Port congestion is back in 2026 — but it looks nothing like 2021. We break down what's driving the disruption, which sectors are most exposed, and what to do now.

Published: March 12, 2026 Just six weeks ago, we published an analysis of container shipping's biggest structural transformation in a decade. The article outlined what happened in 2025—alliance restructuring, new network configurations, the Suez Canal's gradual reopening—and what to expect in 2026. The conclusion was cautiously optimistic: if networks held stable and disruptions stayed manageable, 2026 could be a year of operational normalization. Then February 28 happened. I