In May's edition of the Transport Newsletter, we explore major shifts in global transport and infrastructure. We examine how disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz threaten supply chains, energy costs and food security worldwide. In Europe, ambitious plans to expand high‑speed rail aim to boost connectivity, remove barriers and modernise the network. We also outline the impact of new carbon border taxes (CBAM) on transport projects and highlight rising cybersecurity obligations under evolving EU and UK regulations, helping businesses understand emerging risks, compliance requirements and strategic opportunities.
Transport Newsletter - May 2026
In this edition:
- Fraught times for freight transport
- EU Commission plans to accelerate high-speed rail
- Are you ready for CBAM?
- Cybersecurity regulations: Raising the stakes for transport
Fraught times for freight transport
The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has sharply raised fuel and energy costs and threatens broader global supply chains, as the waterway is vital for transporting key commodities beyond oil and gas. Disruptions to helium and sulphur, essential for semiconductors, fibre optics, batteries, and fertilisers, will negatively affect multiple industries for months. Fertiliser components like urea and ammonia are also blocked, posing a severe risk to global food production, with wealthy nations facing higher prices and developing countries facing famine.
Explore the full impact on global supply chains
European high speed rail plan
Europe’s high‑speed rail plan outlines a continent‑wide push to cut travel times, improve cross‑border connectivity and remove regulatory and technical barriers that have slowed progress. The strategy focuses on harmonising infrastructure, creating a more competitive service framework, strengthening Europe’s rail industry and modernising governance to support faster deployment. With significant implications for operators, infrastructure managers, investors and regulators, the plan signals a shift toward a more integrated, efficient and future‑ready rail network across the European Union.
Find out more about the transformation
Are you ready for CBAM?
Both Europe and the UK are imposing a ‘carbon border adjustment mechanism’, or CBAM – effectively a carbon price on imported products that are manufactured in a carbon-intensive way outside of the EU/UK. This affects steel and cement: key raw materials in any transport infrastructure project. Read our Insight for the key actions you need to take.
Read our insight for the key actions you need to take
Cybersecurity regulations: Raising the stakes for transport
The EU Network and Information Systems Directive 2 (Directive (EU) 2022/2025), known as NIS2, is currently being implemented across the EU, with recent implementations in Poland and Germany. The transport sector was already in scope of the previous EU cyber framework, however NIS2 expands coverage to include more businesses such as those in air, rail and water transport, port and vessel traffic management, and road and intelligent transport system companies. Whilst NIS2 is not being implemented in the UK, there are parallel provisions which remain in force and are currently being amended by new UK legislation. We have developed a simple self-assessment tool so you can find out if your business is in scope and what you need to do next.
Next steps
If you'd like to discuss any topics raised in this newsletter, please contact our Transport team.
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