Supply Chain & Logistics News, Trends, and Insights

If you have international shipments moving from Asia to the U.S., conditions in the Transpacific Eastbound (TPEB) market have changed significantly in recent weeks. Space is tight, rates are climbing, and the window to act is narrowing.

On May 14, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a unanimous decision in Montgomery v. Caribe Transport II, LLC that immediately changed the freight brokerage industry. For brokers who have been cutting corners on carrier vetting, the ruling is a wake-up call. For Averitt, it is confirmation of what we have been doing all along.

Q2 2026 arrives with more complexity than clarity. The Middle East conflict has introduced a new layer of economic uncertainty that is rippling across every mode of transportation, driving fuel costs higher, disrupting international trade lanes, and adding pressure to supply chains that were just beginning to find their footing.

As supply chains move into 2026, the conversation has shifted. Shippers are no longer reacting to constant disruption—but they aren’t operating with full confidence either. Instead, planning decisions are being made with greater discipline, tighter assumptions, and far less margin for error.

The start of 2026 doesn’t bring a clean reset for the supply chain—but it does bring more clarity than we’ve had in recent years. Across transportation, ports, and warehousing, conditions are being shaped less by sudden demand swings and more by structural changes: tighter capacity, regulatory enforcement, evolving trade patterns, and the lingering influence of trade policy and tariffs on sourcing and routing decisions. Together, these forces are reinforcing the need for flexibility when disruptions occur.

Throughout this year, the transportation industry has seen heightened federal enforcement focused on driver licensing, cabotage regulations, and English language proficiency requirements. These initiatives, including Operation Midway Blitz and related investigations, have resulted in thousands of drivers being taken off the road. Many experts predict tighter trucking capacity across the United States as a result.

When it comes to managing imports, most shippers know how critical drayage is to the bigger picture of their supply chain. But with countless numbers of drayage companies to choose from—ranging from small, local operators to large, nationwide providers—the decision isn’t always clear.

Inbound container volumes are climbing again, with ocean ports across the U.S. reporting the beginning of tariff-driven surges that are rivaling post-COVID levels. This uptick appears to be tied to importers pulling forward inventory in response to the temporary pause on new tariffs for Chinese goods that was implemented in May.

In today’s supply chain, international isn’t optional—it’s essential. Whether sourcing from Asia, nearshoring to Mexico, or establishing a China+1 procurement strategy, global supply chains are shifting fast. On this episode of Beyond Point to Point, we go beyond the headlines to unpack what’s really happening in international logistics.

From emerging sourcing regions to the tariff impacts driving change, we explore how shippers are adapting to new trade realities. Hear from Richard Egan (VP of International Solutions, Averitt) on long-term global strategy; Ed Habe (VP of Mexico Sales, Averitt) and Homero Gonzalez (General Director, Central de Fletes) on the evolving U.S.-Mexico freight dynamic; and licensed customs broker Kailoni Lawson (Integrated Operations Manager, Averitt) on why planning and compliance matter more than ever.

Watch the episode below to learn how the right partnerships—and the right questions—can help you future-proof your supply chain.