LOGISTICS & DISTRIBUTION Carrier selection – the process of choosing a transportation provider to move goods – is a strategic decision that shapes how quickly, reliably and affordably goods move through the supply chain.
For logistics teams, getting this right means balancing cost against reliability, coverage, transit time, safety and compliance. It also means aligning carrier capability with service needs, environmental targets and long-term value.
Today’ s market conditions put buyers in a position of strength, according to Kearney’ s Shippers’ Compass for Q4 2025.
The report explains:“ Freight markets remain muted, giving procurement teams a rare window to reshape carrier panels, lock in value and raise service standards.”
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Shifting the balance Across truckload, less-than-truckload( LTL), ocean, air and parcel services, buyers now hold leverage. Kearney outlines that the 2024 market size put truckload at US $ 387bn, LTL at US $ 66bn, intermodal at US $ 40bn, ocean at US $ 121bn, air at US $ 101bn, rail at US $ 97.3bn and parcel at US $ 229.7bn.
Now, LTL rates are creeping upwards at 2-3 %, while tariffs are shifting ocean markets and airfreight capacity is seeing a 2 % year-on-year expansion.
For those rethinking their approach, automation and predictability will play a central role.
134 November 2025