Reading, Pa. – October 06, 2026 -- Shippers are deploying AI for predictive analytics and risk planning at nearly 1.5 times the rate of third-party logistics providers, 66% versus 43%, according to the 2027 Third-Party Logistics Study released alongside the CSCMP EDGE conference. The annual study, founded by Dr. John Langley, emeritus professor at the University of Tennessee, is supported by Penske Logistics and NTT DATA and is based on survey responses from supply chain leaders.
Data quality and legacy systems remain the top barriers to AI scale-up
While AI adoption is embedded in operational planning, 61% of respondents cited data quality and availability as a barrier, followed by legacy system integration at 54% and budget constraints at 46%. 3PLs are focusing AI investment on generative AI, machine learning, optimization and autonomous decision-making.
Strategic partnerships now drive over half of 3PL revenue
3PLs reported that 54% of their revenues are linked to strategic partnerships with customers, while shippers connected 39% of their outsourced logistics spending to such partnerships. Trust and open communication ranked as the top priority for shippers in these relationships, ahead of operational excellence and agility.
3PLs prioritize cybersecurity risk far more than shippers do
Transportation capacity disruptions remain the dominant concern for both shippers and 3PLs. However, 3PLs placed significantly greater emphasis on cybersecurity risk than shippers, at 42% versus 29%. Shippers are countering disruption through network flexibility, including multi-carrier and multi-modal strategies, alternative sourcing, and inventory buffering.
Confidence gap widens on freight fraud defenses between 3PLs and shippers
About 69% of 3PLs reported being extremely satisfied with their technology defenses against freight theft, compared with only 36% of shippers expressing similar confidence. The study found that process discipline remains essential even as technology improves, particularly as supply chains face pressure to accelerate shipment speed.
"This year's 3PL Study examines several topics that are of significant, critical interest to managing domestic and global supply chains," said Dr. Langley. Jonathan Whitaker, managing director of supply chain consulting at NTT DATA, said data quality and legacy integration issues "should be a wake-up call," adding that organizations treating data and systems as strategic infrastructure will convert AI pilots into competitive advantage.