Our experts’ outlook: What to expect from the logistics year 2026

2026 is shaping up to be a year of uncertainty and rapid adjustments, where conditions may change from week to week. Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East make the future of traffic through the Suez Canal difficult to predict, while vessel capacity and trade policy changes continue to influence freight rates and planning. In Sweden, we are seeing signs of economic recovery and a continued strengthening of rail’s role in the logistics chain.

Our Senior Sales Executive Martin Johansson and Senior Commercial Analyst Per Wahlström share their outlook on the logistics year 2026 – globally, nationally and locally.

Major swings and complexity in the global market

One of the biggest uncertainties heading into 2026 is the situation in and around the Red Sea. Early in the year there were signs of a cautious return to traffic through the Suez Canal, but the latest unrest in the region has once again changed the outlook.

At the same time, trade policy continues to add uncertainty, not least through changing tariff conditions. The market in 2026 risks becoming volatile, with alternating periods of accelerated trade flows and slowdowns.

“We have seen sharp swings over a short period of time. That makes it difficult for actors across the value chain to plan long term. For us as a port, it means we need to be prepared for rapid volume changes, rerouting and shifting call patterns,” continues Martin Johansson.

Sweden 2026: Cautious recovery and growing containerization

The Swedish economy is showing signs of cautious recovery. This creates room for increased consumption, which is expected to drive higher container volumes.

“In 2026, I believe we will see continued strong import volumes and growing exports. Many industries had a tough year in 2025, but the outlook for 2026 looks brighter,” says Per Wahlström, Senior Commercial Analyst at APM Terminals.

“We also see a clear trend toward containerization of goods that previously moved as bulk cargo. This enables more efficient logistics with lower climate impact and fewer risks.”

Increasing container volumes are placing greater demands on Swedish ports in terms of capacity, flexibility and reliability. At the same time, smaller vessels are being replaced by larger models, which requires investments in infrastructure and deeper fairways. This development is driving a clear concentration of cargo flows.

“Over the past few years, we have seen volumes increasingly centered on the largest ports in Sweden, and that trend looks set to continue,” says Per Wahlström.

Local focus: Flexibility and planning in a volatile environment

At APM Terminals Gothenburg, we are planning for a year that may bring both potential volume growth and significant fluctuations. Weekend operations and extended gate opening hours, improvement projects to increase yard capacity, and initiatives to free up space for more containers are some of the activities currently underway.

Rail continues to be a strong growth driver. New shuttle services and destinations are being developed, and interest in establishing rail hubs is increasing.

“Rail offers very high reliability, which our customers value. The fact that cargo continues to shift from road to rail despite lower diesel prices shows that robustness and climate efficiency are important factors for Swedish cargo owners,” concludes Per Wahlström.