US business logistics costs reached a record equivalent to 8.7% of national GDP in 2024. This is because businesses have increased their investment in artificial intelligence (AI) and automation, and continue to enhance supply chain performance amid rising operational pressures.
That is according to 2025 Logistics Status Reports by the Supply Chain Management Council (CSCMP) and created in a partnership with consultant Kearney and sponsored by Penske Logistics.
The report highlights that AI is the basis for cargo network optimization not only in the US, but across global logistics systems that are increasingly shaped by destruction and volatility.
Logistics costs increased by US$300 million year-on-year, but the GDP share remains flat at 8.7%, indicating that productivity and technology adoption have helped to reduce the impact on further inflation.
However, the sector continued to face headwinds, including flat volume, surplus truck capacity and increased permanent costs.
E-commerce is a major growth driver, bringing global online retail sales closer to 6.3 tons, further strengthening demand for agile warehouses, fast last mile delivery and capacity for air freight.
Technology investments were cited as an important response to these pressures. The report outlines how supply chain leaders are accelerating the deployment of AI, data analytics, robotics and automation to not only improve operational efficiency, but also incorporate long-term resilience.
Korhan Acar, Kearney's partner and lead author of the report, said:
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During a panel discussion at the New York City report launch, ACAR emphasized that the transformational potential of AI lies in its ability to rapidly analyze data and generate dynamic solutions across transport systems.
“We fully believe that the benefits of AI are authentic. It is going to solve a lot of our problems,” he explained. “The speed is incredible.
“The data intake, image levels and immense processing power create dynamic solutions for this sector.”
The report also reflects the changing dynamics of global trade, noting that Mexico surpassed China in 2024 as the US's largest trading partner. Bilateral trade between the two countries reached US$840 billion, an increase of 6% from the previous year.
Elsewhere, the report highlights the growing role of third-party logistics providers as they navigate increasingly complex global supply chains shaped by geopolitical tensions, changing trade regulations, and volatility in marine cargo rates.
The findings point to sectors that are currently undergoing migration. This moves beyond reactive measures towards a future shaped by strategic investments in digital infrastructure, workforce realization and resilient design.
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