Episode #06: Bottleneck Europe: Geopolitics & Supply Chain Dependency with Prof. Sebastian Kummer

“For decades, we focused on cost optimisation and single sourcing. Today, true resilience requires regional diversity and building real options.”  With geopolitical conflicts threatening critical chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz, supply chain dependencies have again become front-page news. As governments and companies face unprecedented scrutiny, the fragility of our interconnected world is more apparent than ever. In this episode of Supply Chain Superintelligence, Marco Felsberger speaks with Prof. Sebastian Kummer, a logistics and supply chain expert at the University of Economics and Business in Vienna. They unpack why companies must balance immediate crisis response with long-term strategic resilience. Prof. Kummer explains why staying calm during maritime disruptions is often the smartest move, how long-term semiconductor shortages pose a greater structural risk than temporary energy shocks, and why the future of resilience lies in robust data security and leveraging artificial intelligence. Key insights: Evaluating supply chain design must now equally balance cost, ecological impact, and risk. Long-term dependencies on foreign technology and processing capacity pose severe structural risks. Artificial intelligence will drive future resilience, making robust data security essential. 00:00 - Introduction: The Era of Fragile Supply Chains 01:04 - Strait of Hormuz & Maritime Shipping Realities 05:50 - Energy Prices, Inflation & Chemical Industry Impacts 08:09 - Lessons from Covid: Safety Stocks & Contingency Plans 12:10 - The Semiconductor Bottleneck & US-China Relations 19:32 - Strategies for Resilience: Scenarios & Diversification 28:58 - Europe's Geopolitical Standing & Energy Challenges 32:23 - The Future: AI, Education & Data Security About Prof. Sebastian Kummer  Prof. Sebastian Kummer is Head of the Institute for Transport and Logistics Management at the Vienna University of Economics and Business and an Endowed Chair at Jilin University, China.  Known as a widely published academic, he advises global companies and government bodies on supply chain resilience and navigating complex disruption. About Marco Felsberger Marco Felsberger, Senior Advisor for Supply Chain Resilience at Prewave, is a risk and resilience specialist with over 15 years of experience helping organisations strengthen business continuity, crisis response, and supply chain security. He brings a sharp, systems-focused approach to navigating geopolitical risk and building resilient supply chains. Resources & Links Visit Prewave:⁠ https://www.prewave.com/⁠ Don’t Miss Out Follow the Supply Chain Superintelligence podcast for more expert conversations on regulation, resilience, and the geopolitical forces reshaping global supply chains.