Customs delays top list of global supply chain challenges in new DP World survey

Logistics is no longer viewed as a background function but as a core driver of competitiveness, according to a new global survey of supply chain leaders released by DP World during the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum at Davos this week. The Global Trade Observatory Outlook Report 2026 surveyed 3,500 supply chain and logistics executives globally and the findings present a shift in how companies approach logistics, infrastructure and trade strategy.

DP World CEO, Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, draws a distinction between trade volumes and the systems that support them, reports Trans,iNFO, stating that, “trade itself is resilient, it doesn’t stop. What is fragile are the supply chains that support it, and that’s where investment and better conditions make the biggest difference”.

The survey notes that that the top three priority changes for 2026 are:
• Supplier diversification ahead of new technology and decarbonisation
• New market diversification over AI and transport capacity
• Infrastructure development to support new markets

In terms of challenges, every respondent noted customs issues as the number one source of delays to freight and the single most negative factor to improving operational efficiency. Linked to this issue the report highlights the urgency for the customs and border procedures to be digitalised, current border infrastructure is not keeping pace with technological advances as faster and more predictable clearance is a key factor in developing new trade lanes whether it is by road, sea or air.

European road transport demand in 2026, is expected to grow by a fragile 1% according to another survey published this week by ING. With volatility the new norm for the sector, driven by ever changing trade policies, geopolitical instability and dampened business and consumer confidence. Traditional manufacturing industries and energy heavy sectors such as steel and chemicals continue to struggle with global competition leading to cuts in production and site closures throughout the EU. However, consumer led eCommerce within the EU increased in the first three quarters of 2025. Reduced haulier capacity due to fleet reductions, bankruptcies and consolidation in the sector has led to a 1% reduction in total EU haulage capacity according to the survey. The continuing overall fall in trucking capacity has not yet fed into a more favourable sustainable environment for operators, with margins under intense pressure resulting from cost increases across all areas.

Driver shortages across Europe continues to be a risk for any future upturns in demand, with the IRU estimating that there are currently 426,000 unfilled driver positions across Europe. The ING report expects that consolidation in the EU road haulage sector will intensify during 2026 as an aging owner base and succession challenges will accelerate mergers, acquisitions and market exits, further changing the road transport landscape.