93% of shippers say AI capability matters when they choose or keep a logistics provider, according to the 2027 Third-Party Logistics Study published on 6 October by NTT DATA, Penske Logistics, the University of Tennessee and CSCMP.
Only 12% of providers described themselves as highly prepared, Distribution Strategy Group reported. 53% of providers said they use agent-based decision support, compared with 18% of shippers.
The biggest barriers named were data quality (61%), old systems that are hard to connect (54%) and budget (46%).
Why it matters: customers now expect AI from their logistics partners, and data, not the AI itself, is what holds providers back.
Source: NTT DATA. Also reported by Distribution Strategy Group.