Shekar Natarajan

Special Guest Blog Post written by Bart A. De Muynck   The past few years have exposed just how fragile our supply chains can be. From tariff shocks to pandemic disruptions, from inflationary pressures to mounting parcel surcharges, the landscape has shifted beneath our feet. Companies that once managed logistics as a back-office function are now grappling with its role as a front-line business risk.   What’s often missed in this conversation is the role of freight audit and payment (FAP). Long considered a tactical necessity, FAP has quietly become a strategic imperative. And as I explored in the Better Supply Chains Market Radar: Freight Audit & Payment, the companies that treat it that way are the ones best equipped to weather today’s volatility.   Why FAP Has Become Mission-Critical   When tariffs can add 15–20% to input costs almost overnight, or when the elimination of the U.S. de minimis exemption threatens to reshape cross-border e-commerce, companies need more than visibility. They need real-time intelligence and agility.   Traditional FAP approaches—manual audits, siloed spreadsheets, reactive error correction—are no longer sufficient. Modern FAP platforms, powered by AI and advanced analytics, enable shippers to:   Audit with precision at scale, uncovering hidden…

How nearshoring, trade policy shifts, and digital infrastructure are transforming strategies in an era of disruption Global supply chains are being tested like never before. Rising tariffs, shifting trade policies, and the push for sustainability have accelerated a new era of resilience. Businesses are no longer simply reacting to disruptions—they’re proactively reconfiguring their networks with nearshoring, diversification, and advanced technology. The latest white paper from DP World explores how companies across the Americas are turning volatility into opportunity by investing in regional supply chains, leveraging economic zones, and adopting digital innovation to stay competitive in a fragmented global market. Download your copy today to see how you can position your business for strength and agility.   What You’ll Learn: This white paper provides actionable insights for supply chain leaders navigating geopolitical, economic, and technological change. Inside, you’ll discover: ✔ Why resilience now outweighs efficiency: 88% of businesses plan to reconfigure supply chains in 2025. ✔ How trade policies are driving regionalization: New U.S. tariffs are reshaping sourcing strategies and opening opportunities in Latin America. ✔ Where investment is accelerating growth: Nearshoring fueled $36B in foreign investment in Mexico in 2024, with DP World investing $2.5B in logistics infrastructure across Latin…