EU regulation and green barriers

Benchmark Practices

Germany blocks COSCO’s 80% Zippel acquisition over security

Germany has blocked COSCO’s planned acquisition of an 80% stake in German logistics firm Konrad Zippel, citing national security concerns and the need to protect critical supply chains. The decision, announced on 7 October, follows a foreign investment review — separate from earlier antitrust clearance granted in February 2026. COSCO already holds a 24.99% stake in Container Terminal Tollerort at the Port of Hamburg. Konrad Zippel operates hinterland transport services linked to Hamburg and Bremerhaven. The blocked deal highlights growing European scrutiny of foreign investment in logistics infrastructure tied to supply chain resilience.

ESG & Regulation

EU CBAM Cuts Swedish Industry Output 1.3%, Lifts Economy

A new SNS report by economists Christoph Böhringer and Knut Einar Rosendahl shows the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) increases Swedish heavy industry production losses from 0.6% to 1.3%—nearly doubling the impact—while reducing the economy-wide cost of climate policy from 0.05% to near zero. Iron and steel output shifts from a slight gain to a 1.7% loss. CBAM improves terms of trade but offers no export protection, hurting Sweden’s export-oriented sectors. Leakage falls only marginally—from 16.9% to 16.0%—but could drop to 10.6% with export rebates. Full CBAM implementation is set for 2034.

Europe Supply Chain

France, Germany Demand EU Tool to Cut Off China Market Access

France and Germany—the EU’s two largest economies—have jointly demanded a new EU trade instrument enabling immediate cutoff of market access for third countries causing severe distortions. The move follows concerns over China’s €1 billion (US$1.2 billion) daily trade surplus with the EU and aims to meet a mid-October deadline for concrete action. The leaders also backed a supply-chain diversification tool targeting EU reliance on Chinese critical minerals for cars, defence equipment, and electronics. Negotiations begin in Beijing this Thursday.

Digital Platforms

Supply Chain Visibility Investments Slow Decisions, Study Finds

New research in the Journal Of Business Logistics (published Sep 28, 2026) finds supply chain visibility tools have not accelerated decisions — and may slow them without governance. Fewer than 1% of firms assign clear ownership for exceptions; only 9% of employers feel very prepared for AI's labor impact (Sep 29, 2026); nearly half of service robots sold in 2025 targeted logistics. The study stresses predefined response guidelines and feedback loops as essential complements to visibility tech.

Strategic Sourcing

Electrolux appoints Daniele Rossi as chief procurement officer

Electrolux Group appointed Daniele Rossi as chief procurement officer on Sept. 1, 2026, succeeding Michelle Shi-Verdaasdonk after her 14-month tenure in the role. Rossi, based in Susegana, Italy, brings over 30 years of procurement and supply chain experience. He reports to Shi-Verdaasdonk in her new capacity as chief product officer, reflecting Electrolux’s integration of procurement into its product organization. Rossi highlighted 'design-to-cost' initiatives in early R&D and platform-wide standardization to cut complexity and cost pre-production. The move was announced in a Sept. 23, 2026 press release.

ESG & Regulation

Google, Microsoft, DSV join ZEMBA to cut 120,000 tonnes GHG by 2027

Google, Microsoft, and DSV have joined the Zero Emission Maritime Buyers Alliance (ZEMBA) to collectively procure low- and zero-emission shipping services. ZEMBA’s 2027 e-fuel tender — awarded in December 2025 to Hapag-Lloyd and North Sea Container Line — will deploy e-methanol and green ammonia on dedicated routes. The two projects together are expected to avoid approximately 120,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over three years from 2027. Participants use a book-and-claim system to allocate verified emissions reductions across their Scope 3 supply chains.

Strategic Sourcing

EU Sets 70% EV Parts Local Sourcing Rule, Pressuring Hyundai

The EU plans to require more than 70% of EV components — excluding batteries — to be sourced within the bloc by 2028, challenging Hyundai Motor Group’s supply chain. Though Hyundai and Kia operate two major European plants with combined capacity of 700,000 units annually, their local parts sourcing falls short of the new 70% threshold. Chinese automakers’ European market share rose 4.1 percentage points to 11.2%, led by BYD’s 144.1% sales surge. The EU will finalize implementation details in December, including rules on Turkish assembly and battery-cell inclusion.

Warehousing & Transport

Uber Freight doubles European 4PL contracts, opens Krakow hub in 2027

Uber Freight doubled its European 4PL contract wins in 2025 and will open a second 4PL control center and operations hub in Krakow, Poland, in 2027. The company, ranked No. 16 on Transport Topics’ 2026 Top 100 logistics companies list, acquired Transplace in 2021 for $225 million — a deal that brought its Netherlands-based 4PL facility into the fold. Rebecca Tinucci, CEO of Uber Freight, emphasized the strategic opportunity to unify fragmented logistics across regions. Mike Doucleff now leads European growth, following leadership roles at Schneider Electric and Alpitronic. Globally, Uber Freight employs over 4,000 people.

Geopolitics

H&M Q3 operating profit rises 23% on tariff refunds, margin gains

H&M Group reported a 23% rise in operating profit for Q3 FY2026, driven by one-time tariff refunds and higher margins from cost controls. Net sales fell 4.4% in the first nine months of 2026. The results were released on September 24, 2026. The company attributes the profit gain to discrete, non-recurring factors rather than structural revenue improvement. No revised full-year guidance or executive commentary accompanied the announcement.

Technology

Uber Freight launches Krakow control tower for European 4PL expansion

Uber Freight is expanding its European fourth-party logistics operation with a new control tower and operations hub in Krakow set to open next year. The company appointed Mike Doucleff as head of Europe effective 28 September and reported a 25% year-on-year freight revenue increase to $1.58bn in Q2, alongside a $24m operating loss. Its European 4PL business—acquired via Transplace and separate from its 2020-sold European brokerage—now serves global clients like OXEA across North America and Europe. Customer adoption of multiple services rose to 30%, up from 24% last year, and over 80% of large managed transportation clients also use its capacity solutions.

Technology

Uber Freight scales European 4PL with Krakow hub, $1.58bn freight revenue

Uber Freight is expanding its European fourth-party logistics operation with a new control tower and operations hub in Krakow set to open next year. The company appointed Mike Doucleff as head of Europe effective 28 September and reported that new 4PL deals in Europe doubled last year. Freight revenue rose 25% year on year to $1.58bn in Q2 2026, though the division posted a $24m operating loss. Its first transatlantic 4PL client is OXEA, covering transport across the US, Canada, Mexico, and Europe. The firm notes growing customer demand for integrated logistics solutions, with 30% of customers now using two or more services—up from 24% last year—and over 80% of large managed transportation clients also using its capacity solutions.

Disruptions

Record-Low Rhine Levels Choke Barge Traffic, Stress Ground Transport

Record-low Rhine River water levels — falling to 32 cm at Kaub on September 15, 2026, the lowest since 1920 — are crippling barge traffic. Navigation restrictions took effect on September 10, 2026, forcing up to 40% load reductions and diverting 1.7 million tons of freight to roads and rails. Chemical and energy sectors report steep shipment declines: BASF cut ammonia barge deliveries by 12%, while coal deliveries dropped 31%. Rhine freight volumes fell 37% YoY in mid-September, with levels expected to stay below 50 cm through October 2026.