AS A stream of DCN contributors lament the glitches in and frustrations of supply chains in Australia a report by DP World has found similar problems in North America are costing companies big dollars.
Released as part of the Dubai-based group’s The World Without Logistics series of reports, the analysis has found 50% of North American businesses lost more than one month of operational time due to supply chain disruption in the past year, while nearly 40% incurred disruption-related costs of US$1 million or more.
The report highlights how mounting supply chain disruption is reshaping trade strategies across the Americas, as businesses move faster to diversify supply chains, invest in resilient infrastructure, and integrate logistics operations closer to end markets.
DP World says the latest report builds on its Without Logistics series by quantifying the real cost of disruption and examining how challenges vary by region and industry. From port congestion and border delays to extreme weather and geopolitical tension, the report finds that pressure on global supply chains is intensifying, and that many organizations are still reacting too late.
Morten Johansen, DP World’s chief operation officer in the Americas, said supply chain disruption was happening more frequently, from more directions, and the cost of reacting too late was growing.
“This report reinforces the need for supply chains that boost diversification, more regional, and better integrated. Across the Americas, customers are prioritising infrastructure quality, reliability, and end-to-end connectivity to stay competitive in an increasingly complex trade environment,” Mr Johansen said.
The report is based on a survey of hundreds of beneficial cargo owners across eight industries and nine major trade regions, spanning both C-suite and operational decision-makers. Key findings from the report point to measurable shifts underway across North, Central, and South America:
Around 65% of North American companies expect total logistics spending to increase in the next 12 months, with 78% planning higher investment in AI, automation, and digital logistics tools over the next three years, signalling a shift from reactive disruption management toward longer-term resilience planning.
More than 80% of respondents expect logistics to become a more strategic focus in board-level decision-making, reinforcing logistics’ growing role as a competitive differentiator rather than a back-office function.
The report does not attribute disruption impacts to specific government policies, instead focusing on operational and structural supply chain challenges.
However, DP World says that as global supply chains continue to recalibrate, the report positions the Americas as a critical engine for future trade growth — supported by modern infrastructure, expanding regional trade corridors, and increased collaboration between public and private stakeholders.
“The report underscores a simple reality: when logistics works, the world works. Companies that invest early in resilient, integrated supply chains are better positioned to manage disruption, protect competitiveness, and unlock long-term growth,” the company says.