Tariffs reshaped global supply chains in 2025, increasing costs and complexity across sourcing and trade. KPMG warns disruption will continue into 2026, urging leaders to focus on “Total Value,” not resilience alone. Container rates rose 12% for a third straight week, driven by Transpacific and Asia–Europe lanes. Supply chain leaders now recognize disruption as permanent, making adaptability a core operating principle.
5 Supply Chain Shifts That Shaped 2025
In 2025, tariffs reshaped global supply chains, driving higher costs, added complexity, and renewed scrutiny of sourcing and cross-border partnerships. Companies responded by prioritizing resilience through network redesign, nearshoring, and deeper use of AI, which moved from pilots into core operations for planning, automation, and risk management. Rising customer expectations further pushed supply chains to improve speed, visibility, and reliability, making customer experience a central operational priority.
Source: Inbound Logistics
KPMG: Tariffs, AI, and Centralization to Reshape Supply Chains in 2026
KPMG warns supply chain disruption will persist in 2026, pushing leaders to shift from resilience alone toward creating “Total Value” across performance, experience, and operations. The report highlights deeper centralization of supply chains into Global Business Services, alongside AI moving from pilots to embedded, connected intelligence powering planning, procurement, and risk management. With tariffs and protectionism ongoing, KPMG advises prioritizing agility through diversified sourcing, network adjustments, and AI-driven scenario modelling to manage cost and trade risk.
Source: Inside Logistics
Container Rates Rise 12% as Year-End Demand Strengthens
Global container rates rose 12% to US$2,182 per 40-ft container, marking a third straight weekly increase driven by higher Transpacific and Asia–Europe rates. Spot prices from Shanghai to New York and Los Angeles jumped nearly 20%, supported by capacity tightening and announced blank sailings. Drewry expects rates to edge higher as strong December demand and early bookings ahead of Lunar New Year become the new year-end norm.
Source: Inside Logistics
5 Supply Chain Lessons That Shaped 2025
In 2025, supply chain leaders learned that disruption is no longer temporary, making adaptability a core requirement rather than a contingency. Executives emphasized stronger fraud prevention, continued investment in people and infrastructure, and the growing importance of data quality, visibility, and real-time insight to manage volatility. Looking to 2026, flexibility, proactive risk management, and data-driven decision-making are set to define the next phase of supply chain strategy.
Source: Inbound Logistics
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