• Navia Freight has positioned itself as a strategic, tech-enabled freight forwarder, using its proprietary NaviaHub platform for SKU-level visibility, predictive cost modelling, live routing optimisation, and integrated customs expertise to help clients navigate volatile trade environments and tariff fluctuations.
• The company combines regional teams with centralised decision frameworks to ensure compliance, proactive risk mitigation, and supply-chain agility, including scenario planning, supply diversification, and sector-specific airfreight strategies for industries like automotive, healthcare, and electronics.
• Navia emphasises transparency, sustainability, and real-time communication, providing carbon-emission tracking, customer notifications, and consultative guidance, while its platform and operational alignment support faster, informed decisions, flexible capacity management, and measurable performance outcomes across global airfreight networks.

As tariffs surge and policy changes ripple across global markets, the role of freight forwarders has evolved beyond transportation. Today, success hinges on the ability to combine strategic foresight with real-time responsiveness. Few companies understand this better than Navia Freight.

While many logistics providers chase disruption with glossy tech and inflated promises, Navia has taken a different path-one grounded in industry knowledge and purposeful innovation. Its platform, NaviaHub, isn’t a standalone solution bolted on for effect; it’s a deeply integrated, proprietary system designed to support real-world freight complexities. With features like SKU-level visibility, predictive cost modelling, and live routing optimisation, NaviaHub has become a decision-support tool for clients navigating increasingly volatile environments. And with a multi-regional footprint and embedded customs expertise, Navia is helping its customers stay agile, compliant, and informed – empowering them to act decisively amid uncertainty.

“Our global footprint, spanning nine strategic locations, allows us to deliver integrated supply chain solutions backed by deep local insight,” said Alana Raitt, Global Director of Airfreight at Navia Freight. “Regional teams provide real-time responsiveness to evolving trade regulations, including sudden tariff changes or market-specific barriers.”

By embedding local expertise into a centralised decision framework, Navia helps customers stay ahead of disruption and remain compliant across jurisdictions.

“By combining on-the-ground customs expertise with a centralised strategy—supported by end-to-end visibility through NaviaHub—we help clients navigate complexity with confidence,” Raitt added.

Adapting to tariffs

“Since the US government have imposed tariffs on Chinese imports, Navia have been working closely with importers to firstly, conduct a full review and analysis of their customs and trade compliance to ensure the customer fully understands their risk exposure,” Rob Ardesi, Navia Freight’s Chief Operations Officer, stated

Emphasising a dual strategy—compliance assessment followed by intelligent restructuring of the supply chain, with a focus on areas clients can control, Ardesi highlighted how the “focus is always on what is within the customer’s sphere of control and working with them to optimise this.”

This is enabled by data. “We’ve built NaviaHub not just as a tracking tool, but as a live decision-support platform,” Raitt explained. “It delivers SKU-level visibility, exception management, landed cost modelling, and predictive insights.”

By integrating inventory forecasting with real-time routing optimisation, the platform allows clients to make agile procurement decisions amid fluctuating conditions.

“Data becomes a big piece of supporting our customers—whether it’s forecasting landed costs or identifying alternative routing opportunities that reduce exposure to border and regulatory risk,” Ardesi added.

Regional teams lead the charge

As global supply chains grow more complex, regulatory compliance is no longer a post-shipment consideration—it must be baked into the freight execution model. For Navia, this begins with in-house customs teams embedded in each region.

“Compliance isn’t just a checkpoint, it’s a core capability,” Ardesi said. “Our in-house customs teams across key regions work proactively to validate documentation, audit tariff classifications, and optimise duty exposure.”

Beyond operational clearance, these teams offer strategic guidance. “They’re in daily contact with regional authorities and our clients, ensuring seamless clearance and risk mitigation,” he continued. “Our teams provide consultative trade compliance support, helping customers apply correct HS codes, classification, and country-specific exemptions.”

This rapid-response structure is complemented by internal escalation frameworks, allowing swift resolution of classification or valuation concerns. “We constantly evolve our approach as regulations shift,” Raitt highlighted.

Proactive risk mitigation

As trade tensions and geopolitical shifts threaten traditional sourcing patterns, Navia’s response is rooted in agility and preemptive adaptation. “At Navia, we take a proactive and informed approach to mitigating trade-related risks,” says Raitt. “Our teams are not only experts in their respective freight modes—they are deeply invested in the industry.”

That industry immersion allows them to pre-empt bottlenecks and advise clients on supply diversification. “We regularly support clients in diversifying their supply sources across regions, helping reduce dependency on single-country origins,” she explained.

Using NaviaHub, the team optimises port and carrier selection in real time, ensuring routing is responsive to sudden market changes. “Because our people are continuously researching trends and staying ahead of geopolitical developments, we’re able to act quickly and decisively,” Raitt continued. “This ensures we can reroute freight efficiently, minimise cost exposure, and maintain service continuity.”

Tailored strategies

Industries like automotive, healthcare, and electronics require a tailored approach to airfreight—particularly when tariffs alter the cost-benefit balance of express versus deferred services.

“Our airfreight team operates as a high-touch, white-glove service, where each shipment is assessed not just by urgency, but by the vertical and tariff implications it carries,” Raitt expressed.

In one case, the team helped a client restructure their supply model in response to rising China tariffs. “They worked with our team to redesign their supply chain—splitting cargo across express, premium, and deferred transit times,” she outlined. “This allowed them to significantly reduce landed costs while still meeting delivery expectations.”

Keeping clients informed

Uncertainty in global trade underscores the need for transparent, proactive communication. Navia integrates multiple channels to keep clients aware of changes that may impact shipments or costs.

“Communication is at the centre of our client partnerships,” Ardesi said. “Our teams engage daily with customers to provide real-time insights, not just about their shipments, but the wider trade environment.”

NaviaHub enhances this with in-platform notifications, SMS alerts, and automated updates. “We also maintain a steady stream of insights via LinkedIn, trade alert emails, and monthly market intelligence updates,” he revealed.

Anticipating policy shifts

Navia closely tracks developments in the US, China, and EU markets—particularly policy changes that directly impact airfreight flows.

“Navia proactively monitors and anticipates policy changes by closely tracking developments in key global markets,” Ardesi laid out.

Scenario planning is conducted internally, allowing teams to adjust routing and procurement before issues escalate. “We swiftly adjusted procurement strategies and explored alternative routing options to protect our clients’ supply chains and control landed costs,” he noted.

This foresight is supported by cross-departmental briefings that align operations, procurement, and commercial strategies.

“Navia’s airfreight strategy is built on preparedness, flexibility, and informed decision-making,” Raitt concluded.

Sustainability in practice

Environmental accountability remains a priority, even as trade tensions require agility in routing.

“We offer full carbon emissions visibility per shipment, made available on both invoices and through our customer platform, NaviaHub,” Raitt said.

Clients can participate in offsetting programmes, including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) contributions, via partner Lune. “We aim to work with carriers aligned with sustainability initiatives, and wherever possible, consolidate freight to reduce environmental impact.”

Navia’s approach goes beyond external messaging—its teams are internally trained to understand and support ESG goals. “We know ESG isn’t just a trend—it’s the future of global logistics,” Raitt highlighted.

Digital growth

Looking ahead, Navia is focused on consolidating its leadership through strategic procurement, technology deployment, and sector-specific expertise.

“We’re proactively managing the impacts of shifting trade policies—by securing flexible capacity, leveraging real-time analytics, and delivering tailored, sector-specific solutions,” Raitt explained.

Ardesi reinforced the internal alignment supporting this effort: “We’ve also aligned our leadership and frontline teams around clear KPIs, fostering accountability, responsiveness, and measurable outcomes across the network.”

NaviaHub remains central to these improvements, offering real-time performance tracking and operational control. “Ultimately, Navia’s position in the global airfreight market is built on trust, speed, and execution,” Raitt said. “We combine a strong international footprint with local, hands-on expertise—giving us the ability to respond quickly and make informed decisions where it matters most.”