Global 3PL Market Report Includes Estimates for 190 Countries in 2017

The global forecast for 3PLs this year, as composed by the consultancy, Armstrong & Associates is “lukewarm,” says the chairman Richard Armstrong.

With the release of a new report, “Third-Party Logistics Market Results and Trends for 2017 Including Estimates for 190 Countries,” Armstrong told SCMR that “nothing spectacular” was recorded over the time period.

“Not that we expected much,” he added. “The global economy has been softening, and that is reflected in supply chains worldwide.”

2016 was a “mediocre year” for third-party logistics in the U.S., said Armstrong, with net revenues growing a modest 2.1% over 2015 to $73.5 billion. Overall gross revenues increased 3.5% expanding the total U.S. 3PL market to $166.8 billion.

Big M&A deals changed third-party logistics from mid-2014 through 2015. In 2016, the pace slackened significantly. The biggest deal was FedEx's acquisition of TNT Express in the second quarter. Other big deals were DSV's acquisition of UTi Worldwide in January and HNA Group's purchase of Ingram Micro for $6 billion.

In 2016, the Domestic Transportation Management (DTM) segment increased 5.3% in gross revenue and 7% in net revenue as Domestic Transportation Management 3PLs (DTMs) tightened up operations in an effort to compensate for ample truck capacity.

International Transportation Management (ITM), which had strong growth 10 years ago, grew 2.6% in gross revenue, but net revenue fell 1.9%. ITM, like DTM, was negatively impacted by too much air and ocean capacity in the market. Dedicated Contract Carriage (DCC) grew 3.5%. Segment leader, Ryder, was up 14%. Value-Added Warehousing and Distribution (VAWD) increased 1.9% on tight capacity and warehouse utilization.

Global 3PL revenues reached $802 billion in 2016 and are on track to exceed $962 billion in 2020. We've expanded our global 3PL market estimates to seven major regions comprising 190 countries. Total and segment 3PL revenues and logistics spend by key countries and regions are included.

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