This is our first update of 2026, following a turbulent year for global logistics. The year 2025 will be remembered as a period of continued uncertainty for global supply chains: newly announced U.S. duties and tariffs, alongside emerging geopolitical flashpoints in different regions, have had a direct impact on international logistics flows. Entering the new year, market stability remains fragile, and operational risks are still shaping transport planning worldwide.
January’s severe weather events have further increased volatility. Snowstorms in the United States triggered thousands of flight cancellations and delays, while also disrupting major seaports and rail corridors. Heavy weather across the Atlantic continues to affect vessel schedules, particularly along the U.S. East Coast. After a one-day closure on 26 January, most U.S. ports reopened, including two container terminals in New York, and the Port of Houston resumed operations with restricted container deliveries.
Strong winds and waves have forced vessels to seek shelter near Le Havre, delaying departures from Northern European ports. With forecasts suggesting no improvement before February 5, a simultaneous departure surge could create congestion at New York once suspended traffic resumes.
Europe has also faced weather-related supply chain constraints. Below-zero temperatures in Germany caused significant disruption across northern and eastern regions. Port terminals in Hamburg reported long truck queues, shortened time windows, and clearance delays of up to eight hours. Rail operations were similarly impacted, with frozen infrastructure, cancelled rotations, and restrictions preventing trains from leaving Hamburg and Bremerhaven.
Looking ahead, February brings another predictable global disruption: Chinese New Year. The Spring Festival begins on 17 February 2026, with the official public holiday running from 15 to 23 February. For businesses sourcing from China, this represents one of the most challenging annual periods. Factory output typically drops by 60–70%, while freight rates may rise by 20–30% in the weeks surrounding the holiday. Missing key shipping windows can result in stockouts extending well into March. Early planning, capacity booking, and supplier coordination remain critical.
A major structural development for early 2026 is the gradual reassessment of Red Sea and Suez Canal routings. After the November announcement of halted attacks, carriers began considering a phased return to Trans-Suez operations. Rising pressure on costs and emissions associated with Cape of Good Hope diversions are accelerating this shift.
Maersk has formally confirmed that its MECL service will return to the Trans-Suez route. Weekly westbound sailings will follow, with expected transit time reductions of approximately seven days versus Cape routing. Being the most risk-averse out of the top carriers, Maersk is leading the way to other shipping lines.
However, other carriers remain cautious. CMA CGM has announced temporary Cape diversions for several services, while Hapag-Lloyd, ONE, and others have not committed to resuming Red Sea transits in the near term. CMA CGM has been using the Suez route eastbound from December, potentially to return the vessels to China quicker in anticipation of the Chinese New Year. CMA CGM has also revised its MEDEX service rotation from 11 January, replacing Alexandria with Port Said, removing the calls at Valencia, Barcelona and Fos Sur Mer and reducing vessels from ten to nine.
Significant developments are also emerging across the air cargo market in 2026. U.S. tariff measures have dampened air cargo flows between the United States and China, yet overall demand for air freight services is expected to remain strong as businesses continue restructuring supply chains.
Chinese companies have shown increased interest in sending goods to Africa and the Middle East, while the Middle East–India trade lane continues to experience growth. Regional carriers are responding through infrastructure investment, fleet renewal, and capacity redeployment toward the most heavily utilised routes. For example, at the start of the year, Emirates SkyCargo has received one Boeing 777 freighter, with 2 more expected in the upcoming months. Emirates has also begun the program for converting passenger aircrafts into freighters. By the end of 2027 Emirates aims to have at least 21 freighters, adding capacity to current operations.
As more supply chains of our customers are evolving and restructuring to meet the geopolitical and economic challenges, we in WELLGO continue to study logistics markets’ developments, looking for reliable and cost-effective routing and services, strengthen partnerships with freight operators in key regions in order to make our customers’ supply chains resilient and provide support to their operations.