Record spike in the number of transport & storage companies concerned about international conflict

April 14, 2026 - PRLog -- The latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) Business Insights survey reveals a huge surge in concern about the impact of global conflict among transport & storage sector businesses. The international delivery expert Parcelhero says the Iran war has created a record spike in the number of businesses reporting concerns.

Parcelhero's Head of Consumer Research, David Jinks M.I.L.T., says: 'The latest Business Insights survey, held between 16-29 March, found that a hefty 29.4% of transport & storage sector businesses (the category which includes logistics, parcels, haulage and warehousing employers) are concerned about the impact of international conflict on their supply chains over the next 12 months. A significant 15.2% are similarly concerned about the impact of shipping disruption.

'These results follow the USA and Israel's surprise attack on Iran at the end of February and the resulting conflict across the Middle East. The repercussions included the effective closure of the Straits of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane.

'This represents a huge escalation in the number of businesses expressing worry over these issues. In December 2025, only 6.5% of transport & storage companies expressed anxiety about the impact of international conflict on their business and a tiny 5.4% about the resulting potential shipping disruption.

'That represents an unprecedented jump of 22.9 percentage points in the number of transport & storage firms concerned about international conflict in just four months.

'However, although many transport & storage sector companies are undoubtedly worried, even more of their manufacturing and retail sector partners are concerned. A huge 42.3% of all manufacturers taking part in the survey are concerned about the impact of international conflict on their business and 28.7% about supply chain disruption.

'To put those responses into perspective, last December only 13.8% of manufacturers and 15.6% of retailers were concerned about international conflict. That whopping 28.5 percentage point increase in the number of manufacturers concerned about international conflict highlights how worried British businesses have suddenly become over increasing global uncertainty.

'Businesses and individuals can compare international services and costs for all the major carriers to over 220 countries and territories using Parcelhero. For real-time shipping information and prices, see https://www.parcelhero.com/en-gb/international-courier-services