Global trade enters a period of volatility that is no longer episodic but embedded. DP World’s latest analysis underscores just how uneven and costly these impacts have become. The firm’s World Without Logistics: Global Report lays out a granular scenario of disruption across regions and sectors. The study reveals why some markets tend to absorb shocks more effectively while others tend to remain exposed to prolonged operational and reputational damage.
DP World positions the report as the culmination of its multi-year ‘without logistics’ series. It’s an attempt to quantify the real cost of disruption rather than treat it as an abstract risk. Based on hundreds of interviews with cargo owners from various industries and regions, the study points out 5 key trends: the Global South faces more pressure, broad logistics investments are very valuable, delays lead to major brand issues, and there is a strong agreement among all levels of management on the need to invest more in digital technology and automation.
The data reflect that disruption is no longer concentrated during exceptional events; instead, climate swings, political flashpoints, labor shortages, and infrastructure failures combine to extend downtime and intensify uncertainty. Beat Simon, the COO for Logistics at DP World, asserts that the effects are often cumulative. Companies are finding themselves increasingly trapped in reactive cycles, with limited opportunities for recovery. These dynamics align with broader industry reporting. It notes rising congestion risk at climate-sensitive chokepoints. These are the Panama Canal and Red Sea corridors, where water levels and geopolitical tensions have materially altered routing decisions over the past year.
North American respondents report high disruption costs. 38% say annual impacts exceed USD 1 million. However, overall resilience remains comparatively strong. Half of the surveyed firms tend to lose more than a month of operational time annually. Most do not experience long-term brand image. Investment tends to focus on digital tools and automation. This is with nearly 4 in 5 firms allocating capital to these areas. The region’s diversified inland networks are expanding nearshoring activities. Recent trade analyses document these developments, which have also mitigated the impact of global congestion.
Europe experienced heavy disruption, although conditions vary sharply. German and UK firms reflect confidence in partner networks. France struggles with both higher brand erosion and lower preparedness. 62% of European firms say their brand image has suffered due to delays. Reputational risk no longer confines itself to customer-facing sectors. European regulators intensify scrutiny on corridor reliability. The issue is particularly around energy transition materials. As such, firms face mounting pressure to prove resilience, not mere capacity.
The MENA region emerges as one of the most stressed operating environments. 72% of firms lose more than a month of annual uptime, and 43% incur disruptions exceeding USD 1 million. All surveyed firms report brand damage tied to logistics delays. However, confidence in logistics partners tends to be high. This trend reflects accelerated investment in inland connectivity. Additionally, they are investing in modern terminals and digital trade platforms. These mentioned areas are where DP World has been active across the Gulf and North African gateways.
Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) tends to experience the most severe disruption globally. 83% of companies report losing more than a month of operational time. A further 86% cite reputational fallout. Despite this, the companies’ intentions for improvement remain notably strong. 97% plan to invest in logistics and AI. The report focuses on broader continental initiatives in upgrading transport corridors from Dakar to Mombasa. Recent economic development reports have documented these initiatives, but execution gaps persist.
DP World’s analysis also highlights the uneven distribution of disruption across sectors. Automotive experiences tend to be fewer but far costlier incidents. Approximately 13,000 events result in annual disruption costs of USD 13 billion. This is the case whilst retail absorbs 18,000 incidents annually at a significantly lower cost of USD 7.5 billion. Perishables and healthcare remain the most sensitive to chronic shocks, considering both temperature and time dependencies.
