WSI’s Warehouse Wire: January 16, 2026

Your connection to what’s happening across warehousing, transportation, and supply chain operations.

WSI’s bi-weekly news roundup brings together the stories shaping how supply chains are built, protected, and optimized on the warehouse floor, across transportation networks, and throughout the broader logistics ecosystem.

From shifting industrial real estate dynamics and rising cargo theft to evolving cybersecurity risks and new data on inventory and logistics performance, supply chain decision-making continues to accelerate. The forces influencing cost, capacity, and resilience aren’t slowing down; and neither is the pace of change.

In this edition, we break down what matters most right now, including renewed momentum in the U.S. industrial real estate market and signs that warehouse construction may be stabilizing. Also, a surge in cargo theft highlighted by high-profile incidents, emerging supply chain and AI security concerns for 2026. Lastly, the latest logistics index data, revealing how the holiday season reshaped inventories and transportation activity. We’re also sharing insights from WSI’s own supply chain moves survey, capturing how leaders are planning for the year ahead.

Each issue highlights the trends, data, and decisions influencing warehouse strategy, transportation planning, risk management, and long-term operational resilience.

Check back every other week for timely headlines and practical insights shaping the future of warehousing and supply chain operations.

GoodShip unveils Laney, the industry’s first AI transportation analyst

GoodShip announced on January 13, 2026, that it has launched Laney, an embedded AI transportation analyst designed to deliver real-time analytics, optimization, and reporting through a conversational interface.¹ This new capability is built directly into the GoodShip platform and aims to help transportation teams make faster, more informed decisions across their freight networks.

Laney lets users ask complex, ad hoc questions that go beyond predefined dashboards, while working alongside GoodShip’s existing workflows and tools. The AI analyst can model procurement award scenarios, analyze carrier performance, identify optimization opportunities, and assess how variables such as lead time, seasonality, and day of week impact cost and service. It can also generate custom reports with tables and charts on demand.

Unlike generic AI tools, Laney connects directly to a customer’s live transportation data, including loads, carriers, contracts, and spend benchmarks, with transparent, sourced insights. Early users say the tool has accelerated analysis and improved visibility into service performance.

Lobster heist highlights escalating cargo theft trend across U.S. supply chains in 2025

According to a NICB (National Insurance Crime Bureau) report, 2025 cargo theft incidents keep rising in prevalence: in the second quarter, it was up 4% over Q1 and 33% over Q2 last year.²

Notable incidents keep making headlines: for example, the theft of two truckloads carrying 24,000 bottles of Guy Fieri and Sammy Hagar’s Santo tequila.³

The most recent heist to make headlines was Costco lobsters.⁴ Costco lost roughly $400,000 worth of lobster after criminals allegedly used carrier spoofing and fake credentials to steal a truckload of seafood destined for stores in Illinois and Minnesota. The incident is part of a broader surge in organized cargo theft targeting food and beverage shipments across the U.S.

The Costco lobster theft highlights how sophisticated cargo theft schemes have become, with organized groups impersonating legitimate carriers, altering truck markings, and exploiting gaps in verification processes. Similar incidents involving crab, oysters, and high-value alcohol point to a nationwide trend, with food and beverage among the most frequently stolen goods and losses estimated to reach tens of billions of dollars annually. Beyond direct financial impact, cargo theft disrupts supply chains, damages reputations, and reduces tax revenue for local and state governments.

Addressing the issue requires tighter carrier verification, stronger authentication at pickup, and greater use of real-time visibility tools across transportation networks. Shippers and logistics providers are increasingly looking to multi-factor identity checks, secure communication protocols, and advanced tracking and monitoring to reduce risk. At a broader level, proposed federal coordination efforts and stronger collaboration between industry and law enforcement aim to curb organized cargo crime and freight fraud and improve supply chain security nationwide.

Global chemical logistics market size projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.37% from 2026 to 2032

The global chemical logistics market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.37% between 2026 and 2032,⁵ according to a new report from Verified Market Research®. The market was valued at $285.7 million in 2024 and is projected to reach $363.5 million by the end of the forecast period.

The projected growth is being driven by rising global chemical production, expanding international supply chains, and increased demand for specialized chemical logistics services capable of safely handling hazardous and temperature-sensitive materials.

Manufacturers and distributors are prioritizing logistics partners that can deliver compliant storage, multimodal transportation, and precise inventory management, while reducing lead times and improving service reliability. The adoption of automation, IoT-enabled monitoring, and digital supply chain technologies is further improving visibility, safety, and operational efficiency.

However, high operating costs, complex regulatory requirements, and shortages of skilled, certified labor continue to constrain market expansion.

Asia-Pacific leads global demand due to strong chemical manufacturing growth, while North America and Europe remain influential markets driven by advanced infrastructure and strict safety standards.

Warehouse building stabilizes in 2026 amid high costs and headwinds

U.S. warehouse construction is showing signs of stabilization heading into 2026 after a prolonged downturn that began in late 2023, according to new analysis from Interact Analysis.⁶ While the market is no longer in freefall, recovery remains slow as developers contend with persistently high construction costs and tight financing conditions.

The value of warehouse construction declined sharply through 2023 and 2024, with negative momentum continuing into 2025, though at a slower pace. However, recent improvements are largely driven by delayed projects re-entering the pipeline rather than new speculative builds. Developers remain cautious, as construction costs sit near record highs and the financial risk of holding vacant space remains elevated.

Ecommerce demand has helped prevent a deeper contraction, sustaining baseline need for warehousing capacity even as new development slowed. Analysts note the market is approaching an inflection point, with easing uncertainty and returning projects pointing to a gradual reset rather than a rapid rebound but geopolitical risks and trade tensions could still disrupt progress.

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Stable vacancy and rising absorption indicate healthier U.S. industrial market

The U.S. industrial real estate market closed 2025 on stronger footing, with stable vacancy, rising absorption, and sustained leasing activity signaling a shift toward more balanced growth heading into 2026, according to Cushman & Wakefield.⁷ National vacancy held steady at 7.1% for a second consecutive quarter, suggesting the market may be nearing its peak.

Demand accelerated in the second half of the year, with fourth-quarter net absorption reaching 54.5 million square feet, up 29% year over year. Full-year absorption climbed 16.3% compared with 2024, marking the strongest six-month demand trend since 2023. Leasing activity also strengthened, led by large-format transactions and modern, automation-ready facilities.

On the supply side, new industrial deliveries fell 35% in 2025, easing pressure on vacancy and reflecting a shift away from speculative development. Together, moderating supply and resilient demand are positioning the U.S. industrial market for healthier conditions in 2026.

AI’s rise and supply chain gaps push security to the top of CISO agendas

Cybersecurity leaders are prioritizing AI and supply chain security as top risks heading into 2026, according to the World Economic Forum’s Global Cybersecurity Outlook.⁸ Nearly all executives surveyed expect AI to be the most consequential force shaping cybersecurity, with 87% reporting a rise in AI-related vulnerabilities in 2025. More than one-third of organizations experienced data leaks tied to generative AI, while many cited concern over attackers’ growing use of the technology.

Supply chain risk is also intensifying: 65% of large organizations identified third-party and supply chain exposure as their biggest cyber resilience challenge, up from 54% the prior year. Vendor concentration and limited visibility into supplier ecosystems were highlighted as key vulnerabilities, particularly as outages or breaches at major providers can trigger widespread disruption.

Despite increased scrutiny, advanced resilience practices remain limited, meaning many organizations still treat supply chain security as a compliance exercise rather than a continuous risk management priority.

December logistics score hits record low as holiday inventory drawdown indicates supply chain shift

The Logistics Managers’ Index (LMI) fell to 54.2 in December 2025, its lowest level since April 2024, as record inventory depletion during the holiday season reshaped supply chain activity.⁹ Inventory levels dropped sharply to 35.1, marking the largest month-over-month decline on record amid strong consumer spending.

As inventories thinned, warehousing utilization declined to 42.9 while available capacity increased, reflecting rapid stock drawdowns. Transportation activity moved in the opposite direction, with utilization rising to 58.2 and transportation prices climbing to 66.7, the highest level since early 2025.

Researchers at Florida Atlantic University said the data points to a shift toward leaner downstream inventories, while upstream partners prepare to hold more safety stock. Looking ahead, respondents expect inventory rebuilding and tighter transportation capacity to shape logistics conditions in 2026.

Mexican logistics startup WeShip plans U.S. market entry

Mexican-built logistics software company WeShip is expanding into the U.S. market in 2026, beginning with domestic parcel shipping and laying the groundwork for future cross-border and freight services.¹⁰Founded by former ecommerce operators Luis Alanis and Adrian Galan, the Monterrey-based platform connects merchants to multiple parcel carriers through a single interface, enabling rate comparison, shipment management, and delivery visibility.

The company will initially support U.S. operations for existing customers that already ship on both sides of the border, with cross-border parcel capabilities to follow. WeShip says its operator-built technology and growing carrier partnerships position it to compete in the highly concentrated U.S. parcel market.

WSI | Kase Supply Chain Moves Survey Reveals Key Trends and Strategic Shifts in 2025

A new survey from WSI | Kase finds that rising tariff exposure, shifting trade agreements, and demand for predictable lead times are accelerating the move toward regionally aligned supply chain networks. Based on insights from 250 supply chain executives, the report shows nearshoring and reshoring efforts moving from pilot programs to active execution. Respondents highlighted technology and visibility gaps as key risks, while emphasizing the role of strategic logistics partnerships and targeted infrastructure investments in building more resilient, compliant, and geopolitically secure supply chains.

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About the Author

Alyssa Wolfe

Alyssa Wolfe is a content strategist, storyteller, and creative and content lead with over a decade of experience shaping brand narratives across industries including retail, travel, logistics, fintech, SaaS, B2C, and B2B services. She specializes in turning complex ideas into clear, human-centered content that connects, informs, and inspires. With a background in journalism, marketing, and digital strategy, Alyssa brings a sharp editorial eye and a collaborative spirit to every project. Her work spans thought leadership, executive ghostwriting, brand messaging, and educational content—all grounded in a deep understanding of audience needs and business goals. Alyssa is passionate about the power of language to drive clarity and change, and she believes the best content not only tells a story, but builds trust and sparks action.