DHL: Ongoing Trends in Global Trade and Logistics

Global trade and logistics has undergone significant shifts in recent years, facing ongoing disruption and being met with new tools to drive resilience.

Trade routes have been rewritten and strategies for success have changed dramatically.

The DHL Trade Atlas explores data from around the world in order to create a strategic map – which is particularly vital in the current geopolitical climate. 

Conversations like this are taking place across global supply chains every day, including at Supply Chain LIVE: The London Summit in September. Secure your ticket today to make sure you do not miss out. 

Volatility in the market

Many disruptors have hit supply chains in recent years, both as a hindrance and as a tool. Events like Covid-19, the Russian-Ukraine war, conflict in the Middle East and US President Donald Trump's tariffs have all made supply chain leaders re-evaluate their strategies.

While some have diversified their supply chains, developing resilience from a wider net of suppliers or partners, others have turned to localisation to avoid disruption from the other side of the world. Reactions to market shifts have changed – the tariffs meant that some organisations invested more into US manufacturing, whereas other organisations turned further away from the nation.

What has been seen, however, is the impact of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). These have crept into the market and displayed their value, whether through ESG targets or cost savings and resilience strategies.

The global supply chain is changing – in Latin America, shifting export regulations, new trade agreements and changing supply chains are currently impacting the region's international trade.  

"Yet, despite macroeconomic turbulence, the Atlas highlights resilient, highly positive signals on the global logistics horizon," explains Leendert van Delft, Vice-President Global Sales Programs, (Digital) Marketing and Global E-commerce at DHL Express.

Ongoing growth

Global trade is expected to grow faster in the next five years than it has throughout the previous decade, due to cross-border demand and the increase of ecommerce options – such as Temu, TikTok Shop and Shein. 

Decision-makers are having to manage risks in a growing number, particularly as the global trade environment becomes increasingly complex. It is, however, paving the way for new opportunities – new trade relationships, uncovered opportunity for raw materials production and more. 

The DHL Atlas aims to help global businesses focus on their growth strategy while navigating complex markets. 

It has found that new routing channels and untapped consumer demand have been unlocked across trade corridors, due to various global shifts. Business leaders should develop active strategies, using data to modernise and solidify plans.

Global Trade and Logistics at Supply Chain LIVE

Those hoping to gain real world insights from leaders navigating trade complexities should attend Supply Chain LIVE: The London Summit. Co-located with Procurement LIVE and Sustainability LIVE, the event is hosted by BizClik and Supply Chain Digital on  8-9 September at the QEII Centre in Westminster. 

Join more than 1,000 attendees and hear insights from more than 50 speakers. This includes a featured panel where leaders will discuss the trends currently shaping global trade and logistics.

Here, experts will discuss cross-border operations, regulatory compliance and strategies for optimising international supply chain networks.

Attend the Global Trade and Logistics panel to hear a focussed discussion on the topic.

The Global Trade and Logistics panel:

Date: 8 September
Time: 14:15-15:00 BST
Location: Supply Chain Stage

Secure your ticket, or become a sponsor for the panel.