Maritime 2026 Annual Review & Outlook
Executive Commentary
investment cycles. Ports will prioritize efficiency and cost reduction, and Konecranes believes that automation, electrification and predictive maintenance technologies will enhance throughput. Supporting modular upgrades and retrofits helps terminals optimize existing assets instead of purchasing new ones. Providing data-driven performance insights helps terminals with operators’ constrained budgets.
Unlike past slowdowns, driven mainly by cyclical global demand, slowing US shipping has been shaped by tariffs and geopolitical tension. At the same time, ports are under pressure to decarbonize and digitize. This makes the current cycle both more challenging and more transformative for the ports industry supply chain, but it can open up opportunities for larger industry players.
Additionally, tariffs and countertariffs continue to cause uncertainty in customer decision making. Konecranes is ready to ramp up production of US-made port cranes to meet domestic demand. We can also modernize existing port cranes with the latest technology and cybersecurity standards to improve the safety, productivity and sustainability of our customers’ operations.
LOGISTEC
Sean Pierce
CEO www. logistec. com
Periods of slowed growth are not setbacks— they are opportunities to recalibrate, innovate and expand. The global supply chain is undergoing a major transformation, and now the industry should focus on optimizing operations and expanding services and network reach to new markets to be ready for the rebound we know is coming.
Disruption also often reveals hidden potential. This is a good time to take an in-depth look at operations from top to bottom and identify where we can make improvements to optimize efficiencies and to share best practices network-wide. Investing in new technologies and infrastructure upgrades now, leveraging government programs and public-private partnerships in place to strengthen the supply chain, will help reduce costs and improve logistics solutions for the long term.
Another important response, and specifically for us at LOGISTEC, is to embrace a global mindset. Expanding into emerging markets and regions offers new opportunities for an increase in volumes and revenue and diversification of services. Strategic international growth can mitigate economic slowdowns and build resilience. Finding new opportunities to create synergies, bringing in new customers and new commodities are ways to drive a more competitive global footprint. By aligning
The Lambos Firm, LLP with partners who share operational excellence and vision, as an industry, we can turn a slowdown into momentum and be ahead of the game when the rebound comes.
The Maritime Association of the Port of New York & New Jersey
Stephen Lyman
Executive Director www. nymaritime. org
Stay the course— there’ s no need to panic. Much of this year’ s traffic was frontloaded, creating softer volumes
Carol Notias Lambos
Partner www. thelambosfirm. com
This year, one of the questions posed is“ How should the industry respond to a deceleration of growth in US shipping?” With regard to the US shipping industry, this question defies a simple answer. This is primarily because the industry is not a monolith, but a varied system composed of entities including, but not limited to, cargo interests, cargo transportation service providers, marine terminal facilities, rail providers, motor carriers and cargo storage providers. A deceleration of growth will impact stakeholders in different ways, and decelerations are not always linear.
That said, the best approach any business can take to prepare for a deceleration in growth is to seek enhanced efficiency in all aspects of its operations. Efficiency is often sacrificed during challenging times. Lulls provide an opportunity to assess procedures, practices and policies, especially as they relate to information technology, data sharing, and cybersecurity. Cargo-handling stakeholders should learn from the challenges experienced in 2022 and assess what they can do better to provide more efficient service during high-volume times. Key to that is ensuring that cyber systems are assessed for known and anticipated risks. However, that is not enough. A comprehensive cybersecurity assessment should also include planning for recovery in the event of an incident.
Notwithstanding safety risks to vessels and facilities that could result from a cyber incident, delays in cargo deliveries can trigger significant financial losses throughout the supply chain. Accordingly, IT professionals should be working with their operations teams on recovery plans to mitigate the impact of a breach that can provide alternative means of continuing operations. This may involve redundant cloud-based systems as well as preparing and maintaining a fleet of alternative computers to utilize after an incident. These are measures that cannot be undertaken during a cybersecurity incident but need to be planned and implemented prior to such an event.
“ Rather than view this deceleration as a downturn, the industry should use it as a reset: to invest in areas of improvement without the strain of record volumes.”
Stephen Lyman
“ Lulls provide an opportunity to assess procedures, practices and policies, especially as they relate to information technology, data sharing, and cybersecurity.”
Carol Notias Lambos
“ trategic international growth can mitigate economic slowdowns and build resilience.”
Sean Pierce
44 Journal of Commerce | January 5, 2026 www. joc. com