TSL and automotive sector financial pressures

The transport, shipping, and logistics (TSL) sector is experiencing significant financial pressure driven by rising operational costs and liquidity challenges. According to the 2026 TSL Industry Financial Index by Transcash.eu, fuel costs have emerged as the primary rising expense, 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 a decline in liquidity for over half of surveyed carriers. This trend is supported by Eurostat data from the second quarter of 2026, which reported an 11.4% increase in insolvencies within the transport and warehousing sector across Europe.

In addition to the TSL sector, the automotive industry is also facing risks. Market research indicates that automotive wholesalers are heavily focused on cost management, with nearly half identifying costs as their greatest operational risk. Maintaining profitability in this sector now depends on balancing logistics efficiency and stock availability against increasing fulfillment expenses.