TPM, organized by the Journal of Commerce by S&P Global, is a leading conference for professionals in the global shipping and logistics industry.
The theme for this year was "Taking Costs Out, Putting Value In." A central focus of TPM26 was helping industry stakeholders navigate an evolving trade landscape influenced by tariffs, with an emphasis on identifying strategies to reduce costs without unnecessarily increasing supply chain risk.
At the event, we engaged with our customers, gained valuable insights and networked with our industry peers. Shared below is our event round-up:
Vanguard Logistics Customer Appreciation Event
On Monday night, we hosted our TPM Customer Appreciation Event, welcoming over 350+ customers and partners.
The event offered a valuable platform for attendees, from diverse backgrounds and organizations, to engage in networking, address challenges, and identify shared interests and mutually beneficial opportunities.
We greatly value the conversations we had with our customers, vendors, and partners. These discussions gave us a chance to discuss today's industry needs and discuss the outlook for the upcoming year.
Insights from our CEO at the Customer Appreciation Event
Nikhil Malik, CEO of Vanguard Logistics, emphasized the importance of strong partnerships in today's ever-changing industry landscape.
He stated, “In today's volatile climate, strong partnerships matter most. At Vanguard Logistics, we are proud to say that relationships are at the core of our business.
Our customers are our top priority. We are committed to innovating, adapting, and most importantly, listening. Your feedback and aspirations drive our evolution.”
Despite significant changes in the industry over the years, Vanguard Logistics’ dedication to providing reliable, high-quality LCL services worldwide remains unchanged.
He concluded, “Every shipment shows confidence in us – confidence we work hard every single day to earn.”
Conference topics and trends
The conference covered a wide range of topics including artificial intelligence, best practices, procurement and geopolitical changes. Some key themes discussed were:
Technology: Some sessions explored whether artificial intelligence should be integrated directly within core logistics platforms—such as TMS, procurement, inventory, and visibility systems—or implemented externally as a layer spanning multiple systems. Others explored rising user expectations and the important of integrations versus working in silos.
Ocean Shipping Procurement: Sessions focused on exploring the disruptive impact of shifting tariffs, changing sourcing patterns, and evolving carrier alliances. Important questions about the return of traditional seasonality, the role of service providers, and the use of AI-driven and index-linked procurement strategies were raised.
Strategy and planning: Insightful sessions addressed how we are seeing a transition from short-term tactical responses to long-term strategic planning amid ongoing US tariff uncertainty and significant duties. There has been a strong focus on supply chain resilience.
This concludes TPM 2026. We look forward to next year’s developments and priorities.