Ask the experts: 2026 Predictions and priorities for supply chain professionals
From shifting regulatory requirements to tightening capacity, 2026 is the year of continuous readiness
With the start of the new year, planning season is in full swing. But in the supply chain and logistics industry, it’s a different story. Navigating today’s market means shippers must be in a continuous state of readiness. For supply chain professionals, planning is both continuous and complex.
Teams are still managing the reverberations of peak season while looking ahead at 2026 capacity and budgets. The past year was shaped by tariff shifts, trade policy volatility, and heightened geopolitical risk—and early signals suggest those pressures aren’t easing as the new year begins. That means shippers are preparing for multiple market scenarios and drafting contingency plans to mitigate risk and uncertainty.
Our team at Uber Freight keeps a pulse on market conditions by combining market signals, industry data, and our own customer conversations. Each year, we ask our experts to share their predictions and insights for the year ahead.
2026 market outlook: Navigating change
Shifts within the freight market are on the horizon, as regulatory requirements, tightening capacity, tariffs, and trade deals begin to take shape. Mazen Danaf, Uber Freight’s Principal Economist and Data Science Manager, and author of Uber Freight’s quarterly market report, says these factors are impacting both supply and demand:
“2026 will be defined by a gradual shift from a buyer’s market to a tightening one. Despite stagnant demand, an unprecedented amount of capacity is exiting the market. This trend, combined with potential regulatory developments that could further reduce supply, is setting the stage for a long-overdue market correction. Shippers who prepare early for a healthier, more disciplined pricing environment will be best positioned to protect service and cost.” - Mazen Danaf, Principal Economist and Data Science Manager at Uber Freight.
The power of partnership: Moving beyond siloed solutions
Despite consumer inflation easing, fuel prices have risen, putting pressure on shippers to cut costs. Coupled with tighter capacity and higher rates across the industry, shippers in 2026 will expect their logistics partners to drive efficiencies and cost savings that improve service at scale:
“In 2026, shippers will demand fewer partners who can do more across their networks. Cost control and automation can’t be buzzwords anymore as leaders will expect measurable efficiency gains that improve service at scale. The providers who thrive will be those who offer true integration across modes and capabilities, not siloed solutions delivered in isolation.” - D’Andrae Larry, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Uber Freight.
The evolution of last mile: From cost center to strategic advantage
The last-mile industry is quickly growing, driven by e-commerce expansion and rising expectations for same-day or next-day delivery. As the final touchpoint in the supply chain, last-mile delivery has a significant impact on customer satisfaction—yet delays, disruptions, and high costs make it challenging to manage.
In 2026, optimizing the last mile will be critical to business growth. According to Uber Freight’s Senior Director of Transportation, Marie Druckenmiller, last mile presents one of the biggest opportunities for shippers to gain a competitive advantage:
“Last mile is no longer the most expensive problem to manage, it’s the biggest opportunity to differentiate. In 2026, intelligent orchestration, as well as micro-fulfillment and store-based shipping, will make same-day and next-day delivery economically viable at scale. The businesses that win will be those who can balance cost discipline with reliable, transparent delivery, not just faster delivery.” — Marie Druckenmiller, Senior Director of Transportation, Uber Freight.
The evolution of fraud: Increasing threat sophistication
Not only has cargo theft risen year-over-year, it’s also become more sophisticated. Thieves now employ identity-driven attacks that target email systems and impersonate legitimate operators, making fraud increasingly difficult to detect. It’s expected fraud will continue to impact the market in 2026, especially financially:
“In 2026, patterns and methods of fraudulent activity will evolve, as bad actors look to exploit vulnerabilities created through supply chain disruptions. The cost of risk is going to increase substantially, and shippers should expect steep increases across insurance markets, as well as reductions in scope of available coverage. To stay ahead, shippers and carriers will need to invest in modern security technology to stay ahead. Proactive identity validation, real-time monitoring, and AI-driven threat detection will become essential. Those who modernize their defenses will be best positioned to protect both freight and financial stability in 2026.” - Chris McLoughlin, Senior Director of Operations at Uber Freight.
The balancing act: Innovation and operational efficiency
Both the electric truck and autonomous truck sectors are projected to see significant growth in the coming years. But in 2026, that growth will be more measured as shippers begin to balance the benefits of these technologies with their operational costs:
“2026 will be another healthy, yet incremental step forward for AV and EV adoption in trucking. The technologies and deployments will continue to evolve and progress, but adoption will still largely be focused on a narrower set of use cases and lanes (e.g., shorter haul lanes for EV to accommodate charging infrastructure limitations, and sunbelt states and dry van equipment for AV).
The two most significant developments for AV will likely be additional "NVO" (no vehicle operator) and "End to End" (dock door to dock door) deployments, versus the current safety driver model and "hub to hub" (transfer yard) models. For EV, it will be continued infrastructure (charging) investments and range expansion.
Finally, from a shipper's perspective, many shippers are interested in decarbonizing and modernizing their transportation, but not at the expense of service or price. As such, the next big wave of progress will be dependent on operational readiness and cost competitiveness." - Brooks McMahon, SVP of Business Development at Uber Freight.
For deeper insights on the freight market and how to stay ahead in 2026, read our latest market report.