Forto Webinar

Beyond the Red Sea: Is your supply chain built for 10,000 extra miles?

Virtual - Online
Apr 15, 2026
11:00am - 12:00pm Europe/Berlin

Christopher Braun

Director of Air Freight

Stefan Hartmann

Head of Trade Asia Europe

Renate Härle (Moderator)

Director of Marketing

About this event

Q1 2026 showed that disruptions in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz are not just temporary challenges. With no real return to Suez routing in sight, longer routes are becoming the new normal.

So what does that mean for you?

In this session, you’ll get a clear view on how these changes impact your transit times, costs, and planning and what you should do now to stay ahead.

Join Forto’s experts as they break down what’s changing across ocean and air freight, and why waiting for things to “go back to normal” is no longer a strategy.

In this session you will learn:

From disruption to structure: Why rerouting via the Cape of Good Hope is becoming a long-term reality and what that means for your supply chain
Ocean freight network shifts: How changing services, capacity, and schedules will impact your planning and reliability
Air freight as a buffer: When and how to use air freight strategically to protect your operations
Impact on planning & costs: What 10,000 extra miles mean for your lead times, inventory strategy, and budget
Strategic outlook for Q2 and beyond: Why reacting is no longer enough and how to adapt to ongoing complexity

About the speakers

Christopher Braun

Director of Air Freight

Chris leads Forto’s Air Freight Unit with a clear vision for the future of digital freight forwarding. Drawing upon nearly 25 years of experience gained from key positions within global logistics leaders, he brings a strategic perspective and deep industry knowledge. His passion for people and driving change is evident in his approach to leading the Air Freight unit. Outside of work, his enthusiasm for aviation extends to building his own flight simulator.
Stefan Hartmann

Head of Trade Asia Europe

Stefan Hartmann led the Asia-Europe trade at Forto, bringing over 25 years of experience in global logistics. Before joining Forto, he held key trade management roles at Panalpina, Geodis, and Hellmann, overseeing Asia-Europe operations at both country and regional levels.

His career spans major industry events, from the 2008 financial crisis to the Red Sea disruptions in 2024, giving him deep expertise in navigating global trade challenges.
Renate Härle (Moderator)

Director of Marketing

Renate is a marketing leader with over 20 years of experience, passionate about the power of communication, AI, and collaboration in driving business success. As Director of Marketing at Forto, she shapes strategy, brand positioning, and digital transformation. She is driven by a mission to make marketing more impactful, leveraging innovation and clear messaging to create meaningful connections.