2027 3PL Study: Shippers Outpace 3PLs in AI Risk Planning, 66% vs 43%
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.