BGL Managing Director Craig Decker: “2027 may be less about a traditional cyclical rebound and more about the beginning of a structurally tighter, infrastructure-led growth environment, which is creating opportunities for well-capitalized TSPs to benefit from improving rates, pursue strategic M&A, and position themselves for the next leg of industry expansion.”

BGL Director Enrico J. Certo: “The distinction [between previous recoveries] is important because it may mean this new growth cycle will prove more durable than previous cycles. Rather than relying on accelerating freight demand, T&L markets are benefiting from a materially smaller capacity base. As shipment growth gradually returns through manufacturing, reshoring, and infrastructure investment, carriers will benefit from both volume growth and a structurally tighter capacity environment.”

In the report, BGL examines the emerging opportunities for private equity and infrastructure investors in the maritime defense sector and the recent deal activity that illustrates a range of capital strategies.

Key transportation industry trends in the report include:

• Data center construction and nearshoring are creating new freight flows and reshaping transportation corridors.
• A shift in PE attention towards HALO logistics and Amazon entry into the LTL market, likely impacting technology investment and strategic M&A activity.
• The regulatory shifts impacting capacity, raising compliance costs and creating an advantage for well-capitalized carriers with strong safety records.
• Why specialized equipment, terminal networks, and technology-enabled services are becoming increasingly valuable in a changing competitive landscape.

About BGL’s Transportation & Logistics Infrastructure Team

BGL’s Transportation & Logistics Services and Infrastructure investment bankers have executed numerous transactions in maritime and offshore, trucking and logistics, transportation infrastructure, supply chain, and passenger transport. Our team specializes in advising on mergers and acquisitions in the logistics and transportation industry, balance sheet management and restructuring, management advice, board advisory, and private debt and capital raises.