Which ASEAN country should air cargo players watch closely and why, explains Anton Lomakin

At transport logistic and air cargo Southeast Asia 2025 in Singapore, Anton Lomakin, Vice President of Cargo Airchartering – ASEAN at Chapman Freeborn, joined Rajarshi Chatterjee, Assistant Editor at STAT Publishing Group, for an in-depth discussion on the changing dynamics of the ASEAN air cargo market.

Lomakin outlined how tariff shifts—driven in part by the ongoing US–China trade tensions—are influencing air cargo flows across Southeast Asia. He explained how manufacturers are diversifying production across the region, how new markets are emerging, and which ASEAN countries cargo players should be closely watching.

He also spoke about how Chapman Freeborn is leveraging Singapore’s strengths as both a transshipment hub and a multi-modal gateway for the region.

In one of the most memorable stories from his career, Lomakin recalled a unique air charter operation that transported a baby elephant from Sri Lanka to China, showcasing the specialised nature of charter operations in the region.

Watch the full conversation for deeper insights into ASEAN’s fast-evolving cargo landscape.