NEWS BLOG

Global shipping costs are once again under scrutiny as logistics and procurement professionals warn of renewed pressure on transport budgets in 2026. According to recent industry reporting (published in the Guardian and other sources in Jan 2026), freight rate volatility, rising energy costs and persistent capacity constraints are feeding through supply chains and increasing the risk of higher end-consumer prices. In particular, spot shipping rates between major trade routes have climbed, and ongoing cost volatility is creating sustained pressure on global supply chains.

Following our earlier feature, From Logistics to the Racetrack, which introduced Trans-Rak International’s partnership with 7 Racing, the 2026 UK Championship continued at Snetterton 300 for Round 2, delivering another strong weekend of competition and a standout result for the Trans-Rak team.

Supply-chain resilience in automotive logistics is often discussed in terms of sourcing, inventory and digital visibility, but outbound vehicle flows deserve the same level of attention. For OEMs, the movement of finished vehicles has become more exposed to delay, capacity constraints and cost volatility over the past few years than many transport models were designed to absorb.

A new industry forecast shows that the global logistics automation market is expected to grow sharply from about US $36.9 billion value in 2025 to roughly US $70.6 billion by 2031 (some put the figure as high as B$146), representing an annual growth of more than 11% over five years. These systems, which include robotics, autonomous vehicles, and advanced control software, are being adopted within various logistics and transport sectors to improve efficiency at all levels of global supply chains.

Automotive logistics has always been shaped by constraints. Space is limited, lead times are fixed, handling points create risk, and every extra movement has a cost attached to it. That is part of why the net-zero 2030 (NZ-2030) discussion has become more concrete in this sector than in many others. Emissions do not sit outside the operation but are bound up with container fill levels, route structure, equipment choice and the discipline of execution.

In international vehicle logistics, quoting the ocean freight alone is never usually enough to secure a sale. What clients actually care about, and what determines whether a shipment is profitable or painful, is your Total Landed Cost (TLC). Accurately calculating and communicating the TLC is especially important if you are shipping multiple vehicles, or using space-optimisation tools such as multi-vehicle racking solutions.

By the time a vehicle reaches the loading point, most of the meaningful preparation should already be complete. Its condition should have been documented, loose items dealt with, mechanical issues identified, and any carrier or destination requirements confirmed beforehand. If any of these steps are missed, there can be delays or even disputes when the vehicle reaches destination, as well as a heightened risk of damage in transit. In this article we look at the sequence of checks that shape how containerised car transport is handled from origin to arrival.

The growth of electric vehicles (EVs) has introduced a different risk profile into vehicle logistics. Unlike internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles, EVs contain high-voltage lithium-ion batteries that can present fire and re-ignition risks if damaged, mishandled, or improperly stored. For logistics operators, this changes how vehicles are inspected, stored, and moved at every stage of electric car transport.

Exporting a vehicle from the UK to the United States is not difficult, but it is procedural. For automotive logistics businesses, therefore, success depends less on timing and more on disciplined sequencing: compliance screening first, documentation second, movement last. This guide walks through the process as it actually works in the field, explaining the regulatory framework, the documents that matter, and the best practices that prevent delays, penalties, and unhappy clients.

Europe’s transport and logistics industry is experiencing an uptick in mergers and acquisitions, driven by strategic consolidation, digital transformation, and a shared focus on multi-modal capability and ecological transition. This consolidation trend has several implications for the car transport shipping sector, where customers — including automotive OEMs, distributors and global dealers — are placing a higher value on reliability, flexibility and integrated logistics solutions.