As we begin to look ahead to 2026, businesses are uncovering fresh opportunities and continuous challenges – with uncertainty and geopolitical volatility still on the table while technology advances rapidly. In this environment, adaptability has become the new competitive edge. But the companies that lead will be those that combine human insight, digital innovation and operational resilience to navigate the next chapter of global logistics. Here are our five predictions for the year ahead
1) AI – from hype to data-driven collaboration
The industry’s relationship with artificial intelligence (AI) is maturing. The shift has moved from experimentation to real adoption, with the gap between small and mid-sized companies shrinking as AI makes technology more accessible to all.
In 2026, AI will move into mainstream applications such as predictive maintenance, network optimization and dynamic pricing. Conversations about full autonomy are already happening at the operational level and are no longer confined to IT-only discussions.
The idea of AI as a colleague is replacing the idea of AI as a tool. Companies are no longer asking whether AI can help; instead, logistics leaders are asking, “Can AI do it, and how quickly can it deliver?” The goal isn’t to eliminate human roles but to free people to focus on higher-value work.
But the biggest hurdle will still be data quality, which is finally being recognized as the true enabler of automation. Economic pressures are pushing companies to confront the reality that if you want autonomous AI, you must first invest in the data that powers it. Without clean data, where are we?
2) The human factor – the challenge of change
While the driver shortage remains a major challenge, attention is increasingly shifting toward safety, comfort and inclusion. But an even greater obstacle may be managing the human side of transformation. Operational leaders often worry about how long-serving employees will adapt to AI-driven systems. Deeper AI integration will require structured change management to ensure that seasoned professionals feel empowered – not displaced – as processes evolve.
Successful companies are realizing the importance of appointing change ambassadors in their teams. These experienced employees can bridge the gap between legacy processes and new technology, enabling colleagues to navigate the transition with credibility and empathy.
Customer experience is emerging as a key differentiator, with the human+AI model proving essential for successful adoption. Real-world examples are already appearing: digital assistants that identify languages, translate communications, route requests and flag issues are accelerating response times.
As consumers grow used to the speed and simplicity of online retail and banking, expectations have shifted dramatically. They no longer want alerts about problems; they expect proactive solutions and seamless, automated responses.
Technology continues to evolve rapidly, but progress will only happen when people evolve with it. Investing in workforce capability isn’t an optional extra in digital transformation; it’s the core of sustainable change.
3) Sustainability and intermodality – progress through pragmatism
The shift toward alternative fuels will continue. But the spread of electric and low-emission heavy-duty vehicles is still limited by infrastructure gaps and economics. That said, some segments are seeing earlier adoption: local-delivery operations in parts of Europe are finding EVs increasingly cost-competitive, creating niche opportunities where the economics align. For the broader market, however, companies are prioritizing practices that deliver both cost savings and sustainability gains, such as route optimization, tire pressure monitoring and digital documentation.
In short, sustainability and profitability are now the same goal.
Intermodality continues to wrestle with complexity. Whereas road freight typically involves three key actors, intermodal transportation requires coordination among at least seven. The main obstacle, once again, is data. Ocean, air and road networks all operate on different systems and standards, making seamless integration difficult. AI-driven planning tools could play a pivotal role in closing these gaps, improving coordination and visibility across modes. Yet, across regions, aging infrastructure and persistent maintenance issues, from European rail bottlenecks to North American roadworks, continue to constrain capacity and reliability.
4) Resilience and volatility
Geopolitical tension and multipolarity will continue to affect supply chains in unpredictable ways. While tariff volatility may have peaked (or organizations have learned to establish safeguards to deal with last-minute fluctuations), structural uncertainty remains constant rather than temporary. Companies can benefit from joining and leveraging flexible, data-driven networks that are truly ready to adapt.
Cybersecurity threats are evolving quickly and becoming increasingly professional. A major global breach involving data exposure from unsafe AI use seems not a question of if, but when. Such an event would be a stark reminder of the need for robust AI safety standards and close collaboration with trusted technology partners.
At the same time, freight fraud and cargo theft are rising sharply, particularly in North America. Criminal networks are exploiting spoofed domains and impersonation tactics to infiltrate logistics operations, highlighting the urgent need for stronger verification protocols and AI-enabled carrier vetting to reduce risk and prevent costly disruption.
By moving to AI-powered, cloud-based platforms and working with trusted technology partners, companies can strengthen their security posture without racking up exorbitant costs. Large companies are no less vulnerable: outdated IT systems leave no one immune. What’s critical is investing in cloud infrastructure and shared data standards.
5) Connected ecosystem – from data to action
A large portion of the industry’s drag comes from parties not sharing data. While openness varies by geography, competition is driving more collaboration on a global scale. Carriers still guard certain data as a proprietary advantage, but the potential for industry-wide gains is pushing toward greater transparency.
Connected ecosystems that enable seamless data exchange will unlock the real value of digitalization: real-time visibility that drives smarter, faster, more sustainable and, ultimately, more economical decisions across the whole supply chain.
The more integrated it becomes, the more everyone wins.
Embracing 2026
If 2025 was the year of experimentation, 2026 will be the year of acceleration. AI will mature and move past pilot projects, powering deep organizational change. Sustainability will be more centered on pragmatic, profit-aligned strategies, and building resilience will depend equally on leveraging cloud infrastructure and investing in high-quality data.
Ultimately, the future belongs to companies that embrace connected ecosystems, prioritize data integrity and bring their people along for the journey.