GEOPOLITICAL unrest in places like Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Nepal, Japan, the USA, and across Europe may disrupt supply chains through protests, regulatory shifts, and ‘unstable’ governments, according to a report published by global logistics provider Dimerco Express Group.
‘These events can lead to port slowdowns, border delays, and unpredictable sourcing changes, especially in labor, raw materials, and transport logistics,’ Dimerco’s Asia Pacific Freight report for October 2025 noted.
October is a ‘turning point’ for global logistics, according to Kathy Liu, Vice President for Global Sales and Marketing at Dimerco Express Group, as this month is hounded by ‘peak-season demand, layered with geopolitical uncertainty and tariff changes.’
These developments, she pointed out, are creating ‘one of the most complex supply chain environments we’ve seen in years.’
As such, she advised businesses to ‘stay agile, plan early, and diversify their logistics strategies to mitigate disruptions.’
Dimerco said the October report highlights growing geopolitical risks-including protests, regulatory changes and trade negotiations ‘that could further destabilize supply chain operations.’
The global logistics provider said these are the developments along the supply chain that countries should watch out for, on top of the rising freight rates amid peak season.
In the case of the Philippines, goods being shipped through the seas may be slapped with higher freight rates in October 2025.
Dimerco’s freight report showed that ocean freight rates imposed on Philippine cargo bound for Asia, Europe and the United States are seen to rise this month.
As to the capacity of this cargo, the report said market is picking up, but demand of space can still be met by current supply.
In terms of the rates that may apply on Philippine cargo being shipped by air, the freight report divulged that only products bound for the United States may see rising freight rates.
Air freight rate for goods transported bound for Asia will remain stable in October with ‘soft’ capacity, meaning supply is greater than demand. Meanwhile, Philippine goods bound for Europe will see stable air freight rate but capacity is on an upturn, meaning, market is picking up but demand of space can still be met by current supply.
For the air freight market of the Philippines, Dimerco cautioned that with La Niña expected to begin in October 2025, this may affect flight operations and cause temporary road closures.
Moreover, the report said: ‘Peak-season imports of holiday goods and year-end inventory may cause localized short-term capacity constraints and higher rates in late October to early November.’
Liu, Dimerco’s Vice President for Global Sales and Marketing, explained that September to November is always the peak season for air freight.
‘This year, demand growth is more focused on Southeast Asia, particularly Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Singapore,’ Liu said.
‘With high-tech, AI, and semiconductor production increasing in these countries, more finished goods are being shipped out. As a result, we expect capacity pressure at major transit hubs including Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Korea,’ she also noted.