Fourth Party Logistics Market -Forecast, 2024-2030

Fourth Party Logistics Market -Forecast, 2024-2030

Fourth Party Logistics Market Overview

Fourth Party Logistics market size is forecast to reach US$96.1 billion by 2030, after growing at a CAGR of 6.3% during 2024-2030. Fourth-party logistics, also known as a Lead Logistics Provider (LLP), is a single service provider that manages all aspects of a customer's supply chain and serves as a single point of contact for the customer and multiple other carriers and logistics service providers. The Fourth Party Logistics market is driven by the increasing complexity of global supply chains which necessitates integrated solutions, growth of e-commerce and retail, rise in growth of logistics sector, rise in adoption of advanced technologies like big data analytics, IoT, and AI are which are enhancing supply chain visibility and efficiency. Additionally, Companies are aiming to reduce logistics costs and improve efficiency by outsourcing which is driving the growth of Fourth Party Logistics globally. 

A major trend in the Fourth Party Logistics market is the integration of drones. Drone integration is improving the speed and efficiency in supply chain logistics. Traditional delivery techniques deal with issues such heavy traffic, imprecise delivery, a lack of rail-road infrastructure, and human error. These issues can be resolved and delivery efficiency and quality increased by using drones in logistics services. For instance, In September 2023, Skye Air Mobility partnered with Cipla to launch drone-powered deliveries of its critical medicines for hospitals and pharmacies in Himachal Pradesh. They completed multiple drone deliveries covering approximately 50 kilometres distance in under 25 minutes in its inaugural phase. Additionally, processes automation in logistics is emerging as a recent trend in Fourth Party Logistics market. Automation can significantly enhance the logistics sector, which has historically relied on manual procedures. Inventory management can be accelerated by automated data entry systems that make use of barcode and RFID technology. 

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Market Snapshot: 

Fourth Party Logistics Market - Report Coverage:

The “Fourth Party Logistics Market Report - Forecast (2024-2030)” by IndustryARC, covers an in-depth analysis of the following segments in the Fourth Party Logistics Market.

COVID-19 / Ukraine Crisis - Impact Analysis:  

  • The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the global Fourth Party Logistics market, both positively and negatively. Lockdowns and transportation restrictions led to severe disruptions in global supply chains, causing delays, shortages and increased costs. Additionally, the pandemic accelerated the shift towards online shopping boosting demand for e-commerce logistics services which 4PL providers are well-equipped to handle. 
  • The Russia-Ukraine conflict impacted the Fourth Party Logistics market. The supply chain interruptions have reduced the amount of available warehousing space, raised freight costs and caused container shortages. Due to congestion and shipment delays, a number of ports have been shuttered and orders are being withdrawn affecting the 4PL market.

Key Takeaways

Solution Integrator Model the Largest Segment 

Solution Integrator Model is the largest segment in the Fourth Party Logistics market, in terms of type due to its comprehensive approach to logistics management. Solution integrators streamline and synchronize a number of freights forwarding procedures, resulting in more efficient operations and better stakeholder collaboration. By automating processes like documentation and real-time cargo tracking, these integrators help freight forwarders increase productivity, decrease errors and delays, and boost customer satisfaction. For instance, in November 2023, Accenture announced a collaboration with SAP SE to help organizations transform their supply chains through a comprehensive supply chain nerve center designed to reduce risk, enhance visibility, and support sustainability goals. Together, Accenture and SAP also plan to co-develop new features for the SAP Integrated Business Planning for Supply Chain (SAP IBP) solution, aimed at enabling quicker, cost-effective responses to fluctuations in supply, demand, and inventory. Such technological advancements are propelling the growth of Fourth Party Logistics market globally. 

Supply Chain Optimization is the Largest Segment 

Supply Chain Optimization is the Largest Segment is the largest segment in the Fourth Party Logistics market. The rapid expansion of e-commerce has significantly increased the complexity of supply chains. E-commerce businesses often deal with a large number of stock keeping units (SKUs), diverse customer demands, and shorter product lifecycles. To meet these challenges, they require efficient and flexible supply chains that can adapt to changing market conditions, which in turn driving the growth of supply chain optimization segment in Fourth Party Logistics market globally. For instance, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, e-commerce sales in the second quarter of 2023 increased by 7.7% year-over-year, accounting for 14.7% of total sales. Total retail sales increased by 0.5% in the same period. Thus, the rapid expansion of e-commerce sector creates a favorable environment for the growth of the Fourth Party Logistics Market. 

North America Dominates the Market

The North America region dominates the Fourth Party Logistics market with a share of 40% in 2023. The significant rise in inventory levels and restocking among downstream retailers reflects a need for streamlined inventory management, which fourth party logistics providers excel at. As downstream inventory expands, companies require fourth party logistics expertise to coordinate upstream and downstream supply chains. For instance, according to Logistics Manager’s Index 2024, the September Logistics Manager’s Index reads in at 58.6, up (+2.2) from August’s reading of 56.4 and at its highest levels in the last two years in September 2022. The overall index has now increased for ten consecutive months, providing strong evidence that the logistics industry is back on solid footing. Additionally, the spike in downstream warehousing prices (75.0) and transportation prices (68.3) according to Logistics Manager’s Index 2024 reveals heightened demand for these services, often managed end-to-end by Fourth Party Logistics providers. Such factors are driving the growth of Fourth Party Logistics market growth in this region. 

Global Rise in Performance of Logistics Sector 

Global rise in logistics sector is propelling the growth of Fourth Party Logistics market. As logistics sector becomes increasingly complex, businesses are looking for more advanced solutions to manage their supply chains. For instance, according to India Brand Equity Foundation, the Indian logistics market, valued $107.16 billion in FY23, is projected to grow significantly, reaching $159.54 billion by FY28, with a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8-9%, This growth is driven by structural shifts, technological advancements, and government initiatives focused on reducing logistics costs and improving infrastructure. Several initiatives like The National Logistics Policy, unveiled in September 2022, aims to optimize India’s logistics landscape by increasing the share of railways in freight movement, currently at 18%, through developing dedicated freight corridors (DFCs), enhancing road infrastructure, and expanding inland waterways. Additionally, growth in logistics has brought more technology, from AI to real-time tracking, into the sector. Fourth Party Logistics providers specialize in integrating these technologies, allowing companies to leverage advanced logistics solutions, which is eventually driving the Fourth Party Logistics Market globally.

Integration Complexity 

The process of data integration can be challenging in fourth party logistics market, especially when working with numerous data sources or high data volumes. It might take a lot of time and resources to integrate many systems, applications, and data sources that are available in various formats inside a supply chain network. As Fourth Party Logistics providers often work with a multiple data sources like transportation management systems, warehouse management systems, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems and customer relationship management (CRM) systems, each system may have its own data structure, format, and terminology, making it difficult to integrate data effectively. However, careful planning, technological expertise, and improved collaboration between various parties are crucial. Businesses need to spend money on technologies and tools that make the integration process with fourth party logistics easier. 

Key Market Players

Fourth Party Logistics Market top 10 companies include: 

  1. DHL Supply Chain 
  2. UPS Supply Chain Solutions
  3. DB Schenker 
  4. Kuehne + Nagel 
  5. CEVA Logistics
  6. XPO Logistics 
  7. DSV Panalpina 
  8. Geodis 
  9. CH Robinson 
  10. Penske Logistics

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