Nearly 40% of freight forwarders and 3PLs plan major tech spending in 2026 budgets
Nearly four in ten logistics companies are putting more than a quarter of their 2026 budgets toward technology, according to a new global survey from OntegosCloud. But while digital investments are accelerating, cybersecurity and compliance remain low on the list of priorities.
The survey gathered responses from 912 logistics and supply chain professionals across North America, Europe, and Asia. Predictive visibility and forecasting ranked as the top focus area for 2026, with 44% of respondents selecting it over automation, digital twins, or cybersecurity. Only 11% said cybersecurity and compliance were their main focus, suggesting a widening gap between innovation and protection.
“Logistics and freight forwarder leaders are no longer asking if they should digitalize, they’re asking how fast they can do it. But it’s equally clear that the race to innovate is outpacing the industry’s readiness to protect itself,” said Oliver Gritz, Founder and Managing Director of OntegosCloud.
Budgets Shift Toward Tech
The survey shows that 38% of freight forwarders and 3PLs are dedicating more than 25% of their 2026 budgets to technology. Another 25% plan moderate increases between 10% and 25%, while 23% remain cautious, allocating less than 10%. Only 14% said they haven’t yet finalized next year’s tech budgets.
One in three respondents said technology now drives their logistics strategy rather than supporting it, signaling a shift toward digital-first operations.
“The key challenge for 2026 won’t be whether the industry continues to innovate, but whether it can innovate safely,” said Gritz. “Building resilience depends on connecting data, automation, and cybersecurity into one intelligent ecosystem. With tariffs and trade uncertainty set to persist, strong data infrastructure remains the essential layer on which all logistics transformation depends—and the foundation for making supply chains more agile and future-ready in what promises to be another unpredictable year.”
Source: The Supply chain 247
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