PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1989344
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1989344
Third-party logistics (3PL) involves outsourcing e-commerce logistics processes to external service providers, encompassing tasks such as inventory management, warehousing, and fulfillment. 3PL providers offer e-commerce merchants the means to streamline retail order fulfillment through automation.
The primary types of third-party logistics include dedicated contract carriage, domestic transportation management, international transportation management, warehousing and distribution, and other service types. Dedicated contract carriage allows shippers to pay a flat rate per truck and select the duration for which they secure vehicles, catering to their specific needs. Modes of transport encompass railways, roadways, waterways, and airways. Industries utilizing 3PL services span technology, automotive, retailing, manufacturing, and others.
Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.
Tariffs are impacting the 3PL market by increasing costs of international freight movement, cross border logistics operations, warehousing expenses, and transportation charges, which influences pricing structures and supply chain strategies. Regions such as North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific experience stronger effects, particularly across international transportation management, warehousing and distribution, and retail logistics segments. However, tariffs also encourage regional distribution hubs, promote local logistics investments, and drive supply chain resilience strategies. This results in operational challenges but strengthens regional logistics ecosystems over time.
The third-party logistics (3pl) market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides third-party logistics (3pl) market statistics, including third-party logistics (3pl) industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a third-party logistics (3pl) market share, detailed third-party logistics (3pl) market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the third-party logistics (3pl) industry. This third-party logistics (3pl) market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
The third-party logistics (3pl) market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $1321.68 billion in 2025 to $1461.13 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.6%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth of ecommerce operations, rising need for efficient inventory management, increasing logistics complexity, expansion of global trade activities, rising outsourcing of logistics functions.
The third-party logistics (3pl) market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2141.68 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.0%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing need for fast order fulfillment, rising demand for cost efficient logistics, growing expansion of retail and manufacturing supply chains, increasing reliance on professional logistics partners, expansion of global distribution networks. Major trends in the forecast period include growing outsourcing of logistics and distribution activities, increasing reliance on professional supply chain partners, rising demand for efficient order fulfillment services, increasing need for scalable logistics solutions, growing importance of integrated warehousing and transportation support.
The expansion of the e-commerce industry is expected to propel the growth of the third-party logistics market going forward. Electronic commerce refers to the buying and selling of goods and services by businesses and individuals through online platforms. Many e-commerce companies rely on third-party logistics providers to manage and optimize their supply chain operations, including warehousing, transportation, and order fulfillment. For instance, in August 2024, according to data released by the United States Census Bureau, a US-based government agency, e-commerce sales reached $282.3 billion during this period, representing a 5.3% increase compared to the first quarter of 2023. In addition, e-commerce accounted for 16% of total retail sales in the second quarter of 2024. Therefore, the growth of the e-commerce industry is driving the expansion of the third-party logistics market.
Major companies operating in the third-party logistics market are focusing on developing innovative solutions, such as integrated supply chain services, to streamline operations, enhance delivery efficiency, and address changing customer requirements. Integrated supply chain services involve a unified approach in which logistics, transportation, warehousing, and inventory management are coordinated to ensure seamless, end-to-end movement of goods from manufacturers to end customers. For instance, in October 2025, Orsini Pharmaceutical Services, LLC, a US-based pharmacy and healthcare services provider, implemented an integrated specialty pharmacy and third-party logistics solution at its new facility in Columbus, Ohio. This model supports comprehensive drug distribution management, including ultra-cold storage and complex therapy handling, strengthening Orsini's capacity to serve rare disease, gene, and cell therapy manufacturers through efficient and compliant nationwide distribution.
In November 2025, United Parcel Service, a US-based logistics and parcel delivery company, acquired Andlauer Healthcare Group for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, UPS aims to enhance its end-to-end healthcare logistics capabilities by incorporating Andlauer's temperature-controlled transportation, warehousing, and distribution network into its global supply chain operations. Andlauer Healthcare Group Inc. is a Canada-based company that provides customized third-party logistics services and specialized healthcare supply chain solutions.
Major companies operating in the third-party logistics (3pl) market report are Kuehne+Nagel International AG, DSV A/S, Deutsche Post DHL Group, C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc., J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc., Nippon Express Holdings Inc., CEVA Logistics, FedEx Corporation, XPO Logistics Inc., Expeditors International of Washington Inc., Geodis, Bollore Logistics, Rhenus Group, Gebruder Weiss, Sinotrans Limited, Allcargo Logistics Ltd., Aegis Logistics Ltd., Mahindra Logistics Ltd., Delhivery Ltd., TVS Supply Chain Solutions Ltd., Safexpress Pvt. Ltd., Burris Logistics, ShipMonk, Weber Logistics
Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the third-party logistics market in 2025. The regions covered in the third-party logistics (3pl) market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.
The countries covered in the third-party logistics (3pl) market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain
The third-party logistics market includes revenues earned by entities by providing services such as warehousing, purchasing supplies, inventory control, customs brokerage, freight audit, payments, and shipment monitoring. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Third-Party Logistics (3PL) Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses third-party logistics (3pl) market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for third-party logistics (3pl) ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The third-party logistics (3pl) market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
Added Benefits available all on all list-price licence purchases, to be claimed at time of purchase. Customisations within report scope and limited to 20% of content and consultant support time limited to 8 hours.