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Brian Aoaeh

Brian Laung Aoaeh writes about the reinvention of global supply chains, from the perspective of an early-stage technology venture capitalist. He is the co-founder of REFASHIOND Ventures, an early stage venture capital fund that is being built to invest in startups creating innovations to refashion global supply chain networks. He is also the co-founder of The Worldwide Supply Chain Federation (The New York Supply Chain Meetup). His background covers the gamut from scientific research, data and statistical analysis, corporate development and investing for a single-family office, and then building an early stage venture fund from scratch - immediately prior to REFASHIOND. Brian holds an MBA in General Management, with a specialization in Financial Instruments and Markets, from NYU’s Stern School of Business. He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics & Physics from Connecticut College. Brian is a charter holding member of the CFA Institute. He is also an adjunct professor of operations management in the Department of Technology Management and Innovation at the New York University School of Engineering.
Apr - 2021 -
28 April
Brian Aoaeh

Viewpoint: Klaveness Digital building resilient, decarbonized, modern supply chains

Within maritime logistics circles, an effort is underway to update the technology the industry relies on to take advantage of recent advancements in hardware and software technology.

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21 April
Brian Aoaeh

Viewpoint: ExxonMobil is building a low-carbon business

Will the oil majors make the transition to become dominant producers of renewable energy and other climate change technology, or will new entrants supplant them?

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15 April
Brian Aoaeh

Viewpoint: What this IPO tells us about autonomous freight networks

TuSimple will focus on perfecting its core autonomous trucking technology on the middle mile while it relies on partners for other aspects of the technology and services required.

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07 April
Brian Aoaeh

Viewpoint: A wish list based on Biden’s American Jobs Plan

I am encouraged to see that President Joe Biden is calling for up to $300 billion of investments by the federal government to begin rebuilding America’s manufacturing sector.

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Mar - 2021 -
18 March
Brian Aoaeh

Viewpoint: What is supplier empathy in the context of cyber risk?

The desire for supply chain software and technology that is tightly integrated and that works in tandem, through platforms and ecosystems, raises the specter of cybersecurity incidents that can very quickly metastasize.

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11 March
Brian Aoaeh

Viewpoint: People — the strongest link in real-world supply chains

How should executives think about the combination of people and technology as they attempt to solve the problems they encounter daily in their companies’ supply chain operations?

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04 March
Brian Aoaeh

Viewpoint: Supply chains are having a moment

We are on the cusp of a golden age of technology-led innovation in supply chain.

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Feb - 2021 -
25 February
Brian Aoaeh

Viewpoint: J.B. Hunt, Google team up to build another supply chain platform

It appears Google and J.B. Hunt envision that their joint effort will become an innovation platform to support the J.B. Hunt 360 marketplace.

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19 February
Brian Aoaeh

Viewpoint: Alloy building central nervous system for supply chain

“Constantly shifting consumer demand and supply shocks that are felt worldwide regularly throw supply chains out of balance.”

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04 February
Jan - 2021 -
28 January
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Observations on strategy, operations, finance and logistics for 2021

Good management alone won’t keep a business afloat, but poor management almost ensures failure in the ongoing crisis.

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22 January
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Time to turn rest of US into innovation factory

Now is the time to transform the United States’ dominance of information technology into a durable leadership position in innovations that will characterize supply chains the rest of this century.

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18 January
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Washington must quickly build confidence in vaccine supply chain

The public needs to be educated about the quality control processes in place for the manufacture of vaccines.

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07 January
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Ladingo democratizes cross-border B2B e-commerce shipments

Ladingo’s growth suggests a segment of the market is not being adequately served by existing solutions.

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Dec - 2020 -
31 December
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: 3 lessons learned about supply chain AI, machine learning

There is no shortage of opportunities for AI and machine learning to be applied to the solution of big problems in global supply chains.

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25 December
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Shipamax helps logistics firms automate data entry

“Shipamax delivers data entry automation across entire logistics organizations,” says CEO and co-founder Jenna Brown.

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19 December
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: SEDNA Systems improves how teams work worldwide

A goal for 2021 is for SEDNA Systems to go beyond the automatic organization and routing of email by extracting the valuable business and operational information that is encoded and trapped within the email communications flowing in and out of the companies that are SEDNA’s customers.

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10 December
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: AI, machine learning generate insights on global ag for Gro Intelligence

The market for reliable, complete data and forecasts about agricultural commodities markets is a large and growing opportunity.

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Nov - 2020 -
26 November
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Chain of Demand applies AI, machine learning to retail supply chain profitability

As it becomes necessary to take an increasing number of sources and types of data into account, the case for shifting away from simple spreadsheets and onto more sophisticated platforms will gain strength.

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20 November
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Pathmind applies AI, machine learning to industrial operations

“We automate tasks that our users find tedious or frustrating so that they can focus on what’s interesting.”

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11 November
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: MIT’s Sheffi — a profile in supply chain, innovation and technology

Now is the time to get quick approvals for technology and innovations that will help meet customers’ needs and wants during uncertain times.

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Oct - 2020 -
26 October
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: How Japan’s ABEJA helps large companies operationalize AI, machine learning

ABEJA has developed proprietary tools to ensure that its AI Consulting engagements do not metastasize into endless ordeals.

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15 October
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Savitude and StyleSage leverage AI, machine learning in fashion retail

Fashion industry incumbents that have failed to adopt technology to strengthen their business models are at significant risk, particularly as the pandemic accelerates a number of trends.

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08 October
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Can AI and machine learning improve the economy?

By the time entrenched incumbents awaken to the threats posed by newly developed general purpose technologies (GPTs), a crop of challengers who had no option but to adopt the new GPT at the outset has become powerful enough to threaten the financial stability of an industry.

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01 October
Sep - 2020 -
24 September
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: How AI and machine learning improve supply chain visibility, shipping insurance

The insurance underwriting process historically has relied on data that is updated only periodically.

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16 September
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Understanding the data issues that slow adoption of industrial AI

Industrial AI requires data from physical processes enhanced with digital capabilities through sensors and other connected devices.

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10 September
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: The enabling technologies for the networks of the future

The shift to 5G technology will bring challenges that require companies to enhance the skills of their network managers.

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03 September
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: The enabling technologies for the factories of the future

In this installment of the AI in Supply Chain series (#AIinSupplyChain), we explore the topic of industrial supply chains and factories of the future.

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Aug - 2020 -
27 August
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Applying AI to decision-making in shipping and commodities markets

Innovation in the maritime industry relies on top-down mandates that are complicated by multilayered regulatory regimes and compliance requirements.

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11 August
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Bulgaria’s Transmetrics uses augmented intelligence to help customers

Bulgaria-based Transmetrics is helping its supply chain customers by using augmented intelligence. Learn more!

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05 August
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: FleetOps tries to solve data fragmentation issues in trucking

The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of FreightWaves or its affiliates.   Author’s Disclosure: I am not an investor in […]

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Jul - 2020 -
28 July
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Optimizing a truck fleet using artificial intelligence

Brian Aoaeh continues his commentary series on artificial intelligence and how it is changing supply chains.

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22 July
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: SmartHop brings AI to owner-operators and brokers

Brian Aoaeh continues a series of commentaries on technology-driven innovations in supply chains, logistics and trucking.

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17 July
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Combine optimization, machine learning and simulation to move freight

Brian Aoaeh writes about new technologies that will transform supply chains and logistics in the near-term.

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07 July
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Optimal Dynamics – the decision layer of logistics?

Optimal Dynamics seeks to automatically optimize trucking flight operations. Brian Aoaeh profiles the company and interviewed its founder and CEO.

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Jun - 2020 -
19 June
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: COVID-19 pushes India down path to digitized trade documentation

Digitization of forms and the use of blockchain will cut costs and time from the supply chain. Brian Aoaeh writes about those issues in India.

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15 June
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Another freight forwarding disruptor joins the fray

Beacon is a UK-based digital freight forwarder – one of many that have vowed to disrupt the freight forwarding industry.

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10 June
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: FedEx/Microsoft partnership points to era of supply chain platforms

The alliance between FedEx and Microsoft may change supply chains,. Brian Aoaeh explores the issues involved.

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May - 2020 -
28 May
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Digital freight brokers face a moment of truth

The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of FreightWaves or its affiliates.  News reports that Uber is re-evaluating non-core units […]

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19 May
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: How are shipping and freight professionals adjusting to COVID-19?

Brian Aoaeh provides statistics and insight into how freight and shipping professionals are working during the pandemic.

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12 May
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: How are freight professionals adjusting to COVID-19?

The world of transportation has changed due to COVID-19. Read about how shipping professionals are adapting to those changes.

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Apr - 2020 -
30 April
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: More on how to collaborate during crises

The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of FreightWaves or its affiliates.  On Friday, April 17, FreightWaves ran my Commentary: […]

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23 April
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: How supply chain startups are surviving COVID-19

Brian Aoaeh interviews CEOs of several supply chain tech startups about their status during the pandemic.

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17 April
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Grassroots organizations move faster in crises

In this commentary by Brian Aoaeh makes the case that efforts by grassroots organizations in the fight against COVID-19 should be more fully accepted.

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09 April
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Can supply chain tech startups survive COVID-19?

Businesses around the world are being affected by the pandemic. Among the hardest hit are startups. Brian Aoaeh offers advice for tech startups in the supply chain space.

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02 April
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: LifeBank Nigeria saves lives in Africa

The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of FreightWaves or its affiliates.  There are certain markets that the average person […]

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Mar - 2020 -
16 March
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Supply Chain Caucus established in U.S. House of Representatives

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives have formed the Supply Chain Caucus. Read why this is important for all of us.

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05 March
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Is 2020 the year of supply chain risk?

Brian Aoaeh explores the vulnerability of supply chains in an interconnected world that is threatened by a potential pandemic.

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Feb - 2020 -
28 February
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Exogenous variables dominate a world with VUCA

Brian Aoaeh explores unforeseen shocks to global supply chains and global commerce.

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17 February
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Toshiba’s simulated bifurcation machines may optimize your supply chain

Brian Aoaeh explains how simulated bifurcation technology may change supply chain operations in the near future.

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10 February
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Can software meaningfully increase economic productivity In trucking?

Brian Aoaeh writes about the use of software and technology in the trucking industry.

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Jan - 2020 -
31 January
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: What is the state of blockchain in the supply chain?

The views expressed here are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of FreightWaves or its affiliates. Much of the discourse and sentiment surrounding the […]

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21 January
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Davos 2020 is about supply chains, disguised as climate change

The World Economic Forum opened today. Climate change is the most-feared risk of respondents to a WEF poll. Brian Aoaeh comments that disruption of global supply chains is the real fear.

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16 January
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Modernizing Africa’s logistics capacity, one startup at a time

Brian Aoaeh writes about the challenges and opportunities of logistics in Africa – and what will likely occur in the next few years.

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10 January
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Responding to readers’ reactions

A number of readers responded to Brian Aoaeh’s 12/26/19 “Commentary: Trucking industry observations heading into 2020.” His current commentary features some of those responses and information from Anthony Campo, a trucking industry veteran.

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06 January
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Taming the tsunami of post-holiday ecommerce returns

Brian Aoaeh writes about the “other” side of ecommerce – the returns of unwanted merchandise and how retailers are handling the issue.

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Dec - 2019 -
30 December
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: What’s ahead for climate change and industrial supply chains

Brian Aoaeh writes about the convergence of climate change activitism and the need to modify supply chains going forward.

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26 December
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Trucking industry observations heading into 2020

Brian Aoaeh writes about key trucking events in 2019 and looks ahead to 2020.

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18 December
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Three ways startups are tackling food waste

For many people around the world, celebrating the holidays involves sharing food with family and friends. As we approach the holidays to celebrate the end of 2019 and the beginning […]

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05 December
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Can technology alleviate ecommerce injuries?

Brian Aoaeh writes about workplace injuries and workplace safety in the ecommerce age…

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Nov - 2019 -
27 November
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Observations made on the future of supply chains from #FWLIVE Chicago

Brian Aoaeh offers observations about the future of supply chains following his attendance at the recent FreightWaves LIVE event .

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20 November
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: What does the future look like for energy supply chains?

Brian Aoaeh writes about changes in the energy/fuel mix over the next 30 years in developed and developing economies.

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14 November
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Fighting food waste by mapping food supply chains

Brian Aoaeh writes about ongoing efforts to fight food waste by improving food supply chains.

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05 November
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Why are digital freight brokers struggling to solve their Uber-scale problems?

On October 29, Bloomberg published an article by Dina Bass, “The ‘Uber for Trucking’ Tries to Navigate Some Uber-Scale Problems.” That was followed by Craig Fuller’s article, Is winter coming […]

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Oct - 2019 -
30 October
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Modern autonomous supply chains need an easy way to enable trust and security

Brian Aoaeh writes about threats to supply chains from cyber attacks and the need for increased cyber security.

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21 October
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Will auto companies bring blockchain into real-world supply chains first?

The global auto industry may be the first industry to use blockchain extensively. Read how and why.

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16 October
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Wolfgang Lehmacher – a profile in supply chain, innovation and technology

Market Voice Brian Aoaeh has a fascinating interview with Wolfgang Lehmacher,, an expert on global supply chains (and much more)!

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09 October
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: What opportunities exist for tech startups in food supply chains?

Since writing about the challenges ahead for food supply chains, I have been thinking about how perishable foods and other items are transported from one part of the world to […]

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01 October
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Your supply chain is part of your consumer experience

Market voice Brian Aoaeh writes about how a company’s supply chain can help or hurt its image with its customers, the media and investors.

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Sep - 2019 -
23 September
Brian Aoaeh

Why Freight Derivatives Are Here To Stay in the Trucking Industry

Brian Aoaeh explains why the trucking industry is ready for freight derivatives.

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17 September
Brian Aoaeh

Innovation in global supply chains will be driven by consumer attitudes towards climate change

For a long time supply chains have been regulated to the very distant background. That is changing, and I think it is faster than we realize.

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11 September
Brian Aoaeh

Why digital freight brokers might fail to disrupt the freight brokerage industry

Brian Laung Aoaeh discusses innovation, technology, and disruption in the freight brokerage market.

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05 September
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Hurricane Dorian and thinking about extreme weather events

Brian Aoaeh writes about the disruption to supply chains caused by hurricanes and extreme weather.

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Aug - 2019 -
26 August
13 August
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Three observations about the adoption of distributed ledger technology in supply chain

Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) and blockchain is becoming more mainstream. Information about a new study of DLT provides details.

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06 August
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Competition in e-commerce is heating up!

Global e-commerce continues to grow, and grow, and grow. Market voice Brian Aoaeh writes about the move of e-commerce giants to establish their own fulfillment services.

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Jul - 2019 -
30 July
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Applying machine learning to improve the supply chain

Brian Aoaeh writes about the use of machine learning to improve supply chains, particularly in the context of decreasing greenhouse gas emissions.

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23 July
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: How can machine learning be applied to improve transportation?

Brian Aoaeh writes about how machine learning and artificial intelligence can be used to improve transportation and decrease emissions.

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15 July
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Are the cycles of destruction to Louisiana’s freight infrastructure inevitable?

In the wake of Hurricane Barry, Brian Aoaeh writes about the disruption to supply chains that hurricanes and flooding can do. In particular, the state of Louisiana and its ports are critical to the U.S. agriculture and energy industries.

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10 July
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: The challenges ahead for food supply chains

Brian Aoaeh writes about changes that need to be made to the food supply chain to deter food waste and food loss.

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02 July
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: What does the National Climate Assessment say about future risks for supply chains?

Brian Aoaeh has written a thought-provoking commentary on the impact of climate change on supply chains, and what governments, companies and startups can do to mitigate supply chain disruptions.

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Jun - 2019 -
26 June
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Three themes driving a new era of competition in supply chain

FreightWaves features Market Voices – a forum for contributors with unique knowledge of numerous transportation/logistics/supply chain sectors, as well as other critical expertise. Last week the Worldwide Supply Chain Federation […]

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18 June
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: What role will data standards organizations play in a world powered by artificial intelligence?

Market expert Brian Aoaeh writes about the new Digital Shipping Container Alliance and why standards are important to industry. He also writes about why getting standards written and adopted is particularly difficult.

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11 June
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Key supply chain innovation issues to consider in a world with VUCA

Market expert Brian Aoaeh writes about the supply chain and how the world, business and ecommerce are changing due to ongoing innovations.

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04 June
Brian Aoaeh

Commentary: Trade disputes will disrupt global trade and supply chains

Market expert writes about how current trade issues between the U.S. and China, the U.S. and Mexico and the U.S. and the EU may disrupt supply chains and cause economic problems.

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May - 2019 -
29 May
Brian Aoaeh

The democratization of data arrives for supply chain logistics

Market expert Brian Aoaeh writes about the impact of severe weather on supply chains, and tools to help companies and organizations modify those supply chains when disaster strikes.

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22 May
Brian Aoaeh

Our trash is a looming crisis for planet Earth

Market expert Brian Aoaeh writes about the world’s problems with trash and garbage – and what must be done before it overwhelms humanity.

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13 May
Brian Aoaeh

Why you should be rooting for startups like Uber

Market expert Brian Aoaeh explains why all of us should be rooting for Uber, Lyft and other startups. Read why!

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10 May
Brian Aoaeh

Is disruption finally underway in the freight brokerage industry?

Market expert Brian Aoaeh writes about the impact of market disruption on the freight brokerage sector. Learn how Amazon, artificial intelligence, machine learning and other disruptors will change the business…

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Apr - 2019 -
30 April
Brian Aoaeh

Big changes looming in the maritime industry – its only just begun!

Market expert Brian Aoaeh’s article focuses on the current and upcoming maritime industry issues – IMO 2020, global warming, rising sea levels, etc. Read Brian’s take on how the maritime industry is meeting these challenges.

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23 April
Brian Aoaeh

Logistics network optimization – why this time is different

In his first FreightWaves article, market expert Brian Aoaeh writes about logistics network optimization. He explains how new technology, venture capital money and changing market conditions have converged to open up new opportunities across the global supply chain.

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