Top 5 European transport and logistics trends to watch in 2026

European road transport will be moving fast in 2026. New reporting rules are taking effect, intermodal lanes are expanding, and fleets are under more pressure to cut emissions.

Especially if you’re shipping pharmaceuticals, high-value goods or food and beverages, your best friends in the year ahead will be reliable data, secure capacity and greener logistics with a clear audit trail. Here’s our quick guide to staying ahead of the top five EU transport and logistics trends of 2026.

1. Sustainability reporting gets tougher

When it comes to sustainable logistics, Europe is leading the way in 2026. To promote efficient transport, EU legislation now requires large companies to provide clear, audited data on their emissions, including what happens in their supply chains. That means shippers will also start asking smaller carriers to prove their CO₂ emissions reduction logistics initiatives.

On top of that, the ETS2 carbon emissions reporting rules that started rolling out in 2025 will get tougher. Specifically, starting in 2026, companies will be required to have their sustainability audited by an accredited verifier. If your company is affected by the new rules, it’s a good time to look for a software solution that automatically tracks and prepares audit-proof CO₂ emissions logistics reporting.

2. Intermodal offers a cleaner alternative

In 2026, we’re going to see more freight shifting from roads to rail, or a mix of both. New hubs like the Multimodal Terminal in Małaszewicze or expanding infrastructure like the Vienna Freight Centre will make it easier to ensure efficient transport EU-wide, while keeping emissions down. For food, pharma and high-value transporters, intermodal routes can give you steadier delivery times with a smaller footprint, because the new terminals will be able to handle temperature-controlled and high-value loads faster and more reliably than before.

3. Charging infrastructure catches up

As it continues to promote sustainable logistics, Europe is investing more in electric trucks. We expect to see that trend continue in 2026, as some countries, like Germany, the Netherlands, Bulgaria and Denmark are extending or expanding government subsidies for electric trucks and charging infrastructure.

Charging points are popping up along major freight routes, backed by new EU targets that require high-power stations for trucks every 60 to 100 kilometres on the main Trans-European transport network. Those new stations are also required to accept card and cashless payment, and to publish real-time availability info online.

4. The cold chain gets smarter

The cold chain logistics industry will continue to expand in the year ahead, on top of five years of incredible growth. What’s driving the cold chain boom? In part, we’re seeing soaring demand for fresh and frozen foods, including the expansion of online grocery shopping. Another driver has been the rise of next-generation pharmaceuticals, such as new vaccines and biologics that require temperature-controlled transport.

In 2026, EU inspectors will once again be closely monitoring how temperature-sensitive goods are transported, with a focus on safety and proper documentation. At the same time, energy use from refrigerated storage will count toward CSRD emissions reports, so large companies in particular will be focusing on efficiency and avoiding waste.

5. Supply chain digitalization

The driver shortage won’t ease next year. According to the latest IRU stats, Europe is still short by nearly half a million drivers, and more and more drivers are nearing retirement age. Less than 5% of European truckers are under the age of 25.

To do more with less, more companies are investing in supply chain digitalization. Live transport management systems, for example, show which trucks are nearby and what space is still free. When a delay hits, they can reassign a load in minutes instead of hours.

More transport teams are also integrating data from various sources into single transport management systems, so drivers, shippers and planners all see the same data, routes, arrival times and even temperature logs. This visibility makes it easier to keep loads on schedule and spot problems in time to intervene. For food, pharma and high-value goods transporters, it means fewer temperature risks and safer, more reliable operations.

Plus, full, real-time visibility adds more safety to your supply chain. This is especially important given the catastrophic surge in cargo theft that we’ve been seeing over the past few years: ten times more cases now than in 2021 and up to €8.2 billion in damage to companies across Europe. Technologies like 24/7 GPS monitoring and geofencing let you keep watch over shipments and detect suspicious activity fast.

Ready for 2026?

We expect to see plenty of changes in 2026, but also new ways to make transport simpler, cleaner and more connected. With reliable data and clear visibility, you can stay ahead of new rules and keep your shipments on track. Want to learn how CtrlChain can help? Contact us today and get started with a free demo.