Navigating Trade Alignment and the Impact of Gen AI on Freight and Logistics Enterprises

Freight and logistics enterprises are defending margins by renegotiating contracts, adopting flexible analytics-driven pricing, diversifying revenue through the rail/air/sea mix, and expanding value-added services via digital platforms. They are tackling volatility with AI-powered scenario planning, while adding dynamic pricing engines and integrated cargo tracking for real-time control. To accelerate capability buildout, they are acquiring robotics, IoT cargo tracking, and advanced planning platforms. They are also strengthening sustainability and resilience through climate-scenario modeling, satellite/IoT monitoring, and disruption-risk analytics, while raising ESG targets with low-carbon fleets, renewable-energy warehousing, and supplier audits. Freight and logistics companies are redesigning networks around nearshoring corridors with alternative hubs and network-optimization software, and orchestrating multimodal flows across air, trucking, and warehousing to capture growth on new trade lanes. They collaborate with service providers to drive digital transformation, which requires strong technological expertise and delivery capabilities.

Both demand-side and supply-side trends are covered in our Freight and Logistics Digital Services 2025 Market Insights™ and Freight and Logistics Digital Services 2025 RadarView™, respectively. These reports present a comprehensive study of digital service providers in the freight and logistics industry, including top trends, analysis, and recommendations. The RadarView also takes a close look at the leaders, innovators, disruptors, and challengers in this market.

We evaluated 38 service providers across three dimensions: practice maturity, investments and innovation, and partner ecosystem. Of the 38 providers, we recognized 16 that brought the most value to the market over the past 12 months.

The reports recognize service providers across four categories:

• Leaders: Capgemini, Cognizant, HCLTech, Infosys, TCS, and Wipro
• Innovators: Accenture, LTIMindtree, and Tech Mahindra
• Disruptors: Coforge, DXC Technology, IBM, and Unisys
• Challengers: Hitachi Digital Services, Kyndryl, and Mphasis

Figure 1 below from the full report illustrates these categories:

“F&L firms are scaling AI for scenario planning and dynamic pricing, using digital twins with IoT/edge visibility to manage hubs,” said Michael Wheeler, partner and supply chain practice lead at Avasant. “They are rewiring for nearshoring, regulatory compliance, and margin protection by deploying low-carbon assets and Scope 3 tracking to achieve ESG goals.”

The reports provide several findings, including the following:

• • Overcapacity and falling freight rates amid trade tensions are forcing freight and logistics enterprises to protect margins and diversify revenue sources.
  • Elevated supply chain stress and rising container spot-rate volatility are driving enterprises to improve their ability to respond rapidly to market fluctuations.
  • Carriers and third-party logistics (3PL) firms are acquiring capabilities and quickly integrating them with transport management systems, automation, and analytics to embed into their core operations.
  • Growing climate risks and shifting ESG focus are pushing enterprises toward supply chain resilience while meeting sustainability commitments.
  • Global trade realignment is prompting enterprises to reconfigure networks and develop multimodal solutions to serve emerging trade corridors.

“Digital twins fed by 5G and edge IoT give service providers a live model of ports, and AI with automation acts on it to plan networks and manage disruption,” said Carlos Hernandez, managing partner at Avasant. “They are using blockchain and eBL for trade records, zero-trust across IT and OT, and standards-based analytics for end-to-end visibility.”

The Freight and Logistics Digital Services 2025 RadarView™ also features detailed profiles of 16 service providers, along with their solutions, offerings, and experience in assisting freight and logistics enterprises in digital transformation journeys.

This Research Byte provides a brief overview of the Freight and Logistics Digital Services 2025 Market Insights™ and Freight and Logistics Digital Services 2025 RadarView™ (click for pricing.)