Most logistics companies in Europe and the Middle East say digital tools are now critical to their operations but only a small share have implemented them across core workflows, according to a survey published by Deep Current.
Most freight forwarders, 3PLs, and mid-sized carriers across Europe and the Middle East believe technology adoption is “mission critical” for their business. However, only 29% confirmed they have implemented it across most operational workflows.
“What our data shows is a fundamental shift in how logistics teams want to modernize. Nearly half now favor modular tools that plug into their existing systems, not the large platform overhauls of the past. This ‘integrate, don’t replace’ mindset will define 2026 because it finally bridges ambition with practicality,” says Tamim Fannoush, founder and CEO of Deep Current.
Key takeaways:
· Customer-facing functions are leading the way. Today, 55% of companies use digital systems for shipment tracking and visibility, while 41% have invested in document auditing and compliance tools.
· But under the surface, the operational backbone of logistics remains largely untouched by digital transformation. Only 24% of companies have digitized internal document handling (such as bills of lading and invoices) end to end. And 61% of logistics teams still depend on emails and spreadsheets to manage communication with overseas partners.
· The biggest barrier to adoption, cited by 47% of executives, is integration with legacy systems.
· Close behind, 39% highlighted cost and unclear ROI, reflecting the hesitation to commit budgets without seeing tangible proof that tools will deliver savings or error reduction. Another 34% said resistance to change among staff slows down implementation, while 31% admitted they lack in-house logistics and technology expertise to drive and sustain digital projects. Finally, 27% pointed to a critical gap: most vendor solutions don’t fully fit the nuances of logistics workflows, making it hard to see them as practical answers.
· 57% of logistics executives reported shipment delays in the past year directly tied to document errors.
· The financial impact is equally serious. 42% said they lost revenue opportunities because manual processes slowed down client onboarding or made it impossible to scale with demand. Another 36% admitted to incurring compliance fines or penalties, a stark reminder that regulatory errors can cost not only money but also trust with shippers and regulators.
· The majority of respondents see the next 12–18 months as critical for catching up on digitization. 72% said they plan to invest in document automation tools.
· 61% believe AI will play an important supporting role, but emphasize that human expertise remains central to how logistics really works.
· The industry is choosing flexibility over complexity. Nearly half (49%) prefer modular tools that can plug into their existing systems rather than large, end-to-end platforms that demand a full overhaul.
“The future of logistics digitization is not about betting everything on a single platform or hoping AI will magically fix inefficiencies. It’s about adopting modular, logistics-first tools that augment human expertise and integrate seamlessly with the systems that teams already trust,” adds Fannoush.
