Corporate Moving update – March 2026
Global Corporate Moving continues to operate within a complex shipping and regulatory environment. Regional instability, sustainability investment, industry consolidation and regulatory reform are shaping freight capacity, cost structures and service reliability. Organisations managing international relocations should remain attentive to both regional disruption risks and longer-term structural change within the shipping sector.
Middle East
Santa Fe Relocation continues to monitor developments affecting logistics activity across parts of the Middle East. Our operations remain active and our teams across the region continue to support clients and partners. The safety and wellbeing of our employees, customers, clients and suppliers remain our highest priority.
While services continue, conditions remain unpredictable and may affect regional logistics and shipping activity. Shipments currently in transit may experience delays, rerouting, temporary holds or schedule adjustments as shipping lines, airlines and port authorities introduce precautionary operational measures. We are working closely with carriers and regional partners to minimise disruption and maintain continuity wherever possible.
Clients should be aware that additional operational costs are increasingly likely as a result of these developments. These may include carrier surcharges, routing adjustments, storage, handling or related charges imposed by transport providers or local authorities. Existing shipments already in transit may be impacted. Our teams will communicate directly where adjustments or cost implications arise and will continue to provide updates as further information becomes available.
Investment in dual-fuel shipping accelerates
According to the World Shipping Council’s Dual Fuel Fleet Dashboard, 400 dual-fuel container ships and vehicle carriers are now in operation, up from 218 in 2024. A further 726 vessels are currently on order, representing 76 percent of the global orderbook. In total, 1,126 dual-fuel vessels have either been delivered or are on order, reflecting a 28 percent year-on-year increase and more than USD 150 billion in sector-wide investment.
Methanol and methane dual-fuel vessels are leading future fuel demand as carriers prepare for compliance with the IMO Net Zero Framework, which targets a 65 percent reduction in carbon emissions by 2040 and net zero around 2050. While this transition supports long-term decarbonisation objectives, it will continue to influence vessel deployment, fuel strategy and freight pricing structures over time.
Hapag-Lloyd acquisition to reshape network capacity
Hapag-Lloyd has signed an agreement to acquire 100 percent of ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd in a transaction valued at approximately USD 4 billion. The combined business would operate more than 400 vessels with capacity exceeding three million TEU and transport over 18 million TEU annually.
The acquisition is expected to strengthen coverage across Transpacific, Intra-Asia, Atlantic, Latin America and East Mediterranean trades. Subject to shareholder and regulatory approval, completion is anticipated by late 2026. Consolidation of this scale may influence service networks, alliance structures and long-term freight contract negotiations.
EU action on subcontracting practices
The European Parliament has voted to strengthen oversight of subcontracting chains and labour intermediaries across the EU, highlighting concerns around accountability within extended supply chains. The European Commission will now review the recommendations and consider EU-wide legislative proposals aimed at increasing transparency and reinforcing cross-border labour inspections.
For Corporate Moving programmes, any tightening of subcontracting regulation may affect inland haulage arrangements and multi-layered transport models within certain European corridors. Businesses should monitor further developments as regulatory proposals evolve.
Drone cargo trials in remote UK regions
Windracers has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Highlands and Islands Transport Partnership to explore the deployment of cargo drones across remote Scottish regions. Supported by Innovate UK’s Sustainable Aviation Test Environment programme, the initiative will assess the use of unmanned aircraft systems for freight movements in rural and hard-to-access areas.
Although early stage, such developments illustrate continued experimentation with alternative logistics models, particularly where conventional transport infrastructure presents limitations.
Strategic considerations for organisations
Given the current operating environment, organisations managing international relocations should plan shipments with additional lead time where regional instability exists, allow contingency for routing adjustments and cost variation, and monitor sustainability-linked cost developments within freight contracts. Close coordination with relocation providers remains essential to maintain visibility over shipments and respond promptly to operational changes.
Santa Fe Relocation continues to monitor market developments and regional conditions closely to support informed decision-making across Corporate Moving programmes. For further guidance, please contact your designated Santa Fe consultant.
Henk Schutte
Group Move Supply Chain Manager
Santa Fe Relocation
henk.schutte@santaferelo.com
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