TSL and automotive sectors face rising costs and liquidity risks

The TSL (Transport, Shipping, and Logistics) industry is facing significant financial pressure due to rising operational costs. According to the 2026 TSL Industry Financial Index by Transcash.eu, fuel costs have become the primary driver of rising expenses, cited by 93% of carriers and nearly 63% of freight forwarders. This surge is attributed to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz resulting from the US-Iran conflict.

These rising costs have led to decreased liquidity for over half of the surveyed carriers. Furthermore, Eurostat data for Q2 2026 indicates an 11.4% increase in insolvencies within the transport and warehousing sector across Europe.

In the automotive sector, market research shows that distributors and wholesalers are also heavily focused on cost management. Nearly half of automotive wholesalers identified costs as their greatest operational risk, emphasizing that maintaining profitability depends on balancing logistics efficiency and stock availability against rising fulfillment expenses.