fisherman and holds a US Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Credential (50 ton) for Great Lakes and Inland Waters.

About Port X Logistics

Port X Logistics specializes in expediting containerized cargo throughout the US and Canada. With a combination of company trucks, owner operators, and logistics network Port X Logistics can effectively service every port and rail ramp. Port X Logistics provides drayage, trans-loading, and over the road trucking to help clients meet their fulfillment and production plans. The team operates with urgency, attention to detail, proactive communication, and the ultimate in visibility.

About Squall Strategies

Squall Strategies is a maritime consulting and legal solutions company and offers a wide range of consulting services to serve a variety of businesses and clients. Whether you’re a small, local business or a multinational corporation, we can help you reach new levels of success. Squall Strategies is available for advice and consultation on Federal Maritime Commission related matters, advice and consultation on supply chain and ocean freight movement, potential federal regulatory impacts on your business, federal regulatory review and analysis, general Federal Maritime Commission related inquiries, advice and consultation on demurrage, tariff/schedule reviews, and supply chain industry insight.

Key Takeaways: Building a Resilient Port Strategy

The first step in developing a resilient port strategy is understanding the locations of the domestic supply chain along with the location of customers.
The ability to use multiple ports of entry is key for shippers because there are unexpected disruptions at ports because Panama Canal issues, labor problems, and shifting regulations at the ports.
Shippers must also consider potential labor union issues with both the West Coast and East Coast longshoremen unions.
The California Ports are more challenging to service because of AB5 and CARB
AB5 refers to Assembly Bill 5, a California law that went into effect on January 1, 2020. It is also known as the “Gig Worker Law” or the “Independent Contractor Law.” AB5 aims to classify more workers as employees rather than independent contractors,
CARB emissions refer to emissions of pollutants regulated by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
To build a resilient port strategy, shippers must consider the impact of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act (OSRA) of 2022, which includes the following provisions:
- Unreasonable Refusal to Deal – A provision that requires that an ocean common carrier shall not unreasonably refuse to deal or negotiate with respect to vessel space accommodation.
- Demurrage and Detention Billing Requirements – A new rule that seeks to provide more clarity, consistency, structure and punctuality to the demurrage and detention billing practices used by vessel operating common carriers (VOCCs), non-vessel-operating common carriers (NVOCCs) and marine terminal operators (MTOs).
- Unfair or Unjust Discriminatory Methods – The Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) will define what is unfair or unjust discriminatory methods used by carriers regarding concerns and complaints by exporters and small shippers.
Lastly, to build a resilient port strategy, shippers should get the select the right partner – companies that have a comprehensive knowledge of the ports – companies like Port X Logistics and Squall Strategies.
Port X Logistics provides drayage to and from all ports and ramps in the USA and Canada.
Port X Logistics provides safe and just-in-time truckload services, unique problem-solving for supply chain solutions, worry-free crisis management services, and collaborative and dedicated project management from start to finish.
Squall Strategies provide a broad range of services and solutions to help organizations facilitate change, achieve their vision, and optimize performance and productivity. Not all problems they encounter are legal, but their legal experience gives them a deeper understanding of the industry.