At the 2025 Virginia Maritime Association Symposium, Matt Belanus and Kelsey Muruato of Mark-it Express Logistics joined other leading voices from across the logistics and drayage sectors to discuss the state of global trade and supply chain resilience. Their takeaways were clear: trade turbulence is reshaping logistics strategy, and shippers are looking to turn to trusted partnerships to gain the real competitive advantage.

From rerouted container lines and blanked sailings to ongoing tariff uncertainty and international unrest, shippers are seeking reliability, visibility, and transparency—values that define Mark-it Express. 

As an asset-based provider with broad drayage operations across Chicago, Kansas City, Indianapolis, and Detroit, Mark-it continues to provide stability in a volatile market.

The Changing Trade Landscape

Key themes emerged throughout the symposium discussions:

  • Unease with Non-Asset Carriers: Many shippers are shifting away from non-asset carriers, seeking more control and reliability in uncertain times. 
  • Vertical Integration Concerns: With ocean carriers investing in and acquiring other components of the supply chain, such as 3PLs, truckers, and drayage services, there’s growing hesitation among cargo owners and others about relying too heavily on vertically integrated providers. 
  • Tariff Volatility: Constantly changing tariffs make import planning difficult, pushing some exporters—especially from China—to target Europe and Africa as destinations for their goods instead of the U.S. 
  • Global Trade Resilience: While the U.S. market recalibrates, global partners are already adapting and thriving. The world isn’t waiting—it’s diversifying. 

Mark-it Express: A Steady Hand Amid Disruption

Kelsey Muruato summed it up perfectly: “The norm has become disruption.”

Ten years ago, logistics wasn’t boring—it was evolving. The rise of e-commerce, port congestion, regulatory changes, and the first wave of freight visibility technology were already reshaping supply chains and redefining what efficiency meant.

 

At that same time, Mark-It Express was in its early years, growing from its foundation in 2009 and already starting to revamp itself for the future we operate in today. While many “pandemic-born” carriers are still learning to navigate industry volatility, Mark-It has spent over a decade studying and adapting to these very disruptions. That long-term experience allows us not only to anticipate challenges but to deliver stability, transparency, and trust in an ever-changing logistics landscape.

 

That’s why Mark-It Express remains proudly independent. We’re built to last, not flip. For over a decade, we’ve focused on creating sustainable partnerships, transparent operations, and long-term stability in an industry that’s too often defined by consolidation and volatility.

Like other steady sectors—real estate, manufacturing, and finance—logistics thrives when new companies, bold ideas, and diverse participants enter the market. Growth and innovation create opportunity, drive healthy competition, and raise industry standards. But rapid expansion can also attract short-term players who chase volume over value—often disappearing as quickly as they appear, taking trust and accountability with them.

 

Stability, longevity, reputation, and service are the pillars of success, regardless of how the international trade landscape is portrayed. During times plagued by disruption and instability, Mark-it Express stands apart by offering the one thing every shipper wants but fewer and fewer providers can guarantee—reliability backed by real assets and truly private ownership.

 

With owned equipment, dedicated drivers, and customized drayage solutions, Mark-It Express ensures every move—whether import, export, or domestic—is executed with precision. Our Beneficial Cargo Owner (BCO) program, along with dedicated capacity and asset assurances for NVOCCs and freight forwarders, provides the stability and transparency global partners depend on. Through technology-driven visibility tools, we deliver real-time updates and operational control—empowering shippers and logistics providers to plan confidently and stay connected every step of the way.

Key Takeaways from Matt & Kelsey

  • Visibility and Transparency Are Non-Negotiable. Real-time data and proactive communication are the new baseline for trust. 
  • Partnerships should matter more than price—but too often, they don’t. When shippers focus solely on cost, they sacrifice consistency, communication, and long-term reliability. The strongest supply chains are built on trust, not just transactions. 
  • Adaptability is the New Advantage, as trade routes shift, flexible and asset-backed logistics providers like Mark-it become indispensable. 
  • Information is Currency. Learning the “basics” of logistics now requires an understanding of how tariffs and trade impact your shipments. Partnering with a logistics expert can help ensure you stay informed and compliant.   

As tariffs fluctuate and global trade routes evolve, Mark-it Express continues to deliver stability through asset-backed reliability, real-time visibility, and trusted customer partnerships. In an industry defined by uncertainty, those who prioritize transparency and technology-driven operations will lead the next chapter of supply chain success. For more information or to learn more about Mark-it Express’s service, contact us today.