As the transportation and logistics industry gears up for the third quarter of 2025, carriers, shippers, and 3PLs face an evolving market. Between economic fluctuations, rising fuel costs, technological advancements, and regulatory changes, the supply chain grows more complex from year to year.
Industry stakeholders find themselves navigating these challenges while continually striving for more efficient workflows. Businesses that adapt with better processes and well-implemented technology can thrive, enabling greater preparedness to handle the changes of an evolving market.
FreightWaves partnered with Echo Global Logistics to collect and analyze key projections for anticipated pricing trends, volume expectations, major challenges, and shifting demand patterns for 2025 based on comprehensive survey data from carriers and shippers.
Below are some highlights of this survey:
Market Expectations
The survey indicates a mixed sentiment regarding pricing for 2025. Rising transportation expenses, supply chain bottlenecks, and economic uncertainty are among key challenges for shippers.
Carriers are generally optimistic about load volume, but access to well-paying freight and increased operational costs remain at the forefront of their concerns. Likewise, supply chain disruptions, DOT regulations, and driver shortages are ever-present issues. Despite challenges, the industry appears poised for growth, with most carriers expecting to add drivers in 2025.
Digital Transformation
The logistics industry continues to embrace emerging technology. Visibility solutions, digital freight marketplaces, and real-time tracking are among the most sought-after innovations, while many businesses remain cautious of AI-driven automation.
Most shippers are now very likely to use online shipping platforms to manage their freight. However, preferences for specific tasks vary. While most shippers prefer email for quoting, booking, and escalation management, they favor online platforms for tracking, document retrieval, and invoice payments.
Interestingly, carriers are more invested in adopting digital tools than shippers.
Strategic Priorities
The survey results also highlight emerging priorities for transportation businesses. More organizations are adopting carbon reduction initiatives for 2025 due to growing environmental concerns in the industry and among the public. Additionally, a growing number of shippers plan to grow their business with Mexico in 2025, indicating potential shifts in trade patterns.
As for 3PLs and asset-based transportation providers, their roles have become more defined and more competitive than ever. When selecting a 3PL or broker, shippers prioritize cost above all else, with more than 35 percent of respondents ranking price as the most important factor in choosing a partner.
On-time delivery and pickup, responsiveness of representatives, positive relationships, and proactive communication all remain highly ranked attributes. Ease of placing an order and user-friendly online tools are also important factors for some shippers.
For 91 percent of carrier respondents, responsiveness of representatives is a primary factor in choosing a 3PL or broker. While attributes such as online load boards, competitive pricing, and fast payments are vital, fewer carriers placed these factors in their top two priorities.
To stand out in a difficult market, 3PLs have to not only offer the most competitive pricing possible, but also adopt streamlined processes and work to provide the best customer experience.
This survey provides valuable insights into the complex landscape of the transportation and logistics industry for 2025. While challenges persist, particularly in terms of costs and potential disruptions, many businesses also maintain a general sense of optimism regarding volume growth and technological advancement. Adaptability and strong partnerships will likely be key to success in the coming year as the industry continues to evolve.
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