Global supply chains are invisible, but they impact almost all the products and services we interact with. In this episode, Michael Giudice, VP of Air Logistics, Gateway Development and Procurement at Kuehne+Nagel, discusses the role of logistics service providers in the transportation of goods across countries, time zones, and modes of transport. They link suppliers and manufacturers to airlines, distribution, and ultimately the end consumer whilst managing the time, cost, and reliability of delivery.

Logistics involves several considerations. There are weight, space, and placement constraints for air and sea cargo. Therefore, logistics planners need to calculate both the volumetric weight and the gross weight to determine the most appropriate mode of transport. There is a significant amount of planning involved in cargo transport. Packaging, available space, route, and navigating customs can affect cost and delivery time. Improvements in aircraft materials and engine technology have also impacted freight transport by enhancing fuel efficiency, allowing more freight to be carried with fewer resources.

Michael Giudice also discusses how his interest in aviation led him to the logistics industry. He discusses how he completed a business degree and how logistics enabled him to combine elements of operations, physics, customer service, maths, and technology in his chosen role. Michael also shares the importance of understanding the logistics needs of sectors such as IT, medical, and semiconductors. He explains how logistics and supply chain education is increasing across universities and colleges as supply chains become increasingly complex.

Air logistics plays a key role in the transport of high-value, high-sensitivity, or time-critical items. Air freight accounts for less than 1% of global freight, but these shipments can include organ donors, pharmaceuticals, live animals, Formula One race cars, high-end vehicles, and more! Each of these items has special handling and often requires special packaging and monitoring.

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Michael Giudice, Vice President & Air Logistics Manager at Kuehne+Nagel Photo: Kuehne+Nagel

New technologies are beginning to enable logisticians to address some of these issues. Temperature monitoring, AI, disruption forecasting, and real-time GPS tracking are improving supply chain visibility and enabling businesses to be more resilient to disruption. Michael also discusses the potential impact of supersonic transport on time-critical freight.

This episode has demonstrated that technology can assist the logistics industry, but experience and strong relationships remain key to keeping global supply chains flowing.

Watch ‘Logistics in Motion’ on Tomorrow’s World Today!

Tune in on Saturday, October 31st at 10am/ET on the Science Channel and Sunday, November 1st at 8:30am on the Discovery Channel.

Plus, stream the episode on our YouTube Channel starting on November 2, 2026