According to data from the European Institute of Road Transport (EITD), the European road transport market underwent significant changes in the first quarter of 2026, driven by the conflict in the Middle East and rising fuel prices. Analysts note a substantial increase in activity on the spot market, while transport companies’ search activity began to partially recover following a decline earlier in the year.
The Swiss rolling stock manufacturer Stadler has signed a contract with Ireland’s national railway operator, Iarnród Éireann, and the state-owned company Translink Northern Ireland Railways, which operates the network in Northern Ireland. Under this agreement, the company enters a new market and will supply eight hybrid trains from its FLIRT family; starting in 2030, these trains will operate on the 180-kilometer intercity cross-border route connecting the capitals of the island’s two regions.
At its Investor Day held at its headquarters in Hedehusene, DSV announced its updated strategic priorities – dubbed “Leverage to Lead” – along with new financial targets extending through 2030. The company aims to solidify its position as a global leader in the logistics industry through sustainable, profitable growth; the active adoption of AI and technology; and the optimization of its network and operations following the completion of the DB Schenker integration. Additional growth is expected to be driven by M&A transactions and organic growth that outpaces the market, leveraging the company’s global network, service capabilities, and strong standing within key industry verticals.
Interporto Bologna SpA has become one of the founding members of a new regional logistics initiative, ROLER (Rete Operatori Logistica Emilia-Romagna), aimed at fostering the development of rail freight transport within the region. The network also includes Dinazzano Po SpA, SAPIR SpA, and Rail Traction Company SpA. The project brings together key intermodal logistics operators and seeks to bolster the role of railways in the region’s freight flows.
The Port of Duisburg (Duisport) has launched a new digital vessel registration system called the River Ports Planning and Information System (RPIS), which enables stakeholders to register more quickly and transparently. The project is being implemented jointly with the operator RheinPorts, making Duisburg the third port – following Basel and Trier – to adopt this technology.
Hellmann Worldwide Logistics has released its results for the 2025 financial year, reporting group revenue of €3.7 billion, compared to €3.8 billion the previous year. At the same time, the number of shipments rose to approximately 21 million; this indicates volume growth exceeding market levels and an increase in the company’s market share amidst a challenging global economic climate, geopolitical instability, and pressure on logistics margins. The company noted that adapting its cost structure and enhancing efficiency enabled it to improve its equity ratio and strengthen its financial resilience.
Avia Solutions Group (ASG) – a company of Lithuanian origin that has actively expanded its aviation portfolio in recent years – has decided to shut down several of its airlines and revise its development strategy. One of the steps taken was the suspension of a project in the Philippines aimed at establishing a new carrier, Avion Express Philippines, operating in the wet-lease segment.
Hapag-Lloyd and Kuehne+Nagel are embarking on their first joint project focused on decarbonizing ocean shipping through the use of Sustainable Marine Fuels (SMF). Under this agreement, Kuehne+Nagel will utilize Hapag-Lloyd’s “Ship Green” product to reduce the carbon footprint of its maritime shipments; the pilot phase for 2026 targets a reduction of approximately 3,000 tons of CO₂e through shipments traveling between East Asia and Northern Europe. In total, the program covers a cargo volume of approximately 3,300 TEU spanning the period from April to December 2026.
During the period from January to April 2026, the APM Terminals Poti facility at the Port of Poti (Georgia) handled 212.1 thousand TEU. This represents a 7.5% increase compared to the same period in previous years and marks the highest volume recorded in recent years. According to port administration data, 54.5 thousand TEU were handled in January, 45.9 thousand TEU in February, and 52.9 thousand TEU in March, while a record volume of 58.6 thousand TEU was reached in April.
In April, global air freight spot rates rose to $3.34 per kg – a 30% increase over last year’s figure and the highest level recorded since October 2022. According to Xeneta, this sharp surge is largely attributable to a temporary shortage of cargo capacity on routes affected by regional conflicts; however, as capacity is restored, the market is beginning to stabilize. Concurrently, long-term rates also increased in April – rising by 18% – a trend reminiscent of the supply chain disruptions experienced during the pandemic era.
