Annual Review & Outlook 2025
Logistics
Executive Commentary
Financial viability of carriers will be important to watch in 2025 . If the truckload market continues to experience a historic freight recession , expect to see more carriers close their doors or be acquired — especially small to mid-size trucking companies . This could reduce capacity and allow truckload carriers to seek more aggressive rate increases .
Add it all up and volatility , variability and viability will affect virtually every sector in the transportation marketplace and make life challenging for both shippers and carriers .
YQN Logistics
Cash Zhou
Founder and CEO www . yqn . com
In the logistics industry , emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence , internet of things and blockchain are driving significant innovations . For example , in container shipping , AI demonstrates substantial advantages in cargo tracking and predictive monitoring . By integrating big data , AI provides real-time visibility for container transport , effectively addressing delays or unexpected situations during transit . Additionally , AI can be applied across the entire transport chain , including assessing port congestion and trailer conditions , enabling accurate predictions of transport time and costs .
Today , in the realms of ports and warehousing , technologies such as automated terminals , self-driving unmanned trucks and unmanned cargo ships have been implemented in controlled environments , significantly improving port operational efficiency . However , the application of these technologies in open logistics pathways is still under development . In some large ports and warehouses , automation technology has become standard , allowing routine logistics operations such as document handling , automated sorting , transport and packing to be fully automated . Nonetheless , certain scenarios remain resistant to full automation ; for instance , small ports and warehouses face cost and regional constraints that limit automation potential , specialized large cargo presents challenges due to size variability , and customized orders still require manual processing . These areas represent key focal points for future advancements in logistics . Additionally , new energy-powered solutions and AR / VR-enabled remote warehouse inspection technologies are nearing maturity ,
offering further opportunities for innovation in the industry .
Looking forward , advanced technologies such as quantum computing are also expected to unlock substantial potential in the logistics sector .
By 2025 , we anticipate the application of more new technologies to further enhance
SHIP AGENCY | PORTS | LOGISTICS www . ags . inc ags _ agunsa AGS
supply chain visibility and predictability . This will allow logistics customers to track cargo movements and transit times in real time , with more intuitive predictions of costs and shipping timelines . Meanwhile , logistics providers will be able to offer more flexible and adaptive strategies , making the logistics process increasingly transparent and reliable .
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YOUR LOGISTICS PARTNER www . joc . com January 6 , 2025 | Journal of Commerce 103