Shippers push for AI-capable 3PLs amid nearshoring surge and global disruptions
According to the 2027 Third-Party Logistics Study released Tuesday, 74 percent of shippers report major or severe impacts from global conflicts and geopolitical disruptions. At the same time, 86 percent are increasing their use of outsourced logistics services while 74 percent are consolidating their 3PL partners, up from 50 percent in the prior year.
The study shows 93 percent of shippers deem AI important, very important or critical when choosing a 3PL, yet only 12 percent of providers say they are highly prepared to deliver AI-enabled operations. Nearshoring remains a priority, with 74 percent of shippers diversifying suppliers or sourcing regions and 73 percent raising safety stock or inventory buffers. Nike’s chief operating officer told employees the brand is shifting away from owning much of its fulfillment network and will focus more on local partnerships, reflecting the broader move toward regional sourcing.
“The preponderance of what we’ve been facing is a global reset in the geopolitical environment, supplemented by natural phenomena and, on top of that, a large driving force of global economic reset,” Mark Baxa, president and CEO of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) said.
The research was produced by NTT DATA, Penske Logistics and the University of Tennessee’s Global Supply Chain Institute, with backing from the CSCMP. Anne Reinke of the Intermodal Association of North America pointed to a large increase in Mexico‑bound intermodal shipments. Bloomberg reported last week that Nike is pursuing a nearshoring strategy more aggressively than before.
What we know
Nearly three in four (74 percent of) shippers are experiencing major or severe ongoing impacts from global conflicts and geopolitical disruptions, according to the 2027 Third-Party Logistics Study released Tuesday.
Shippers are already outsourcing more logistics activity: 86 percent said they are increasing their use of outsourced logistics services.
The study found that 93 percent of shippers consider AI important, very important or critical when evaluating a 3PL.
But only 12 percent of 3PLs said they are highly prepared to deliver AI-enabled operations, while 82 percent described themselves as moderately prepared.
Last week, Bloomberg reported that Nike is among the companies more heavily pursuing that strategy, with chief operating officer Venky Alagirisamy saying during a meeting with employees that the athletic apparel and footwear brand is “shifting away from owning a large part of our fulfillment and distribution network that we have done so for the last 50-plus years,” instead focusing more on local partnerships.