Global port operator DP World has unveiled its latest Annual Outlook Report, showing a resounding number of industry members expect 2026 trade growth to exceed the pace of 2025.
The Global Trade Observatory’s (GTO) Annual Outlook Report for 2026 shows trade leaders remain upbeat on 2026 despite rising barriers, with 94 per cent expecting this year to match or grow from last year.
The survey included 3,500 senior supply chain and logistics executives across eight industries and 19 countries and was conducted ahead of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos.
Despite 53 per cent of respondents anticipating high or very high policy uncertainty, 54 per cent expect trade growth to be faster than 2025 while 40 per cent expect it to be equal.
Only 25 per cent of surveyed people expect a negative impact on their business, with nearly half expecting no effect and 26 per cent seeing a positive impact.
When asked where trade growth potential is greatest in 2026, Europe led the way with 22 per cent of responses ahead of China (17 per cent), Asia Pacific (14 per cent) and North America (13 per cent).
“Global trade is becoming increasingly complex, not less so. Our role is clear: to keep trade moving by understanding where friction exists, anticipating where it may emerge next and investing in the infrastructure, capabilities and partnerships that help our customers operate more efficiently and reliably,” DP World CEO and group chairman Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem says.
The annual outlook for 2026 was developed with Geneva-based insights agency Horizon Group.
“What we’re seeing is confidence with contingency plans. Executives are embedding resilience into strategy by diversifying suppliers, reassessing routes and adding options, because volatility is now the baseline,” Horizon Group managing director Margareta Drzeniek says.
“Those best positioned will be the ones who can turn those resilience plans into measurable performance.”
In 2026, the survey suggests companies are responding to volatility by actively redesigning supply chains and trade routes.
This includes using resilience as strategy and increasing route agility (26 per cent intend to use new routes while 23 per cent are evaluating them), while border friction remains a choke point as 60 per cent cite customs clearance as a leading cause of delays and disruption.