2025年航运业状况报告：十二大趋势 THE 2025 STATE OF THE SHIPPING INDUSTRY REPORT 12 Shipping Trends To Watch in 2025

WORLDWIDEEXPRESSGLOBALTRANZUNISHIPPERS

WM气xaroup

THE2025STATEOFTHE

SHIPPINGINDUSTRYREPORT

12ShippingTrendsToWatchin2025

(PlusTipsToNavigateThem!)

AboutWWEXGroup

TheWWEXGroupfamilyofbrands,whichincludes

WorldwideExpress

,

GlobalTranz

and

Unishippers

,ofersfull-servicelogisticsexpertisetomorethan108,000customersacrossthecountry.Withaccesstoindustry- leadingsmallpackage,truckload,less-than-truckloadandmanagedtransportationsolutions,customers beneitfromenhancedvisibilityandvaluefortheirsupplychains.Thecompanyisthesecondlargest privatelyheldfreightbrokerageandlargestnon-retailUPSAuthorizedReseller®intheU.S.,withanannualsystemwiderevenueof$4.3billion.TolearnmoreaboutWWEXGroup,visit

.

In2025,theshippingindustryfacesashake-up,withopportunitiesandchallenges—bothfamiliarandnew—posedtoreshapefreightandparcellogistics.Risingcosts,therecentfreightrecessionandworkforceshortagesareafewofthetopobstacles,whileparcelratehikesandshifting

marketdynamicsputpressureonshipperstostayproitable.Inpoliticalnews,anewpresidentialadministrationalsobringspotentialregulatoryadjustments,requiringbusinessestostayinformedandagile.

Buttherearemanyexcitingandinnovativeadvancementstohighlightaswell.Theintroductionofanewfreight-classsystemmeansmoreaccuratepricing—savingfreightshipperstimeandmoney.Plus,theshippingindustrygetsseriousaboutinal-miledelivery,bringingcutting-edgesolutionstoadifficultlegoftheshippingjourney.

Lookingahead,WWEXGroup—theparentcompanyofWorldwideExpress,GlobalTranzand

Unishippers—breaksdownthe12keytrendsshippersshouldwatchin2025andofersactionableinsightstohelpbusinessesofallsizesstayproitableintheyearahead!

Trend#1

Isfreightoutoftherecessionwoods?

TheGreatFreightRecessionisofficiallyover!Orisit?Itreallydependsonwhoyouask,buteconomicindicatorsandindustrythoughtleadersdosuggestthatthefreightindustryisnowmovinginapositivedirection,and2025iswidelyseenastheyeartheindustrywillrightitself.Thatdoesn’tmeantherewon’tbechallengesalongtheway.Shippers

needtoadjusttheirlogisticsstrategymovingforwardtonavigateanychanges,andthird-partylogistics(3PL)

providersareuniquelyequippedtohelp.

TheBackStory

Thedownturn,whichbeganinlate2022andearly2023,reareditsuglyheadlargelyduetoCOVID.Stimulus-fueledconsumerswerestuckathomeduringthepandemicandspentlavishlyonhomegoods,officeequipment,exerciseaccessoriesandotherproducts—allwhichneededtobestoredandshipped.Butwhenpost-pandemicspendingreturnedtonormal,businessesfacedexcessinventory,reducingtheneedforfreightservicesandnegatively

impactingcarriers.

2025

STATE

OFTHESHIPPINGINDUSTRYREPORT

2

3

2025

STATE

OFTHESHIPPINGINDUSTRYREPORT

FastForwardInto2025

Manyintheindustryoutrightclaimthefreightrecessionisover.ThatincludesFreightWaves,aleadingnewssourcethat

coverstheshippingandlogisticsindustry.

CraigFuller,its

CEO,recentlyannounced

“I’vebeencloselyfollowingthe

freightmarket,andit’sclearthattheGreatFreightRecessionhasended.Afterthemostprolongedfreightrecessionin

history,themarkethasbeenshowingsignsofrecoveryoverthepastfewmonths.”Accordingtothearticle,herearea

coupleofreasonswhyFullerseesaturnaround:

Afterthemostprolongedfreight

recessioninhistory,themarkethas

beenshowingsignsofrecoveryoverthepastfewmonths.

–CraigFuller,CEO,FreightWaves

Carrierretaliation

possiblein2025

“Carrierrevenge”referstocarriersusingtheir

improvedpositionto

negotiatehigherratesormoreselectively

rejecttendersafter

enduringlowratesandhighcompetition.Thiscouldimpactshippers’budgets.

Source:November2024FreightWavesarticle

Decreasingcapacity

TheFederalMotor

CarrierSafety

Administration’s(FMCSA)DrugandAlcohol

Clearinghouse(DACH)

wasexpectedtoleadupto177,000truckdriverslosingtheircommercialdriverlicenses(CDLs),

tighteningcapacity.

Risingtenderrejections

Tenderrejectionshave

increasedtoover6%,

signalingatightening

market.Thisshiftfrom

3.4%post-LaborDay

in2023showscarriers

gainingmorecontrolandleverageovertheirloadacceptance.

Spotratesrising

Spotratesarenowhigherthan2022

and2023,indicatingapotentialsurgein

demandorreducedcapacity—orboth.

Truckloadrateshave

risento$1.78from$1.54in2023.

WWEXGROUPPROTIP

Despitethepositivenews,someindustryinsidersdon’tpaintsucharosypicture,

withonesayingjustafewmonthsago

theyprojectedonly“slightimprovementsforthetruckingindustryoverthenexttwoyears.”Additionally,increasedfreightratesand“carrierrevenge”aren’tnecessarilyacheckinthewincolumnforshippers.

So,regardlessofwhenacompleteturnaroundhappens—andwhatthatactuallylookslike—it’svitalforshippersto

remainvigilantin2025astheindustryrightsizesitselfandreactstochangeslikethosementionedbyFreightWaves.Asinanyperiod,goodorbad,a3PLcanhelpyouinthefollowingareasofyourlogisticsstrategy:

•Capacitymanagement:Asthefreightmarketrecovers,capacitymaybecometightonceagain.A3PLcanpartnerwithitsextensivecarriernetworktosecurereliablefreightoptionsforshippers,ensuringaccesstoavailabletrucksduringhigh-demandperiods.Theycanalsooptimizeroutestominimizedelaysandensuretimelydeliveries,easingthechallengesposedbyfluctuatingcapacity.

•Ratenegotiation:Withspotratesrising,a3PLcanuseitsmarketexpertiseandvolumeleveragetonegotiate

competitiverateswithcarriers.Byconsolidatingshipmentsorlockinginlonger-termcontracts,a3PLcanhelp

shippersmanagecostvolatilityandsecurebetterpricing,evenastherecessioneasesandfreightratesincrease.

4

2025

STATE

OFTHESHIPPINGINDUSTRYREPORT

•Supplychainoptimization:A3PLcanimprovesupplychainefficiencybyutilizingadvanceddataanalyticsand

technologytooptimizeroutes,reduceemptymilesandenhanceoveralltransportationmanagement.Thiscanhelpshipperssaveoncosts,improvedeliverytimesandadapttochangesinthemarketasdemandrisesandcapacity

constraintsincrease.

•Technologyintegration:A3PLcanprovideshipperswithanadvancedtransportationmanagementsystem(TMS),

real-timetrackinganddataanalyticstools.Thesetechnologiesoferimprovedvisibility,proactiveissueresolutionandinsightsthathelpoptimizeoperations—enablingshipperstobettermanagerecoveryandfuturefluctuations.

•Scalabilityandflexibility:Asdemandfluctuatesduringthisrecoveryperiod,shipperswillrequireflexibility.A3PLcanoferscalablesolutionsthatallowbusinessestoquicklyadjusttheirshippingvolumesbasedonmarketconditions.

Thisincludesprovidingaccesstobothshort-termandlong-termlogisticssolutions,helpingshippersstayagileinanevolvingfreightlandscape.

Trend#2

WorkerBeesHaveFlowntheHive

Nobodywantstoworkanymore.Notevenyourboss.

That,sthesentimentfromaSarticle

onthecurrent

workforceshortageandhowthe“burnoutepidemicragingthroughcorporateAmericahasmadeitallthewaytothetop.”

Surprising?No.Alittleoverthetop?Maybe.However,datadoesnotlie,andrecentlaborstatisticsshowjusthowmuch

thoseintheshippingindustryarestrugglingtoindworkers.AsreportedbyGlobalTradeDaily,a

Descartesstudyonthe

supplychainandlogisticsworkforce

found:

mostimpactedintheshippingandlogisticsindustrywere:

•Transportationoperations(67%)

•Warehouseoperations(56%)

•Transportationplanning(51%)

•Inventoryanddistributionplanning(51%)

•Customerservice(42%)

•Demandplanning(37%)

Accordingtothestudy,theareas

37%

61%

58%

Oforganizationsareexperiencinghighlaborshortages.

Havetransportationdisruptionsfromunderstaffing.

Saidthatshortagesimpactedcustomerservice.

5

2025

STATE

OFTHESHIPPINGINDUSTRYREPORT

ItalsoshouldbenotedthattheTrumpadministrationhaspubliclyannounceditwillpursuemassdeportations.Onaveryhyperlevel,thiswouldhaveahugeimpactonthetruckingindustry.

AsreportedbyFreightWaves,

theBureauofLabor

andStatisticssays“20%oftruckdriveremployeesareimmigrants.WhilemanyofthesearelegalimmigrantsintotheU.S.,therearenumerousreportsofdriversusinginternationaldriver’slicensesandfakedocumentstodriveintheU.S.”

Comingofthetailendofarecessionalongwithmajorpolicyshiftsonthehorizon,workforceshortagecreatesacomplexmazeofchallengesforshippersastheymoveinto2025.Afterall,ifthereisnoonetomakeit,storeitorshipit,howdoes

onesellit?

WWEXGROUPPROTIP

A3PLisashipper’sbestfriendintimesofworkforceshortage.Thegoodonesaremulti-functionalorganizationsthatcantakeonmanyofthetasksthatcompaniesareindinghardtoaccomplishinthefaceofworkforce

shortage.Infact,a3PLcanofer:

Logisticsmanagement:Actasan

extensionofyourteam,handlinglogisticssoyoucanfocusoncorebusinessgrowth.

Routeplanning:Optimizedelivery

routestocutdelays,savefuelandboostefficiency,helpingyoutackleworkforceshortages.

Expertiseandsupport:Provideindustryinsightsandproactivesolutionsto

navigatelaborshortages,ensuringyourlogisticsstayontrack.

Carriernetwork:Leveragetheirvetted

networkoffreightcarriers,savingyoutimeonsecuringspaceontrucks.

Warehousingsupport:Oferflexible

storagesolutions,ensuringinventoryismanagedandordersfulilledsmoothly.

Inventorymanagement:Keepstock

levelsbalancedwithreal-timetracking

andforecasting,preventingshortagesoroverstockingamidstlaborconstraints.

Trend#3

TrumpTakesOffice

Despitewhereyoulandonthepoliticalspectrum,theTrumpadministrationhaspubliclyannounceditwillpursue

aggressivetarifsand“AmericaFirst”policiesin2025—impactingglobaltradeandsupplychains.Alreadychallenged

bylaborshortagesandinflation,businessesmusthustletocreatelogisticsstrategiestoightrisingcostsandregulatoryshiftsinanentangledlogisticslandscape.

WhatWeKnowAbouttheTarifs

AccordingtoSupplyChainBrain

,Trump’starifplanscouldtaxChineseimportswithratesbetween60-100%—along

with10-20%onallotherimportsworldwide.ThiscouldsigniicantlyraisecostsforU.S.retailersandconsumers,pushingcompaniesandshipperstoabsorbthepricehikes,faceshrinkingmarginsoreventuallypassingoftheincreasedcosttocustomers.WhilesomemightshiftproductiontocountrieslikeVietnam,it’sanunlikelymove,considering“Vietnam’smanufacturingisjust10%ofChina’scapacity,soevenasmallshiftwouldoverwhelmthem.”

Thoseinthelogisticsindustrywouldalsofeeltheimpactoftarif-

TrumpProposedTarifIncreases

10-20%

60-100%

drivenslowdownsintheformofreducedfreightvolumes,withshipperstakingthebruntofratespikes.Evene-commercecompaniescouldbeimpacted,withpopularplatformslikeTemu—anonlinemarketplace

operatedoutofChinathatutilizesstatesidewarehousesandsellers—facingaU.S.exitduetoenforcedtarifs.

Intheend,asSupplyChainBrainpointsout,retailersmayrushto

stockupbeforeTrumpimplementstarifs,drivingupdemandinthe

China

Allothermarkets

short-term.However,WWEXGrouppointsoutthatbusinessesmaybereluctanttodoso,sinceexcessinventorywasacatalystofthemost

recentfreightrecession.

6

2025

STATE

OFTHESHIPPINGINDUSTRYREPORT

7

2025

STATE

OFTHESHIPPINGINDUSTRYREPORT

InfrastructureBill

Withanewpresidency,hot-buttonissuesliketarifsandimmigrationgrabattention.But,

astheBrookingsInstitution

pointsout

,thebipartisanInfrastructureInvestmentandJobsAct(IIJA)demandsTrump’sfocus.WhileBidenchampioned

WWEXGROUPPROTIP

Totackletarifshiftsandyet-unknown

infrastructurespending,a3PLdeliv-

ersexpertguidance,ensurescustoms

compliance,managescostswithglob-

alnetworks,andusescutting-edge

technologyandfreightcarriernetworkstooptimizesupplychains—keeping

shipperscompetitive,agileandreadyforwhatevercomesnext.

an“infrastructuredecade,”it’snowTrump’sturntoimplementthelaw’sprograms.

ThatmeanstheTrumpadministrationcouldinfluencetheact’sfundingpriorities,investigatespendingandchallengeclimateinitiatives—

potentiallyreshapinghowinfrastructureprojectsunfoldinthecomingyears.

ToputIIJAinperspective,theactpromisestoupgradevitaltransportationnetworks—boostingshipping,logisticsandmanufacturingbyimprovingports,roadsandrails(nottomentionthebusinessesandshippersthat

wouldsupporttheconstructionanddevelopmentofsaidprojects).ButitssuccesshingesonTrump’sdecisions—astheBrookingsInstitutionpointsout—particularlyintheareasoffundingandpriorities.

Trend#4

Bigchangestofreightclasswillafecthowgoodsarecategorizedand

pricedforshipping.Theseupdatesaredesignedtosimplifytheclassiicationprocess,improvepricingaccuracyandboostefficiency.Thechanges

willhelpthesystemkeepupwithevolvingindustrystandardsandmake

shippingmoretransparentandcost-efective.Shippersshouldgetreadyfortheseupdates,asthey’llnodoubtimpactyourtransportationcostsandlogisticsstrategies.Herearesomehelpfultipsandalookatthechanges!

FreightClass,NMFCandNMFTADeined

Freightclassdeinesless-than-truckload(LTL)shipping

categoriesbasedondensity,stowability,handlingandliability—allwhichimpactprice.

NationalMotorFreightClassiication(NMFC)codesare

numericalidentiiersassignedtodiferenttypesoffreight,standardizingtheirclassiicationforaccurateshipping

andpricing.

NationalMotorFreightTrafficAssociation(NMFTA)isthe

organizationthatmaintainsfreightclassandcodes,helpingstandardizefreightclassiicationstoimproveshipping

efficiencyandcost.

FreightClassGetsaFacelift

ChangesAtaGlance

AccordingtotheNMFTAwebsite,

themajorchangestofreightclasscanbesummarizedas:

•StandardizeddensityscaleforLTLfreightwithnohandling,

stowabilityandliabilityissues.

•Uniqueidentiiersforfreightwithspecialhandling,

stowabilityorliabilityneeds.

•Condensedandmodernizedcommoditylistings.

•ImprovedusabilityoftheClassITtooltosimplify

classiicationandboost

accuracy.

Importantnote:Density(poundspercubicfoot)mattersmorethanever.Shippersshouldbelookingattheirpackaging,andthewayinwhichtheybuildpalletsoffreight,toensuretheyminimizethecubicsizeoftheirshipments.

ImpactAcrosstheShippingIndustry

•Carriers:Theclassiicationprocesswillbestreamlined,butcarrierswillneed

toidentifyfreightdensity.

•3PLs:PreparingLTLshipmentswill

undergochanges,requiringadditionalinformationforaccurateprocessing.

•Shippers:Identifyingfreightclass

willbecomesimpler,thoughshippersmayneedtosupplyhandlingunit

dimensionsandweight.

Source:NMFTA

KeyDates2025

JANUARY30

Chancetoreviewproposedchanges

MARCH4

Hearingtoreviewthechanges

JULY19

SupplementEfectiveDate

MisclassifyingFreight:TheHiddenPriceTag

Asthenewfreightclasschangesrollout,it’simperativeforshipperstounderstandthenewguidelinestomaintainproitabilityandefficiencyacrosstheirsupplychain.Herearethethreemainreasonswhy:

Incorrectfreightclasscanleadto

overpayment,asshippersmaybe

chargedhigherratesthannecessaryfortheirshipments.

Thewrongfreightclasscancausedelayssincecarriersmayneedtoreclassifyfreightuponinspection,disruptingdeliveryschedules.

Misclassifyingfreightmayresult

inadditionalfeesorpenalties,

complicatingbillingandafectingtheoverallcost-efficiencyofshipments.

8

2025

STATE

OFTHESHIPPINGINDUSTRYREPORT

WWEXGROUPPROTIP

Navigatingthe2025freightclasschangeswillprovetobecomplexformanyshippers,buta3PLcanprovidevaluableguidanceandtoolstostreamlinetheprocess,including::

•Industryexpertise:3PLshaveyearsofexperienceandin-depthknowledgeoffreightclass.Thiswillhelpensureaccurateclassiicationsandpreventcostlyshippingerrorsthatcouldarisefromthenew2025regulations.

•Technology:Withadvancedtransportationmanagementsystems(TMS)andfreightdensitycalculators,a3PLcansimplifythefreightclassiicationprocess.Thesetoolscanpreventhumanerror,improveefficiencyandoptimize

shippingdecisionsbasedonthelatestfreightclassguidelines.

•Ongoingsupport:A3PLoferscontinuoussupportbymonitoringupdates,resolvingclassiicationissuesandprovidingproactivesolutions.Withthehelpofa3PL,shipperswillstaycompliantwith2025changesandensureseamless

operationsasnewregulationsareimplementedthroughouttheyear.

Trend#5

LowdownOnParcelGeneralRateIncreases

Eachyear,parcelshippersbracefortheGeneralRateIncreases(GRIs)announcedbymajorcarriers.Theseadjustmentsafectshippingcostsandpricingstrategies,forcingbusinessestoplanlogisticsbudgetsandadaptoperationstostaycompetitive.For2025,

parcelcarriersmadenoradicalchanges

,andinsteadannouncedthefollowingincreases.

ParcelCarrierGRIsfor2025

Shippersexpecthikeseveryyear.However,theactual

increaseamountiswhatkeepsthemonpinsand

needles.Thatsaid,lookingbackoverthepastdecade,

GRIsremainedrelativelysteady—andpredictable.In

fact,between2014and2021,UPSandFedExannouncedannualincreasesof4.9%.

PARCELCARRIERGRIsFOR2025

5.9%

UPSFedExDHL

However,in2023,bothUPSandFedExsigniicantly

raisedtheirratesto6.9%,asharpincreasereflecting

risingoperationalcostsandinflation.Thenin2024,UPSandFedExadjustedtheirGRIto5.9%,signalingaslightdecreasefromthepreviousyear,butstillabovethe

historicalaverage.

9

2025

STATE

OFTHESHIPPINGINDUSTRYREPORT

10

2025

STATE

OFTHESHIPPINGINDUSTRYREPORT

RecentGRIs

2023

2024

2025

UPS—6.9%

UPS—5.9%

UPS—5.9%

FedEx—6.9%

FedEx—5.9%

FedEx—5.9%

DHL—7.9%

DHL—59%

DHL—5.9%

Why5.9%thisyear?

Parcelcarrierstypicallyprovidethereasoningforrateincreases—oftencitingstandardjustiicationslikeoperationalcosts,includinglabor,fuelandinfrastructureinvestments.Andthesevariablesarelegitimate.

However,intoday’sshippingworld,therearebroadervariableslikelyatplay,anditshouldbenotedthatparcelcarriersarefacinggrowingdemandforfaster,moreefficientdeliveryservices.Investmentsinautomation,technologyand

expandednetworksarevitaltoremaincompetitiveandmeetconsumerexpectations.

Thissimplymeanstheyrequirehigherratestomaintainproitabilityandensuresustainableservicelevelsina

fast-changinglogisticsenvironment.NottomentiongrowingcompetitionfromAmazon,Uberandalistoffringedeliveryservices.

WWEXGROUPPROTIP

Toreducetheimpactofrateincreases,shipperscan

incorporatethefollowingstrategiesintotheirlogisticsoperations:

•Leveragea3PLpartnership:Workwitha3PLthathasastrongrelationshipwithamajorsmall-packagecarriertosecurebetterratesandaccessvolumediscounts.

•Optimizepackaging:Streamlineyourpackagingtominimizeexcessspace,whichcanreducecostsassociatedwithweightandsize.

•Consolidateshipments:Combinesmallershipmentsintofewer,largershipmentstotakeadvantageofbulkdiscounts,reduceper-packagefeesandimprove

overallshippingefficiency.

•Reviewinvoicingregularly:Routinelyauditcarrier

invoicestoidentifydiscrepancies,suchasbillingerrorsorovercharges.

•Leverageshippingtechnology:ATMScanidentifythemostcost-efectiveoptionsbasedonsize,weightanddestination.

SORTINGOUTPOSTOFFICEINCREASES

USPSnumbersshouldbebrokenoutseparatelysinceithasnoannualGRIs.However,

USPShasannounced

increases

andparcelshippersshouldtakenoteofthe

3.2

3.2

3.9

9.2

followinghikes:PriorityMail

PriorityMailExpress

USPSGroundAdvantageParcelSelect

Source:USPS010

•Analyzeshippingdata:Regularlyanalyzeshipping

datatoidentifytrends,inefficienciesandopportunitiesforcostsavings.

•Ensureaccurateshippinginfo:Ensureallshippinginformationisaccuratetoavoidcostlyre-shippingfeesandreturncharges,whichcanaddsigniicantcosts.

•Reducedeliverytimes:Ifcustomersdon’trequire

immediatedelivery,useslower,lessexpensiveshippingmethodsinsteadofexpeditedorexpressoptions.

11

2025

STATE

OFTHESHIPPINGINDUSTRYREPORT

Trend#6

SupplyChainUnder

Siege–CargoTheftRises

Cargotheftisofficiallyagrowingproblemintheshippingindustry.Thievesaregettingsmarter,moredaringand

it,s

costingbusinessesmillionsuponmillionsofdollars

.Truckshijacked,containerslootedandgoodsvanishingwithoutatrace.Assupplychainsstretchandsecuritygapswiden,thestakeshaveneverbeenhigher.Ifyou’renotwatchingyourback,someoneelsesurelywillbe.It’stimetogetseriousaboutprotectionbeforeyourinventorydisappears.

CargoNetiskeepingacloseeyeonthecargotheftdata

,andit’sstaggering:

CargoTheftBytheNumbers

$331.9million

Estimatedcargotheftlosses

in2023.

14%

Q32024increaseincargo

theftwhencomparedtothe

thirdquarterof2023

33%

Q22024increaseincargo

theftwhencomparedtothe

secondquarterof2023.

WillCongresspumpthebrakesoncargotheft?

Theincreaseinthefthasbecomesodirethatthereisa

proposedbilltoightit.

TheSafeguardingOurSupply

ChainsAct(H.R.8834)

,introducedbyRep.DavidValadaoonJune25,2024,takesaimatorganizedcargotheft.With$100millionallocatedfrom2025-2029,thebillproposescoordinationbetweenfederalagencies,lawenforcementandtheprivatesector.

ItcreatesaSupplyChainCrimeCoordinationCenter

andanewTaskForcetotacklerisingcrimetargeting

vulnerablesupplychainsnationwide.Itstillhashurdles

tojumpin2025beforebecominglaw,butthelegislationispromisingforthoseinthesupplychainandfreight

industry—particularlyforshipperswholosevaluablepropertyandtakeahittotheirbottomline.

WWEXGROUPPROTIP

8WaysCargoKilljoysStealFreight

Thinkyou’reexempt?Thinkagain.Thieveshavebecomesophisticatedandaretargetingcargoupanddownthe

supplychain.Takealookatthesecrimetrendssoyoucanpreventcargotheftin2025andbeyond.Andremember,

a3PLcancertainlyhelp!

•Truckhijacking:Thievesstealentiretrucks,typicallyatreststopsorduringtransitstops.

•Cargodiversion:Fraudulentreroutingofshipmentstounauthorizedlocations,oftenusingfakeordersandshippinglabelsorspoofedcommunication.

•Cargotheftvia“drop&swap”:Thievesreplace

legitimatecargowithcounterfeitoremptygoodswhileunloadingorswitchingtrailers.

•Driverimpersonation:Criminalsposeaslegitimatedriversorusecounterfeitdocumentationtosteal

cargo.

•Portandterminaltheft:Goodsarestolenfrom

shippingcontainersatportsorrailterminals,oftenduringtransit.

•Warehousebreak-ins:Criminalsbreakinto

warehousestostealhigh-valuegoods,sometimeswithinthefacilityitself.

•Pilotcarandescorttheft:Thieveshijackescort

vehiclesusedforoversizedorhigh-valuecargotostealthegoods.

•Internaltheft:Employeesorinsidersstealcargoorassistinstealingfromwarehousesorvehicleswithinlogisticscompanies.

Trend#7

EndoftheLine–TheFinal-MileRevolution

Oh,thatlastlegoftheshipment’sjourney.Theonewherecarriersighttrafficcongestion,tightdeliverywindowsandunpredictablecustomeravailabilitywhileshippersnervouslyawaitupdatestoreal-timetrackingamidhighcosts.Youprobablyknowitasinal-miledelivery.Anditcanbeaseriouspainpointforeveryoneinvolvedintheshippingprocess.

Infact,

accordingtotheCapgeminiResearchInstitute

,“last-miledeliverycostsaccountfor41%oftotallogisticssupplychaincosts.”

Saywhat?

Breakdownofretailers’supplychaincosts.

13%

11%

16%

20%

41%

Parceling

Warehousing

Remainingsupplychaincost

Sorting

Last-miledelivery

Source:CapgeminiResearchInstitute

12

2025

STATE

OFTHESHIPPINGINDUSTRYREPORT

13

2025

STATE

OFTHESHIPPINGINDUSTRYREPORT

FinalMileIn2025.Alookatthefuture?

Althoughitmightbehardtoimagine,hereiswhatleadingnewssourcesandindustrythoughtleadersthinkwillrevolutionizeinal-miledelivery,makingitmoreefficientandcost-efectiveforallparties.

Dronesforsmallpackages

Deployedfordelivering

lightweightgoods,reducing

shippingdeliverytimes.

Autonomousdelivery

vans

AVswillhandlelongerroutes,

freeinguphumansformore

complextasks.

Dynamicrouting

AIwilladjustinal-mileroutes

basedontraffic,weatherand

customerpreferences.

Predictiveanalytics

Datawillbeusedtoanticipate

delaysandimprovedecision-

making.

Electricvehicles

EVswillreducecarbon

emissionsandpromote

environmentallyfriendlyinal-

milepractices.

Micro-warehouses

Brandswillbuildsmaller,

strategicallyplaced

warehousesinurbanareas.

Crowdsourceddelivery

networks

Gigworkerswillcontribute

tosame-dayservices,giving

companiesflexibility.

Greenpackaging

Companieswillminimize

excessive,inal-milewaste,

alignwitheco-conscious

consumers.

Deliverywindows

Flexibledeliverytimeswill

allowcustomerstochoose

convenientwindows.

Securelocations

Deliverylockerswill

increasinglyallowcustomers

topickuppackagesattheir

convenience.

Veriicationofgoods

Blockchaincanverifythe

authenticityandcondition

ofgoods,reducingfraudand

theft.

24/7availability

Customerswillhaveaccessto

ins