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Logistics Operators Brace for Unpredictable Disruptions in 2026

Supply chain leaders struggle to anticipate the next major disruption as multiple geopolitical crises reshape freight markets in 2026. The Ukraine conflict continues to strain air transport capacity, while a new conflict zone in the Middle East has upended demand forecasts and pricing expectations. Airfreight rates are projected to climb between 5% and 15% this year. Industry executives say the compounding nature of current disruptions makes contingency planning increasingly difficult. Maersk's transpacific leadership emphasized that predicting disruption sources has become nearly impossible. The cumulative impact across ocean and air cargo segments has forced operators to prioritize supply chain resilience over traditional forecasting models. Market analysts warn that volatility will likely persist through the remainder of 2026.