Viewpoint

The logistics industry enters 2026 feeling a strong sense of déjà vu, as shifting tariffs, uneven freight markets, and persistent uncertainty left many managers reliving the same disruptions throughout 2025. Yet amid the volatility, technology—especially AI—offers a path forward, and those willing to adapt, rethink partnerships, and invest in smarter tools will be best positioned to navigate the chaos ahead.

In 2024, the logistics industry embraced AI, automation, and resilience, navigating global trade shifts and technological advancements to balance efficiency with human expertise.

Having covered B2B markets for 30 years, I’ve been witness to dozens of trends being overhyped to the point where the mere mention of it is reduced to background noise—devoid of meaning due to the number of times it has been spoken or written into a headline.

We’ve always said that fall is “the season of traditions,” and we’re kicking off this festive time of the year with one of our favorites— the release of the findings from the “Annual Study of Logistics and Transportation Trends.”

Use our May 2023 issue to take the temperature of the technology that’s transforming our operations right in front of our eyes

Once again, we’re using the March issue of Logistics Management to take a closer look at how the ongoing growth of e-commerce continues to influence the various modes, services and operations practices that make our logistics and freight transportation networks function.

Even before the pandemic, the idea of managing a streamlined global freight transportation network was considered by many as the single biggest challenge facing U.S. companies looking to build a universal brand—no matter the industry.

Implementing and leveraging tools to streamline operations and retain the workforce is necessary to take your operations into the future.

Over the past 10 years we’ve used the November issue to fix the spotlight on the trucking market, what is by far the most utilized mode of freight transportation—as well as the most analyzed and scrutinized.

This year it didn’t take us long to realize that the need to improve strategies to attract, hire, and apply the technology necessary to retain a workforce should be top of mind for logistics and supply chain management professionals.

For the first time, respondents were asked to consider a series of job factors and then share their perception of how logistics and transportation jobs compared to jobs in other industries for each of those factors.

Indeed, the technologies with all of the capabilities that we need are right in front of us—and more affordable than ever. No more excuses.

The 17th year that Logistics Management has produced our Rate Outlook print feature and follow-up webcast (Jan. 27) combination.

The last year and a half has pushed many logistics and supply chain operations to the brink, ushering in capacity, pricing, inventory, fulfillment, labor and global trade challenges that many have never seen before.

This marks the 11th year that we’ve devoted the majority of our November pages to the most dominant—and most complex—mode of transportation: motor freight.