2026 Ocean and Inland Freight Outlook for the Aftermarket
Free (Auto Care Login Required)
Register Now!Hosted by Government Affairs
Session overview
Global supply chains are getting squeezed from both ends at once: unpredictable ocean freight overseas, and diesel costs running more than 60% above the levels most distribution networks were built around. This session pairs HCS International’s ocean shipping outlook with Ducker Carlisle’s inland freight cost analysis to give members a full port-to-delivery view of what is driving costs into 2027, and the tradeoffs available to manage them.
Attendees will walk away with:
How ocean freight volatility, port congestion, and carrier reliability issues are affecting aftermarket parts availability, pricing, and lead times.
Why diesel prices remain well above the roughly $4 baseline most freight networks are built around, and what that means for inland shipping costs.
The core tradeoff shippers face right now: speed versus cost, and how to make that call without putting customer delivery at risk.
A combined port-to-pavement view members can use to pressure-test their own sourcing and distribution strategy for 2027.
