The 2027 Third-Party Logistics Study
Discover the trends reshaping logistics in the 2027 Third-Party Logistics Study, developed by NTT DATA, Penske Logistics and the University of Tennessee’s Global Supply Chain Institute, with support from CSCMP.
Executive Summary
The 2027 Third-Party Logistics Study finds that shipper-3PL relationships remain strong as supply chains navigate growing complexity and disruption. AI is moving into operational use, resilience is becoming a shared strategic priority, and deeper collaboration is increasingly critical to managing risk and creating value. At the same time, freight fraud, cargo theft and geopolitical volatility are prompting organizations to rethink networks, strengthen visibility and build more adaptable supply chains.
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The study shows data quality and legacy integration remain the top barriers to scaling AI, and that should be a wake-up call. The technology is ready — what's lagging is the foundation underneath it,” said Jonathan Whitaker, Managing Director Supply Chain Consulting, NTT DATA, Inc. “Organizations that treat data and systems as strategic infrastructure, not an afterthought, will be the ones that turn AI from a pilot into a competitive advantage.
”Key takeaways from the report:
- Shipper-3PL partnerships are stronger and more strategic. Relationships are increasingly focused on service, innovation, agility and long-term value.
- AI is moving from experimentation to real-world impact. Adoption is growing, with transportation planning and routing delivering the strongest reported ROI.
- Resilience requires deeper collaboration. Shippers and 3PLs are strengthening networks, planning and shared approaches to managing disruption.
- Disruption is reshaping logistics strategies. Geopolitical volatility and freight fraud are driving greater collaboration, visibility and proactive risk management.