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France Supply Chain by Aslog X Chair in Supply Chain Management & Logistics Services: Geopolitics Redefines Supply Chains Geopolitics
In a global context marked by a polycrisis, resulting from the overlapping and interaction of geopolitical, climatic, economic, and technological crises, supply chains are subject to unprecedented and lasting tensions. In response to this systemic instability, France Supply Chain by Aslog organized an evening discussion on January 19, 2026, entitled "Geopolitics and the reconfiguration of supply chains: perspectives from researchers and practitioners," in partnership with the Supply Chain Management & Logistics Services Chair.
The supply chain, a key strategic asset
This event brought together researchers and professionals in an open and cross-disciplinary approach, with the aim of fueling strategic thinking about the transformations underway. The focus was less on producing immediate operational responses and more on gaining a better understanding of systemic dynamics by identifying weak signals, emerging disruptions, and major trends, including those beyond the strict scope of the supply chain and the company.
These exchanges provided an opportunity to explore the growing interactions between state and corporate strategies, particularly in the areas of logistics and supply chains. The increasing instrumentalization of companies by states as part of their geopolitical strategies was a key topic of discussion.
Desilotage, data, and new performance indicators
There was strong consensus on the need to break down barriers between organizations. Customs and tax compliance is now a major data issue, requiring close cooperation between supply chain, finance, and legal functions. Local decisions can no longer be made in isolation: they must be evaluated in terms ofthe overall performance of the ecosystem, and no longer solely by activity, channel, or geographic area.
These meetings thus mobilized a multidisciplinary approach, bringing together expertise in:
- Customs law,
- Geopolitics applied to supply chain management,
- Corporate strategy,
- Purchasing and sourcing,
Geography of flows, maritime transport, and port management
Towards a profound reconfiguration of models
The discussions highlighted several structural developments, including:
- Restructuring of global trade routes: supply chains are facing increased costs and greater uncertainty, forcing companies to reconsider their trade-offs.
- Ports and logistics corridors: these infrastructures are now recognized as major strategic assets, determining both the sovereignty and resilience of economies. In Europe, this awareness is reflected in various initiatives, such as the Rhône-Saône river corridor in France, which aims to increase transport volumes by 30% by 2030, and the Seine-Nord canal. These examples illustrate the desire to promote the movement of goods using more environmentally friendly modes of transport.
Vertical reintegration and balance sheet management: faced with risks, companies are considering reintegrating activities that were previously outsourced. This may even apply to maritime transport in order to counter the dominance of large companies.
A format that is here to stay
This event marks the launch of a new format for exchanges that France Supply Chain by Aslog plans to roll out two to three times a year, in partnership with several leading academic institutions, notably the CRET-LOG Chair in Supply Chain Management & Logistics Services (Aix-Marseille University Foundation) and its partners at CNAM and Paris Dauphine PSL.
The ambition is clear: to create lasting links between research and the business world, to bring together different perspectives in order to offer a comprehensive and cross-disciplinary understanding of the contemporary issues affecting supply chains.
Source: https://www.truckeditions.com/transport-logistique-europe-2025-enjeux-2026/
About France Supply Chain by Aslog
For more than 50 years, the France Supply Chain association has been pursuing its mission of bringing together companies, business schools and research organizations to innovate, share best practices and provide concrete solutions to the challenges of today and tomorrow.
Think and Do Tank, with over 450 member companies and schools, 800 active members involved in our projects, and an audience of 7,000 players, we promote exchange and collective action for a more robust and responsible Supply Chain. As of January 2025, the association' s public-interest activities will be carried out by the SUPPLY CHAIN 4 GOOD endowment fund, starting with projects to decarbonize and sustain our Supply Chains.
Press contact: Marie-Laure Laville - MLD Consulting - Tel: +33 (0)6 18 14 85 36 - mllaville@mldconsulting.fr
