Editor profile
Editor, Logistics Technology & Warehousing
Elena Rossi explores the intersection of technology and supply chain management, from warehouse automation to AI tracking systems. Her work highlights the digital transformation of logistics.
elena.rossi@thelogisticsnews.orgThis article is based on Dimerco's June 2026 Asia-Pacific freight report, analyzing how fuel cost fluctuations, geopolitical uncertainties, and early stockpiling behavior are tightening the global shipping market, and exploring their impact on major trade routes, port operations, and supply chains.
Tensions in the Strait of Hormuz have escalated again, and the outlook for the resumption of Red Sea shipping remains uncertain. Combined with pre-peak-season rush shipping and tightening capacity, global container shipping spot rates have surged to post-pandemic highs. This article analyzes how multiple factors are reshaping shipping routes, costs, and the global supply chain layout.
The Mexican state of Querétaro is consolidating its position as a North American supply chain hub through AI and logistics investments, with nearshoring and digitalization driving a new round of growth.
Analyzing the ten global trade trends for 2026 revealed in the UNCTAD report and their impact on logistics supply chains.
Global supply chain restructuring is reshaping trade flows and logistics networks, bringing structural opportunities to the logistics industry. This article analyzes the new landscape of ports, freight, warehousing, and regional corridors.
According to data from the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA), total intermodal volume in June increased by 11.6% year-on-year, with strong performance in domestic containers and trailers, but international containers saw a slight decline in the first half of the year.
FTI Consulting report shows that in the fourth quarter of 2025, the global transportation and logistics industry exhibited a fragile recovery, with trucking and air freight showing signs of rebounding, oversupply of shipping capacity leading to depressed freight rates, warehouse utilization hitting a record low, and M&A activity turning cautious.
J.B. Hunt, in collaboration with UP.Labs, has officially launched the AI freight platform Overroute. After one year of internal development, it now covers all business units and has processed millions of loads. The platform is embedded within existing transportation software, enhancing operational efficiency through real-time data interpretation and anomaly tagging.
In less than a year since its establishment, the U.S. Department of Justice's Trade Fraud Working Group recovered over $1 billion and newly established a Global Trade and Commercial Enforcement Division to strengthen import, trade, and customs fraud investigations, which has a profound impact on global supply chain compliance.
Descartes Systems Group acquires Chilean last-mile logistics software company Drivin for approximately $30 million, strengthening its presence in the Latin American market.
Supply chain consulting firm SCCG points out that systems not interconnected, poor data visibility, embedded manual processes, lack of clear requirements, and systems unable to support growth are five key signals of digital transformation failure.
According to IANA data, North American intermodal freight volume in May increased by 4.4% year-over-year, and domestic containers increased by 8.6%. The Iran conflict, tariffs, and rising diesel prices are driving mode shift.
The 2026 U.S. Logistics Status Report points out that the trucking market is experiencing a supply-driven recovery, with tightening capacity, accelerated AI penetration, and regulatory and global trade uncertainty becoming the new normal.
Data from the Association of American Railroads shows that for the week ending June 13, U.S. rail carload and intermodal volumes both achieved year-over-year growth, with intermodal volume increasing by 10.9%, reflecting sustained strong demand for multimodal transportation.
The LMI index for May was 69.5, a slight decrease of 0.4% from April, but still the second fastest expansion rate in nearly four years. With inventory costs soaring, transportation prices rising rapidly, coupled with the impact of tariffs and geopolitical conflicts, inflationary pressures in the supply chain are emerging.
Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming logistics and supply chain operations, but its greatest value lies in enhancing human capabilities, rather than replacing workers.
According to data from the Association of American Railroads, freight carloads in May increased by 2.5% year-on-year, reaching a new high since 2019, while intermodal traffic grew by a record 8.1%, indicating a broadening foundation for freight growth.