Most logistics companies in Europe and the Middle East say digital tools are now crucial to their operations, but only a small percentage have implemented them across core workflows, according to a survey published by logistics technology company Deep Current on Thursday.
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Most freight forwarders, 3PLs, and mid-sized carriers across Europe and the Middle East surveyed by Deep Current in the first half of 2025 said they believe adopting technology is “mission critical” for their businesses. However, only 29% confirmed that they implemented it in most operational workflows.
“What our data shows is a fundamental shift in the way logistics teams want to modernize. Nearly half now prefer standard tools that plug into their existing systems, not the big platform overhauls of the past. This ‘integrate, not replace’ mentality will define 2026 because it ultimately links ambition with practicality.” Tamim Fanoush, Founder and CEO of Deep Current, shared.
When we looked deeper at where the technology had been adopted and where it had not, a clear pattern emerged. Customer-facing functions are leading the way. Today, 55% of companies use digital systems to track and visualize shipments, while 41% have invested in document auditing and compliance tools.
But beneath the surface, the operational backbone of logistics remains largely untouched by digital transformation. Only 24% of companies digitally process internal documents (such as bills of lading and invoices) from start to finish. Even more striking, 61% of logistics teams still rely on emails and spreadsheets to manage communications with external partners.
Barriers to adoption
One participant, a logistics specialist from Germany, shared: “Every vendor tells us that AI will solve everything. But when it comes to actual workflow, for example missing HS codes, or incorrect addressees, they don’t understand the details.”
If the importance of technology adoption is clear, why is progress still so uneven? Survey respondents cited several recurring obstacles that make operations tied to manual processes. The biggest barrier, cited by 47% of executives, is integration with legacy systems. Older ERP systems and TMS platforms that are expensive and risky to replace.
Next, 39% highlighted unclear cost and ROI, reflecting a reluctance to commit to budgets without seeing tangible evidence that the tools will deliver savings or reduce errors. Another 34% said resistance to change among employees slows down implementation, while 31% admitted they lack the internal logistics and technology expertise to drive and sustain digital projects. Finally, 27% cited a critical gap: most vendor solutions don’t quite fit the nuances of logistics workflows, making it difficult to see them as practical answers.
The true costs of late adoption
In our survey, 57% of logistics executives reported that shipping delays in the past year were directly related to document errors. These small errors, often buried in a bill of lading or customs declaration, create cascading disruptions throughout the supply chain.
The financial impact is equally serious. 42% said they lost revenue opportunities because manual processes slowed customer onboarding or made it impossible to scale with demand. Another 36% admitted to incurring fines or compliance penalties, a stark reminder that regulatory mistakes not only cost money, but also trust with shippers and regulators.
Survey respondent, Operations Manager, Freight Forwarder, Netherlands, 40 years in logistics:
“I’ve spent four decades in this industry, and the same mistakes keep coming back. A missing stamp, a mistyped code, or the wrong invoice format can stop a container worth millions. We know the problems inside out, but without the right tools, my team still spends half the day chasing paperwork instead of moving cargo. It’s exhausting. And it doesn’t have to be this way in 2025.”
Where logistics leaders plan to invest
Despite the challenges we face today, logistics executives are not standing still. The majority of participants believe that the next 12 to 18 months will be crucial to keeping pace with digital transformation. 72% said they plan to invest in document automation tools. This is a clear sign that the industry wants to eliminate its biggest weakness: repetitive and error-prone paperwork.
When it comes to advanced technologies, leaders are realistic. 61% believe AI will play an important supporting role, but stress that human expertise remains pivotal to how logistics truly works. AI may speed up document scanning or data extraction processes, but only experienced operators understand the context and consequences of each decision.
The industry chooses flexibility over complexity. Nearly half (49%) prefer modular tools that can plug into their existing systems rather than large, all-encompassing platforms that require an overhaul. The “integration, not replacement” mentality reflects both cost pressures and the risk-averse nature of operations teams, but also indicates a practical path forward.
“The future of logistics digitization is not about betting everything on one platform or hoping that AI will magically fix inefficiencies. It is about adopting modular logistics-first tools that leverage human expertise and integrate seamlessly with systems that teams already trust.” Fanoush concluded.
About the deep current
Deep Current is a technology company created by logistics professionals who understand the real day-to-day challenges faced by freight forwarders around the world. The company develops intelligent workflow automation tools that replace error-prone manual processes with reliable, scalable, technology-driven processes. Designed to meet the uniquely complex and diverse needs of global freight forwarders, Deep Current builds custom, operational-ready products that eliminate repetitive tasks, reduce delays, and allow teams to focus on higher-value work. The result is faster productivity, improved service reliability, and stronger business performance, without adding headcount.
As workflows scale more seamlessly across the sector, Deep Current helps enhance supply chain resilience, reduce waste, and support smarter, greener global trade. At its core, Deep Current delivers the technology that makes logistics work the way it should: seamless, predictable, and consistently high-performance.
