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Navigating AI Security in Ports & Intermodal Shipping

by Dave Akers, IHSA "Ignore AI, and you’ll own the next Blockbuster card.” — Arianna Huffington AI is significantly enhancing the security and safety of maritime shipping containers in 2026. This transformation has moved from experimental pilots to practical, real-time applications that protect against both physical and digital threats. These are some of the uses developed…

Groundhog Day and Tariffs

by Craig Brightup, The Brightup Group — On Feb. 2, the famous groundhog Punxsutawney Phil emerged from his burrow on Gobbler’s Knob and saw his shadow, predicting six more weeks of winter. Perhaps businesses impacted by the International Emergency Economic Powers Act tariffs (the “reciprocal” and “fentanyl” IEEPA tariffs) might have to wait that long for the Supreme Court…

Navigating AI in Open Shipping

by Dave Akers, IHSA "Artificial Intelligence is no match for natural stupidity." — Albert Einstein Many of us already use AI technology in our workplace and realize the time and productivity advantages it affords us. We also know that AI is something that must be controlled and checked for accuracy. But through use and mastery, it can become more accurate and…

IEEPA Refunds, CIT Lawsuits and Tariff Retreats

by Craig Brightup, The Brightup Group — With many legal observers predicting the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) will rule against President Trump’s ability to use the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose “reciprocal tariffs” on some 200 countries and “fentanyl tariffs” on Canada, Mexico and China, American companies that paid the tariffs…

Navigating China “Nearshoring” to North America?

by Dave Akers, IHSA "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." - Ancient Chinese proverb, Lao Tzu Most of us have heard this (translated) Ancient Chinese proverb, but the Chinese have adopted this ancient proverb. The essential concept of this proverb is that huge goals must be broken down into smaller, manageable parts and that it can be applied to all…

Potential IEEPA Tariff Refunds

by Craig Brightup, The Brightup Group — On Nov. 5, 2025, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) heard oral arguments on whether the Trump Administration can use the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose “reciprocal tariffs” on some 200 countries and “fentanyl tariffs” on Canada, Mexico and China. The tariff cases, Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump and Trump v.…

Navigating Decarbonization of Ocean Shipping

by Dave Akers, IHSA "In a huge step toward our 2050 carbon neutrality goal, the company has declared war on the office thermostat" - Unknown The decarbonization of ocean shipping is a critical global effort of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to reduce the maritime industry's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with the goal of reaching net-zero emissions by or…

November Trade and Tariff Updates

by Craig Brightup, The Brightup Group — This edition reviews trade agreements from President Trump’s Asia trip; a new investigation into China’s compliance with previous agreements; adding more International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA) tariff exemptions; and recent Senate votes rejecting President Trump’s tariffs. President Trump’s Asia Trade Agreements President…

Navigating SCOTUS and POTUS Tariff Legality

by Dave Akers, IHSA A federal appeals court ruling that said the President does not have authority to impose broad tariffs, has introduced significant uncertainty into the U.S. tariff landscape. "Inflation is the one form of taxation that can be imposed without legislation." – Milton Friedman Here's a breakdown of the current situation and its impact on the global…