Analyst Insight: The strategies that underpin resilience today look different from those considered four years ago, or even last year. Entering 2026, global shippers faced a landscape defined by relative stability, but underscored by persistent uncertainty. This paradox is prompting businesses to continue prioritizing resilience as a fundamental strategy by regularly evaluating new tools and approaches to strengthen their ability to adapt.

After years of pandemic-driven instability and inflationary pressures, transportation rates across major modes showed fewer dramatic swings. Yet, volatility didn’t disappear. Ocean freight saw longer transit times and operational inefficiencies due to ongoing Suez Canal diversions and port congestion in Asia and Europe. 

In the air freight sector, robust e-commerce growth — particularly outside the U.S. — drove demand, but new regulations and shifting trade lanes were expected to drive further consolidation and nearshoring strategies among shippers. Across all modes of transportation, the unpredictability of trade policy remained constant, as tariff negotiations and regulatory changes frequently altered cost structures and sourcing strategies. 

These dynamics set the stage for global shippers entering 2026. Managing 37 million shipments a year and serving 83,000 customers, we’ve seen firsthand the action steps that are helping shippers improve resilience in the new year, including the following: 

Mode flexibility. Be prepared to pivot between ocean, air and alternative modes, including sea-air combinations and less-than-containerload consolidation. Align customs, inland and warehousing strategies with transportation planning to avoid bottlenecks and ensure seamless cross-border movement.

Diversified sourcing. With tariffs and trade tensions reshaping global sourcing, explore alternatives in Southeast Asia, India, Mexico and Canada. A tiered sourcing framework prioritizing geopolitical stability and cost efficiency enables strategic adjustments. Integrating purchase-order-management technology into this approach helps maintain visibility and control across multiple suppliers.

Technology adoption. Invest in Lean AI-driven scenario planning and digital visibility tools to anticipate disruptions and optimize costs. Manual workflows and siloed systems slow even the most advanced shippers. AI-powered logistics planners are already proving their value in accelerating decision-making and improving reliability.

Risk mapping. Proactively identify vulnerabilities, alternative routes and contingency plans for geopolitical or climate-driven events. Established contingency plans can minimize financial losses and operational delays.

Implementing these strategies isn’t without hurdles. Diversification introduces complexity in supplier management. Mode flexibility requires coordination across functions that often operate in silos. Technology adoption demands investment and change management. And risk mapping? It’s only as effective as the data behind it. Companies must overcome these challenges while balancing cost pressures and customer expectations.

Resilient supply chains will continue to be a competitive differentiator for companies navigating the evolving global landscape. Shippers that adopt flexible contracting, blended procurement, and technology-driven visibility will be well equipped to manage tariff volatility and shifting capacity, while those resistant to change may find themselves unprepared for future disruptions. Building agility into network design through regional distribution, cross-border diversification and digital tools will become standard practice. 

Resource Link: https://www.chrobinson.com

Outlook: Ultimately, organizations that weave risk management into every layer of their planning and treat resilience not merely as insurance but as a core strategy will be best positioned to thrive in the face of uncertainty. The next chapter in supply chain resilience is about proactively embracing change, so businesses can adapt and lead, no matter what challenges arise.