The presentation of *The Art of Managing Logistics Risks* at the recent Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL) was neither a formal event nor just another publishing celebration. Above all, it was a statement of intent. In a context where supply chains operate under constant pressure—organized crime, global disruptions, accelerated nearshoring , and a still-incomplete culture of prevention— the book arrived at the FIL as an uncomfortable yet necessary piece: a reminder that logistics is not only about efficiency, but also about decisions that assume, transfer, and manage risk.

On December 3, 2025, at the MIND (Mexico Innovation and Design) building, the University of Guadalajara and the Council of Industrial Chambers of Jalisco (CCIJ) hosted a meeting where technical literature intersected with the operational realities of freight transport. The book—conceived as a practical manual covering claims prevention, insurance, adjustment, and subrogation—is the result of a collective effort bringing together specialists in logistics, cargo insurance, loss prevention, and risk management , under the editorial direction of Esaú M. Mendoza, Business Development Director of Keeper Cargo Insurance , and with the support of stakeholders representing various links in the logistics-insurance ecosystem.

From the outset, the tone of the meeting departed from corporate discourse. Diana Karina López Alfaro, cargo underwriter for the Latin American Association of Maritime Underwriters (ALSUM) , moderated the event, emphasizing the collaborative nature of the project and the collective effort that made it possible to bring it to a forum like the FIL (Guadalajara International Book Fair). But it was Esaú M. Mendoza’s presentation that set the emotional and conceptual tone of the event. Presenting at the FIL, he said, was not just about being on a stage: “The FIL is not just an event; it’s a symbol. It’s coming home .” Beyond the personal weight of his testimony, the message pointed to something deeper: technical knowledge also has a place in major cultural forums when it engages with real-world problems.

Mendoza linked the symbolic dimension of the FIL—the largest literary and academic forum in Latin America—with the book’s raison d’être. In an environment where the idea that “insurance doesn’t pay” still persists , the work was conceived as a “collectively constructed map” to explain, rigorously and without idealization, how the insurance ecosystem functions when risk materializes. The premise is clear: to dignify logistics risk management means understanding it as an integral part of competitiveness, not as an accessory cost or an abstract promise.

This perspective was further developed through the contributions of the co-authors. Rosa Morán, Claims Manager at Swiss Re and director of the Claims and Loss Prevention Observatory at ALSUM, brought to the table an uncomfortable truth for many operators: all logistics operations are exposed to losses, and denying this reality only exacerbates the consequences . Cargo insurance, she insisted, functions as a mechanism of mutuality and resilience, but only when there is clarity in the transfer of risk and expectations are aligned with what a policy actually covers. Transparency, in this context, is not an optional ethical value, but an operational condition for the insurance promise to be fulfilled.

Axel Fernández, Chief Sales Officer at Fidum Logistics , broadened the focus to include the role of the logistics operator, a player historically relegated to a tactical function. Today, he argued, the operator supports critical decisions regarding insurance and risk management . Behind every shipment are processes, technology, and people that ensure cargo security. Recognizing this role means understanding that prevention is neither improvised nor entirely delegated to third parties: it is designed from the very beginning of the operation.

The insurance adjuster then emerged as the system’s “moment of truth.” Germán Emmanuel Vásquez, cargo insurance underwriter for ALSUM and national director at Valuadores de Daños (VADASA), addressed one of the sector’s most sensitive issues: mistrust. The adjuster, he explained, operates in a zone of constant tension between the insurer and the insured , and their role is to transform fear and uncertainty into certainty, based on the contract and sound advice. When this fails, the damage is not only financial; it is reputational and structural for the entire industry.

The discussion escalated again when Mendoza spoke from his experience in cargo insurance. His message was directed at decision-makers in an environment marked by nearshoring and increased criminal threats: prevention is not a luxury or an aspirational ideal; it is a condition for survival. In increasingly exposed supply chains, failing to manage risks is tantamount to sacrificing competitiveness .

Ulises Daniel Bonales, Marine Deputy Director at HDI Global Seguros , reinforced this idea based on three decades of experience in underwriting and claims. Logistical resilience, he maintained, is not built in silos . It requires public-private coordination, robust prevention departments within insurers, and the use of technology and predictive analytics to anticipate scenarios. The evolution of the sector depends on products that not only provide compensation but also support policyholders with prevention and monitoring services.

The panel’s closing remarks, delivered by Antonio Lancaster-Jones, coordinator of the CCIJ, president of MIND Mexico Innovation and Design, and vice president of Concamin , grounded the message in an economic and social dimension. Competitiveness, he affirmed, depends not only on producing more or innovating more, but also on protecting what has been generated. “Logistics doesn’t just move products; it moves value, assets, and the efforts of thousands of people .” In this sense, the book was recognized as a clear and human-centered tool for improving decision-making in the industry.

The participation of Osiel Cruz Pacheco, CEO of Grupo T21 and author of the prologue , completed the narrative circle. Through the story of “Juan,” a company that learns the hard way about the risks of international trade, the message was condensed into a single phrase: “Prevention is honoring the future of the business .” A disaster represents not only lost merchandise, but also broken trust and lost opportunities. And at the heart of it all, he reminded us, are the people who make daily logistics possible.

For the ecosystem that closely follows the evolution of transportation and logistics in Mexico and the region, the presentation of *The Art of Managing Logistics Risks* at the Guadalajara International Book Fair (FIL) marks more than just a book launch. It is a meeting point between academia, industry, and the insurance sector that brings to the forefront a fundamental truth: without professional risk management, no supply chain can withstand the pressures .

Comment and follow us on X:  @GrupoT21

El cargo When risk becomes logistics strategy apareció primero en T21.

Digitalization and the use of cutting-edge technology have become a double-edged sword. The risk of cyberattacks has climbed the latent threat list for businesses in Mexico, particularly in sectors such as manufacturing, transportation, and logistics.

In 2024, a KPMG study revealed that seven out of 10 organizations in Mexico consider cyberattacks to be the main risk that could significantly impact them in the short term.

Alejandra Olvera, director of the Financial Lines branch at HDI Global Mexico , points out in an interview with T21 that the most affected sectors have been health, technology, education and, increasingly, transportation and manufacturing , given the amount of sensitive information they handle and their critical role in supply chains.

For his part, Esaú Mendoza, Commercial Director and Business Development at Keeper Cargo Insurance , points out that the most common attacks in the logistics sector include ransomware , phishing , identity theft and manipulation of digital documents , where critical systems such as TMS, GPS, ERP or customs systems have become vulnerable points.

“Ninety-four percent of malware is transmitted via email. It’s estimated that around $17,700 is lost globally every minute due to phishing attacks,” Mendoza explains.

According to figures shared by Mendoza, more than 1.5 million cyberattack attempts occur daily in the country , with estimated economic losses of $3.8 million  per incident.

Furthermore, organized crime, former employees, digital activists, and even “tech hitmen” have been identified as the main perpetrators behind these attacks.

If you wish to continue reading this text, we invite you to consult the June 2025 edition of T21 magazine, clicking here to review the electronic version .

Comment and follow us on X: @jenna_GH_  /  @GrupoT21

El cargo Logistics, in the crosshairs of digital crime apareció primero en T21.

With the aim of offering closer and more specialized attention to the auto transport sector , the agent and insurance specialist, Marco Fernández , inaugurated his new office on January 22 in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, one of the main logistics areas of the country.

Fernández, who has more than 22 years of experience in the insurance sector, told T21 that one of his goals is for transportation companies to see the insurance agent as a strategic partner , as someone who cares about their safety and long-term profitability .

Its approach seeks to go beyond reactive attention, to prioritize accident prevention and road culture .

“We always associate insurance with the reactive part, when an accident has already occurred. But what we want to do is transform the way in which transport companies approach insurance, promoting prevention and reducing losses,” explained Fernández.

The decision to open an office in Nuevo Laredo responds to the need to strengthen its relationship with the region’s transporters and offer a more agile and personalized service. The new headquarters is located in the Nuevo Laredo Cargo Services Center (CenSeCar) , a strategic point for the sector.

Challenges and trends in the insurance sector

Fernández pointed out that one of the main challenges in the industry is the need for awareness not only among drivers, but in all administrative and operational areas of transport companies.

“It is easy to blame the operator for an accident, but many times there are previous warnings that could have prevented the incident. From monitoring to maintenance, all areas have responsibility,” he stressed.

Fernández stressed that the insecurity in cargo transport has generated an increase in accidents , which has reduced the number of insurers willing to operate in the sector.

“A few years ago you could present eight or 10 insurers, today they must be counted, and some with proposals with very high costs,” explained Fernández.

Among the specialized services that Marco Fernández provides in his offices, both in Mexico City and Nuevo Laredo, are:

1. Fleet and heavy equipment insurance: Working exclusively with Quálitas , it provides coverage from the notification of the incident until the vehicle is back in circulation. It also offers prevention, awareness and road safety services at no additional cost to its clients.
2. Crossborder insurance : Aimed at the transportation of goods exclusively destined for the states of California, Texas and Arizona in the United States .
3. Freight transport insurance: Coverage both in national territory and at border crossings, integrating cargo protection within the same policy to facilitate management for clients.

In addition, Fernandez stressed that the U.S. side also has a prevention program, with access to training and continuous improvement tools for transporters.

This vision of safety and prevention was supported by various actors in the sector, who attended the inauguration of the office in Nuevo Laredo, including Héctor Hinojosa, general director of Transportes HH .

Also present on behalf of Super Transporte Internacional (STI) were Angel Hernandez, General Manager; Bernardo Gaytan, Director of Operations; and Victor Hernandez, Director of Finance. Also present was Gerardo Hernandez, Director of Finance of Rhino Express .

Marco Fernández also highlighted that Maximiliano Bermúdez, regional director of Quálitas in Ciudad Valles, San Luis Potosí, was a key player in the development of this project.

With this opening, Fernández seeks to consolidate its presence in one of the most important regions for auto transport in Mexico, betting on safety and prevention as pillars of its strategy.

Comment and follow us on X: @karinaquintero / @GrupoT21

El cargo Cargo transportation insurance! Marco Fernandez opens office in Nuevo Laredo apareció primero en T21.