Logistics Mission to the United States 2026

Kick-off in Las Vegas: Manifest – The future of supply chain & logistics innovation

The mission started in Las Vegas, where the group opened the week with a roundtable and networking session with U.S. exporters and service providers, organised by the local office of the U.S. Commercial Service. Through a presentation and in-depth Q&A, the Dutch delegation shared insights into the Netherlands as a prime location for high-quality logistics activities for the European market, as well as the strengths and services of the Dutch logistics sector. In the afternoon, the delegation attended the official opening of Manifest at The Venetian.

Over the three days at the exhibition, artificial intelligence (AI) clearly emerged as the central theme. AI and automation are now firmly at the top of the supply chain agenda. Companies showcased applications ranging from AI-driven forecasting and predictive analytics to autonomous decision-making systems and digital assistants supporting operational processes. For many organisations, AI is no longer experimental: implementation is well underway, with further applications actively being explored.

The sheer level of innovation on the exhibition floor also stood out. Demonstrations of robotics, autonomous systems, advanced cold chain solutions and logistics orchestration platforms illustrated the breadth of technological development. Not only software solutions, but also physical automation are playing an increasingly important role in warehouses, distribution centres and transport networks.

A third key theme was real-time visibility and connectivity. Many solutions focused on integrating existing systems – such as ERP, WMS and OMS platforms – to create a single, integrated data landscape. The emphasis is clearly on end-to-end visibility, real-time data and better-informed decision-making. With 7,500 visitors from more than 60 countries, the scale and international character of the event once again underlined the leading role of the United States in global supply chain innovation.

The joint Dutch pavilion, featuring the recognisable orange Holland branding, provided strong visibility for the delegation and served as a central meeting point for appointments with both new and existing contacts at the fair.

San Bernardino: Rapid growth as a cargo airport

On Thursday, the delegation travelled to San Bernardino for a visit to the airport. The development of San Bernardino International Airport made a strong impression. What only a few years ago was a relatively modest airport has now grown rapidly into an important cargo hub.

The airport has quickly positioned itself as a key logistics gateway for e-commerce and distribution. Major players such as Amazon, UPS and FedEx are already using the airport as a logistics hub. The combination of available space, a strategic location and targeted investments in infrastructure has resulted in impressive growth in cargo volumes.

During a seminar and networking session with regional exporters and service providers, the delegation shared insights into logistics developments in the Netherlands and gained valuable perspectives on regional supply chain dynamics in Southern California.

Port of Los Angeles: A vital link in global trade

The mission concluded in Los Angeles with a roundtable and networking session with the local office of the U.S. Commercial Service, followed by an impressive boat tour through the Port of Los Angeles. This provided first-hand insight into the scale and complexity of one of the world’s largest container ports.

One striking takeaway was that the sea route between Shanghai and Los Angeles is among the busiest container trade lanes in the world. This trade flow highlights the critical importance of efficient port operations, digitalisation and international cooperation. The sheer size of the terminals, the level of automation and the continuous flow of goods demonstrated how vital this corridor is to global trade – and, indirectly, to the Netherlands as a logistics gateway to Europe.

Conclusion: Innovation and scale as a source of inspiration

The Logistics Mission USA 2026 once again confirmed why the United States is such a key trading partner and source of inspiration for the Dutch logistics sector. Despite geopolitical and trade-related uncertainties, the U.S. continues to lead in terms of scale, investment climate and technological innovation.

AI-driven supply chains, rapidly growing cargo hubs and mega ports facilitating global trade flows: the combination of digital transformation and physical infrastructure development was a recurring theme throughout the mission. In addition to the valuable insights gained, the mission provided an excellent platform to position the Netherlands as the logistics hub for Europe and as an attractive location for high-quality logistics activities.

The mission also proved highly valuable in terms of building international connections and strengthening relationships within the Dutch delegation itself.

We look back on an inspiring and rewarding week – filled with new ideas, new contacts and a fresh perspective on the logistics of tomorrow.