LEON, GTO.- International trade and supply chains are in a stage of change that forces a rethinking of strategies, investments and business models, explained Luis Angel Mera, co-founder and CEO of Vertice Worldwide .
In his keynote address, “What’s happening in global logistics and where are we headed? The most disruptive decade since the creation of the shipping container has already begun!”, at the second edition of Road 2 Logistics Automotive 2026 , organized by the Industrial Cluster , the specialist argued that the rules that defined the growth of the logistics sector over the last few decades are no longer sufficient to meet current challenges . Geopolitical uncertainty, market concentration, and pressure on infrastructure are reshaping competitiveness.
Speaking to representatives from the automotive industry, supply chains, and logistics operators, Mera González explained that global maritime transport is increasingly concentrated in a small group of shipping companies and strategic alliances, which gives these actors greater negotiating power and forces other participants in the chain to redefine their value proposition .
This trend has direct implications for independent freight forwarders and logistics operators, who face competition from increasingly larger companies.
Mera emphasized that logistics is no longer a predictable activity . While companies used to be able to design strategies with five- or ten-year horizons, “now it’s changing from one week to the next.”
Uncertainty stemming from U.S. trade policies was identified as one of the factors that most influence investment decisions in North America, as it generates caution among companies evaluating expanding operations, building warehouses, or installing new production plants.
Another point he highlighted was the growing vulnerability of ports. Mera recalled recent cases of congestion in Latin America, where delays caused significant logistical cost overruns , operational disruptions, and losses for importers and exporters.
Port infrastructure has become a strategic element for the competitiveness of countries. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) , more than 80% of global merchandise trade is transported by sea, making ports fundamental facilities for the functioning of global supply chains.
The event also addressed the impact of geopolitics on international logistics . Investments in ports, logistics corridors, and infrastructure projects no longer respond solely to economic criteria, but also to the strategic interests of countries and trade blocs.
In this context, Latin America faces the challenge of maintaining its competitiveness while navigating the trade tensions of the world’s major economies. For Mexico, this situation is particularly relevant due to its integration with the United States and the phenomenon of nearshoring (the relocation of companies).
Luis Ángel Mera emphasized that specialization will be one of the decisive factors for the success of logistics operators. He indicated that having in-depth knowledge of an industry, understanding its production processes, and anticipating its risks will allow them to generate higher-value solutions for their clients.
In the specific case of the automotive sector, he stated that understanding cargo movements is no longer enough. Logistics providers must understand the entire supply chain structure , from first-tier manufacturers to second- and third-tier suppliers, to meet the demands of this industry.
Mera questioned the traditional approach based solely on price. In this regard, he argued that many operators continue to focus their commercial proposals on rates and volumes, while supply chain managers face broader challenges related to planning, resilience, operating costs, and business continuity .
According to their vision, the next generation of successful logistics companies will be those capable of evolving from a transactional supplier to a strategic partner . This involves understanding the customer’s objectives, participating in solving operational problems, and contributing directly to value creation within the supply chain.
The conference’s message was clear: logistics can no longer be limited to the movement of goods. In an environment marked by market concentration, pressure on infrastructure, geopolitical uncertainty, and the transformation of supply chains, adaptability and specialization will be the main differentiators for companies.
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