In the last five years, has become clear that supply chain disruptions are on the rise with no sign of stopping. As a consequence of that, vessel operators started to have more awareness and understanding of the risks that can affect logistics, especially within the ocean containerized transportation side of it. This over time sparked the creation of systems and products that are specifically made to protect business owners from risk or wear and tear-related costs. Given all this, what best practices should companies adopt for 2026? What are the biggest cargo risks to expect in 2026? How can businesses prepare for supply chain disruptions with trade insurance?

What are the major cargo risk management trends in 2026?

1. Uncertainty continues: In the upcoming year, the trade and logistics industry will see an increase in risk management products designed to address the disruptions continuously plaguing the sector. The WTO already warned in mid-2025 in its Global Trade Outlook and Statistics study that “the outlook for global trade has deteriorated sharply due to a surge in tariffs and trade policy uncertainty (TPU)”. These can range starting from geopolitical situations, natural disasters, delays, bankruptcy, so called acts of God, etc. These will be an issue for all types of cargo but will particularly affect perishable cargo, such as fresh produce like fruits and vegetables, that are too sensitive to time passing and temperature changes. 2026 will therefore see more and more businesses in need for cargo risk management solutions covering the container box’s integrity and the cargo inside.
2. Cyber related risks: What technologies are shaping cargo risk mitigation in 2026? How is technology actually affecting and even provoking risks? With the growth of artificial intelligence (AI), there is increasing concern that this technology is not only being used for good purposes but also for scams and harm. There is a new type of logistics-related risks taking over, and these are cyber risks, online incidents, cyber-attacks, essentially all possible situations where a business can be scammed with fake documents or transactions or fictitious operations. 2026 will, unfortunately, see more of these affecting businesses online, jeopardising their operations and transportation. To mitigate these risks, logistics providers are expected to offer more products and solutions geared towards cyber insurance.
3. Tariff-related financial losses: How will global regulations impact cargo risk management next year? The recent trade difficulties caused by the introduction of tariffs have been hitting customers hard, creating uncertainty, and will continue to do so for a while in 2026 and beyond. Brands that choose to protect their cargo with extended liability or commercial insurance will surely have an advantage in complex, sensitive situations, while also protecting their cash flows.

Preparing for the future

To gear up for the upcoming year, taking the necessary precautions and ensuring one’s cargo is key. At times, businesses consider insurance against risks and ponder whether it is a truly necessary cost. “When talking about cargo risk management, it's like a paradox. You wish businesses had never used or never needed this product. It's like buying health insurance: you never hope you'll use it, but it is a necessary product because things could go wrong. And this product gives you peace of mind in protecting your cargo from risk associated with transportation and supply chain,” says Christian Satriadi, Head of Cargo Risk Management at Maersk, stressing the importance of protecting valuable cargo before something happens.

Transportation risks are always a possibility, so it is really vital to partner with a logistics provider that can support risk management solutions to help businesses mitigate real issues across transportation.

Be ready for resilience to go all the way! Discover more with Maersk Cargo Risk Management and read more on similar logistics trends and insights on Maersk Logistics Insights.