The embrace of technology was clear at Manifest 2026, where speakers and exhibitors presented the transportation sector can become smarter and faster by implementing AI and robotics.

The warning came after Panama authorities invalidated CK Hutchison’s contract to operate the Balboa and Cristobal ports, seeking Maersk’s APM Terminals to run them in a transition phase.  

The gauge — which contains industry stalwarts such as CSX, FedEx and Old Dominion Freight Line  — has been catapulted higher by strong data and a pivot away from the big tech winners of the last few years. 

Investors led by buyout firm Advent International and FedEx are seeking to buy Polish parcel-locker company InPost in a deal that values the business at $9.3 billion.

Amazon reported fourth-quarter earnings slightly below Wall Street estimates even as sales surged and it reported the fastest growth in its prominent cloud computing business in 13 quarters.

The report on Feb. 5 also showed hiring intentions slid 13% from a year earlier to 5,306 — marking the weakest total for any January in the firm’s records back to 2009.

Maersk plans to cut 1,000 jobs and focus on cost discipline this year as the container giant seeks to insulate its earnings against deteriorating freight rates with Red Sea routes reopening. 

Old Dominion Freight Line doubled down on improving operations and services after reporting a drop in revenue for the fourth quarter of 2025.

The Hong Kong-based conglomerate said in a separate stock exchange filing that it will “vigorously pursue” the case under the rules of the International Chamber of Commerce.

Supply continues to expand at a record pace, with a projected 36% surge in new vessel capacity from 2023 to 2027. On the flip side, demand for container shipping is expected to contract 1.1% in 2026.