In 2024, 84% of companies reported experiencing supply chain disruptions – a staggering figure that underlines a new normal shaped by geopolitical instability, trade tariffs and volatile commodity markets. As we look ahead to the second half of 2025, companies must adopt more proactive, tech-enabled approaches to stay resilient in the face of growing uncertainty.

So, what’s driving this turbulence – and how can businesses navigate it with confidence?

1. Why are supply chain disruptions becoming more frequent and severe?

Global supply chains have always been vulnerable to external shocks, but today’s disruptions are more complex and interconnected than ever before. Several macro forces are converging:

  • Geopolitical tensions are disrupting long-standing trade corridors, from the US to China, from the Red Sea to Eastern Europe.
  • Climate events are increasing in frequency and severity, affecting everything from harvest cycles to transportation infrastructure.
  • Regulatory fragmentation – such as new ESG compliance mandates and tariff realignments – creates layers of unpredictability.
  • Labor shortages and strikes across logistics and manufacturing sectors further strain just-in-time models.

This shift from isolated events to systemic shocks requires a fundamental rethink of supply chain strategy – from reactive to resilient.

2. How can companies gain better visibility into financial and supplier risks?

Visibility is no longer a luxury – it’s a competitive necessity. Yet many corporates still rely on static spreadsheets, siloed systems, and manual processes to manage complex supplier ecosystems. However, by leveraging centralized, real-time digital insights – particularly across the trade finance transactions – organizations can gain enhanced visibility and control across all banking and trading partners, hence preempting bottlenecks to improve liquidity and mitigate risk before they impact supply chain operations.

Platforms like Surecomp’s RIVO™ – a digital hub that offers centralized visibility across all trade finance transactions – enables companies to communicate with their banks in real-time to monitor guarantee process efficiency, to manage credit lines with every financial institution and to mitigate supplier risk with data insights, all of which can significantly enhance operations. With RIVO™, companies can for example:

  • Track critical guarantee expiration dates to avoid cash flow surprises.
  • Evaluate suppliers based on dynamic risk scoring – not outdated financials.
  • Monitor exposure across multiple jurisdictions and counterparties.

3. What role does automation play in managing supply chain uncertainty?

Manual processes not only slow down response times – they also introduce errors and blind spots that can amplify risk during crises. Automation, particularly when powered by AI, brings a new level of agility and precision.

Surecomp is integrating AI-driven analytics to:

  • Automate guarantee text checking and email verification.
  • Flag anomalies in supplier behavior and payment flows.
  • Recommend optimal trade finance structures based on risk exposure.
  • Automate compliance with changing trade regulations and sanctions.

By automating routine workflows, companies can redirect human talent to strategic decision-making, especially when speed and insight are critical.

4. How can businesses prepare for raw material shortages and shifting trade routes?

To build true resilience, companies must think beyond cost optimization. Key strategies include:

  • Diversification of suppliers and sourcing regions to reduce over-reliance on a single country or material.
  • Scenario planning to model the impact of route closures or tariff escalations.
  • Stronger collaboration between banking partners, fintechs and suppliers to optimize liquidity, risk and contingency plans.

Tools like RIVO™ enable better alignment between all ecosystem parties by making transaction and risk data centrally available and transparent across departments, transforming supply chains from reactive to predictive.

5. What key risks should companies watch out for in 2025?

Looking forward, these are the top threats treasurers and working capital leaders should monitor closely to help optimize liquidity and future-proof supply chains:

  • Heightened geopolitical volatility in key trade corridors (e.g., South China Sea, Middle East)
  • Cyber threats targeting logistics and trade platforms
  • Regulatory shifts in ESG, digital trade, and tariffs
  • Increased scrutiny of Scope 3 emissions and sustainability claims
  • Volatile commodity prices due to climate-driven disruptions and trade embargoes

Companies that invest in real-time visibility, AI-powered automation and collaborative trade finance will be best positioned to turn these risks into strategic opportunities. Find out more about RIVO™ and make 2025 a defining year for supply chain resilience.