Analyst Insight: In 2026, modern logistics technology becomes a fundamental requirement for achieving agility and mitigating operational risk. For freight forwarders, delaying digital readiness now comes at a significant cost. Shippers expect their logistics partners to have digital capabilities that can keep up with today’s risk environment and optimize performance. While trusted relationships remain vital, without digital transformation, they risk being left behind.
Global shipping has reached a decisive moment, where logistics technology is a requirement to effectively manage today’s supply chain challenges, which include heightened trade policy disruption, geopolitical impacts, rising customer expectations, and acceleration of artificial intelligence-driven automation.
Logistics service providers must ramp up adoption of logistics technology capabilities if they want to hold onto business.
There’s a widening gap between forwarders adapting in order to strengthen their technology foundation, and those falling behind, and the digital readiness divide between large and small forwarders is growing, especially in AI readiness, tech investment, and customer satisfaction.
Only 45% of forwarders are automating documentation, compliance and invoicing workflows. However, there is a sizable gap between large and small forwarders who say that they have, “No major modernization initiatives at this time” compared to larger ones (20% vs. 6%).
In our connected digital world, manual processes and siloed systems are no longer sufficient. These outdated methods severely limit productivity, accuracy and responsiveness.
Shippers are increasingly seeking a freight forwarder that serves as a strategic partner with digital capabilities; one that supports supply chain risk mitigation, offers visibility to timely shipment data, and digital integrations with trading partners to enhance efficiency, collaboration and performance.
Technology readiness is a must. Forwarders that proactively build digital capabilities — real-time visibility, digital rate management, automated freight documentation and more — will be prepared to serve shipper customers effectively in 2026 and beyond, meeting the demands of today’s global marketplace.
Adoption of an integrated freight platform is key to improving productivity, data quality, customer satisfaction and streamlining freight processing, providing time and cost savings for all.
Our research shows shippers’ technology expectations: 38% of shippers reported being “slightly satisfied” or “not satisfied at all” with their forwarders’ technological capabilities.
A critical shift is needed for logistics businesses to ramp up their digital capabilities, not only to effectively serve customers but also to stay competitive.
The gap between shipper expectations and forwarder performance is clear. Shippers increasingly view advanced technology not as a differentiator, but as a baseline requirement. Those forwarders who fail to meet this expectation risk losing customers; those who embrace the key need for digital logistics tools will grow and gain market share.
Forwarders must accelerate digital transformation; not to replace human relationships, but to elevate it. Technology should deliver timely, actionable insights to optimize supply chains, build trust and strengthen customer relationships.
Outlook: Forwarders that adopt an integrated digital freight platform will foster strong human experiences and advance their competitive position in an environment where global supply chains are increasingly complex, data-driven, and require resiliency. The old way of doing business by phone, email and spreadsheets simply can’t keep pace with the growing demands of global shipping. Digital connectivity is now essential for resilience, productivity and long-term competitiveness.
Source: https://www.supplychainbrain.com/articles/43223-2026-the-year-technology-becomes-critical-for-freight-forwarders
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