Breakthrough Chief Economist Matt Muenster provides an in-depth analysis of the freight economy: Supply-side tightness pushes up costs, overall demand remains weak except for flatbed trucks, AI data center construction drives some demand, tariffs lead to an early peak season, US-Mexico trade continues to grow, and the outlook for railroad mergers remains to be seen.
Descartes Systems Group acquires Chilean last-mile logistics software company Drivin for approximately $30 million, strengthening its presence in the Latin American market.
The 37th Annual State of Logistics Report reveals that global supply chains have entered a new normal of continuous disruption, and companies need to make adaptability a core capability, with AI and automation becoming key levers.
According to IANA data, North American intermodal freight volume in May increased by 4.4% year-over-year, with domestic containers leading at 8.6% growth, while international containers saw a slight increase of 0.4%. The Iran conflict has pushed up diesel prices and tightened truck capacity, boosting the domestic intermodal share to over 50%.
The 2026 "Logistics Industry Status Report" points out that volatility has become a permanent feature of global supply chains, and logistics companies need to make resilience design, AI technology, and automation investment their core strategies to address ongoing challenges such as geopolitics, energy prices, and labor shortages.
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.
Tariffs, geopolitical risks, and digital investment are driving the regional restructuring of global supply chains, while e-commerce fulfillment, air freight, and cold chain networks are also being adjusted in tandem.
Under ongoing changes in geopolitics, trade flows, and transport capacity structures, the global logistics network is accelerating its adjustment, with trucking, ocean freight, and technology investment becoming key priorities for businesses.