Your 2025 guide to logistics outsourcing
Geopolitical unrests, economic shifts and supply chain delays can affect relationships between shippers and third-party logistics providers (3PLs), but our study reveals that almost 90% of shippers say 3PLs relationships are successful. And 94% of 3PLs agree.
Relationships are the mainstay of this industry – but challenges remain. These include rapid shifts in the industry, necessitating change management, the ubiquitous and constant pressure of AI adoption. 3PLs also face customer demands and pressures of near shoring.
We explore these issues and more in the comprehensive 2025 Third-Party Logistics Study and uncover trends, challenges and best practices in supply chain.
25% more shippers are outsourcing to 3PLs for greater business and technology value
Shippers see 3PLs as providing new and innovative ways to better manage the supply chain but want more focus on supply chain visibility and technology must-haves, like control tower visibility, transportation management planning and scheduling and advanced analytics and data mining tools.
61% of shippers believe change management is needed to improve supply chain visibility, technology and planning
Both shippers and 3PLs agree that customer demands, economic factors and technological advancements are the top drivers of change. Empowering and involving people and leadership alignment are critical for creating a climate for change.
74% of shippers would switch 3PL providers based on their AI capabilities
3PLs that offer AI solutions will gain a significant competitive advantage. But to succeed, 3PLs will need to overcome the challenges of system integration, lack of skilled personnel and making the right AI investments to meet shippers’ expectations.
Almost half of shippers report consumers expect <2 day delivery terms, as well as transparency and environmental commitments
To meet the exponential rise in consumer expectations, shippers and 3PLs are investing in automation and analytics capabilities and optimizing their distribution networks, as well as focusing on sustainability initiatives to reduce the environmental impact
More than 70% of shippers and 3PLs are moving from global to local
Similar to last year’s nearshoring trends, 76% of shippers and 71% of 3PLs are considering moving towards more regional or domestic production networks to respond faster to market demands and reduce the risk of delays.
Learn what’s driving the supply chain in 2025 and beyond
The 2025 29th Annual Third-Party Logistics Study, powered by NTT DATA, Penske and Penn State University offers the latest perspectives on shipper and 3PL relationships, priorities for both groups, services and solutions that are in demand and what makes relationships successful. You’ll learn:
- Shippers’ IT expectations and 3PL IT capabilities
- What strategies, approaches, frameworks shippers and 3PLs use in change management
- Practical applications of AI, investment trends in AI, and barriers to AI adoption
- D2C trends, and the value of data and analytics in customer experience
- A deep dive on contemporary issues:
- Near-shoring trends and factors
- Trends in real estate and labor