Key points:
- 52 UK transport and logistics companies entered administration between January and the end of October 2026.
- June was the worst month with nine administrations, followed by May and July with seven each.
- The list includes hauliers, logistics and fulfilment firms, freight forwarders and car park operators.
- FRP Advisory was appointed most often, in eight cases.
- Overall, company insolvencies in England and Wales were 5% lower in September than a year earlier.
Month by month
According to the database, last updated on 3 November, the number of administrations in the sector was:
- January: 6,
- February: 3,
- March: 6,
- April: 5,
- May: 7,
- June: 9,
- July: 7,
- August, September and October: 3 each.
Almost two-thirds of the cases, 33 out of 52, happened in the first half of the year. Since August, the pace has slowed to three administrations a month.
Who went under
The list includes many road haulage companies, such as MT Transport (UK), Booth Transport, Stones Distribution, C&L Transport Services, Grays Transport (Derbyshire), Martyn Barratt Transport, MJ Haulage, Sunhill Transport, J T Leyland and Chambers and Cook (Eastern). The most recent cases include Telford Transport Solutions and Smart Freight Solutions, both of which entered administration on 2 October.
Logistics and fulfilment firms are also on the list, including Suma Logistics, Drac Logistics, BMB Logistics, Pegasus Warehousing & Fulfilment and We ARE Fulfilment. Air Sea Logistics, European Cargo and Hamburg and London Maritime Services represent freight forwarding and shipping.
The biggest name is National Car Parks, which entered administration in March with PwC as administrator, followed by NCP Commercial Services in September. The database also counts businesses such as chauffeur services, skip hire, ambulance services and self-storage as part of the wider transport sector.
Who handles the cases
FRP Advisory was appointed administrator most often, in eight cases. Other firms that appear several times include Exigen Group, Leonard Curtis, Begbies Traynor, Forvis Mazars and CBA Business Solutions. In 13 cases, the database does not list an administrator.
Administration is a rescue procedure. An administrator takes control of the company and tries to save it, sell the business or its assets, or get a better result for creditors than in a liquidation. Not every administration means the end of the brand, as parts of the business are often sold on.
Fewer insolvencies overall
The figures for transport come at a time when insolvencies across the wider economy are falling. According to the Insolvency Service, 1,882 companies became insolvent in England and Wales in September 2026, 5% fewer than a year earlier. The number of administrations fell by 20% to 102.
For hauliers, however, the pressure has not eased. Diesel rose above £2 per litre in October, and the Budget did not include the fuel rebate the industry had asked for. Earlier this year, a 25-truck haulier collapsed after its cash fell to just £1,300.
What it means for the industry
For operators working with subcontractors, the list is a reminder to check the financial health of partners regularly. An administration can leave customers with unpaid invoices, stranded loads or unfinished contracts.
For drivers and staff, administration often means uncertainty about jobs, although buyers may take over parts of the business. Across Europe, business bankruptcies have reached a 13-year high, with transport among the hardest-hit sectors.
