Dear business leaders and industry colleagues,
August 2025 was a month of apparent summer calm that, beneath the surface, saw crucial geopolitical decisions taking shape and supply chain resilience put to the test. The resolution of the Red Sea crisis brought tangible relief, but new controls at Gibraltar and the persistent situation in Melilla serve as reminders of the volatility of our environment. At Logistics Express, we have been monitoring every development to transform complexity into a competitive advantage for our clients.
“In logistics, the end of one conflict is the start of a new challenge. Resilience is not the absence of problems, but the ability to anticipate them and overcome them with strategy.”
The Summer Pulse: Relative Calm and Recurring Challenges
The most anticipated news of the month was, without question, the resolution of the Red Sea crisis. The resumption of operations through the Suez Canal, after months of disruption, brings genuine relief in terms of transit times and freight rate pressure. However, we must not fall into complacency. Volatility in oil markets and persistent inflation in the Eurozone are constant reminders that operating costs remain under pressure, and that every euro saved through efficiency is a euro gained in competitiveness.
While global attention focused on these major dynamics, closer to home, Spain’s record tourist season highlighted both the robustness — and the stress points — of our national logistics network, particularly in supply chains for hospitality and retail. This success is a barometer of consumer demand, but also a stress test for our responsiveness.
The Logistics Compass: The Strait and Its New Customs Realities
It is in the Strait of Gibraltar and our autonomous cities where the most complex and strategic dynamics are taking shape:
- Gibraltar: The implementation of the first phases of the new treaty has brought new border controls. We have observed delays for certain categories of goods and a pressing need to adapt customs documentation. For our clients, this means proactive customs management is no longer just good practice — it is a critical necessity to avoid disruptions and additional costs. At Logistics Express, we are supporting our partners to ensure this adaptation is smooth and effective, minimising any friction.
- Melilla: The situation at Melilla’s commercial customs remains unchanged, with Morocco reiterating its decision not to reopen it for “atypical trade.” This position consolidates the need for companies to redirect their logistics strategies towards more formal and structured channels — often through mainland Morocco and the port of Tánger Med, whose continued expansion is cementing its position as an unavoidable hub for Euro-African trade. This scenario underlines the importance of having a logistics partner with a presence and experience on both sides of the Strait.
- Tánger Med: Investment in a new phase of Port of Tánger Med expansion is no coincidence. It consolidates its position as a nerve centre for trade with Africa, and requires all of us to reassess routes and strategies in southern Spain. Competition in the Strait is intensifying, and only efficiency and adaptability will allow us to maintain our edge.
- Canary Islands: The tourism and trade boom has generated increased demand for inter-island transport, particularly in groupage and parcel services. The resilience of Canary Islands logistics — already operating in a complex environment — has been put to the test.
Anticipating Peak Season: From Seasonality to Permanent Strategy
August has reminded us that nearshoring — or the relocation of production — is an accelerating trend. More European companies are opting to move their suppliers to nearby countries, including the Maghreb and Eastern Europe. This strategy seeks not only to reduce dependence on Asia, but also to shorten supply chains and mitigate risks, especially given the critical staffing shortages already being felt at Spain’s major logistics hubs.
The imminent Black Friday and Christmas peak season will hold no surprises. E-commerce growth projections are ambitious, and the pressure on last-mile delivery, warehouse management and reverse logistics will be enormous. Urban logistics hubs are emerging as the key solution for fast and sustainable deliveries, and AI-driven route planning is proving its value in optimising resources and reducing fuel consumption.
The Immediate Horizon: Preparation is Key
Progress in fleet electrification and sustainable packaging materials are steps in the right direction, but we still face bottlenecks in charging infrastructure and process adaptation. Cybersecurity in the supply chain — as the increase in cyberattacks has reminded us — is no longer an optional extra but a backbone of trust and operations.
At Logistics Express, we invite our clients not to see August as a transitional month, but as the prelude to a period of intense activity and strategic change. Now is the time to review your operations, optimise your customs processes, consider nearshoring and prepare your supply chains for the demand peak with comprehensive and flexible logistics solutions. We are here to help you transform challenges into opportunities and ensure your goods reach their destination with efficiency and security.
Yours sincerely,
MJ Managing Director – Logistics Express
