2026 mid-year analysis
Deal Count Stable, Transaction Value at High Level
In the first half of 2026, 105 transactions with a value of at least $50 million were announced in the global transport and logistics sector. This means the deal count was only slightly below the prior-year period figure of 108 transactions. Total value, by contrast, rose by 2.9% to $64.3 billion. At $612.4 million, the average volume was significantly above the long-term average. This is also due to the fact that 17 mega-deals, each with a value of more than $1 billion, were announced in the first half of the year.
Gulf Region Comes into Focus as a Resilient Logistics Hub
The defining theme of the first half of the year was the geopolitical tensions in the Gulf region, which have led to a significant disruption of maritime traffic around the Strait of Hormuz and pose major challenges for the transport and logistics industry: For shipping companies, shippers and infrastructure operators, this increases the demands on alternative corridors, multimodal solutions and digital rerouting capabilities.
The Gulf region will play an even more prominent role in the future. It is evolving from a transit corridor into an important growth market and strategic connector for global supply chains. Transport and logistics companies that succeed in intelligently linking ports, air freight, inland corridors and logistics real estate in the region will gain a key competitive advantage.
Forecast: Deal Activity Remains Selective, Strategic Relevance Is Decisive
M&A activity is likely to remain selective but strategically relevant over the remainder of the year. Capital is expected to flow primarily into assets that demonstrate a clear strategic logic and resilient cash flows, and that make a measurable contribution to the robustness of supply chains. Strategic alliances – for example around autonomous mobility, digital freight platforms and defense logistics – remain an important complement to classic transactions.
"The next deal phase will be shaped by the ability to orchestrate networks, diversify corridors, integrate technologies and secure operational flexibility."
