Thought Leadership: Smarter Shipping with Real Time Data & Analytics

Current Dilemma

Logistics isn’t just complex—it’s evolving faster than operational models can keep pace. Fuel costs, shifting tariffs, weather events, changing lane capacity: all ripple across global supply chains. Lacking real-time data and analytics means reacting, not leading. The result? Delayed customs entry, unpredictable brokerage costs, blind spots in transit, and broken promises. Customers notice. Trust erodes. Margins shrink.

Shipping in 2025 Is a Data Game

Shipping in 2025 is no longer about moving parcels—it’s a data game. The companies that win aren't the fastest—they’re the smartest. Our ability to see what’s happening, right now, in every shipment, impacts trust, cost, speed—and client decisions. In this piece, we’ll explore seven key data-driven breakthroughs that define modern logistics, and how actionable insights can transform bottlenecks into breakthroughs.

Read also: Finding Clarity for Ecommerce Amid the Trade Confusion

We talk a lot about speed. About scaling. About crossing borders faster, cheaper, and with fewer surprises. But none of that matters if we don’t have the data to back it up. In global logistics, decisions are only as strong as the insights behind them. And right now, too many organizations are flying blind—operating with delayed customs visibility, guesswork inventory planning, and outdated assumptions about customer behavior.

That’s not a technology problem. It’s a leadership problem.

Below are seven data-driven challenges facing the industry today—rooted in gaps that undermine trust, inflate costs, and break client partnerships before they begin. As we look ahead, the companies that win won't be the ones moving the most packages; they’ll be the ones using real-time data to move the smartest. These are the signals to watch.

Key Insights

Insight No. 1 | Customs Brokerage Delays

Cross-border movements are highly susceptible to inefficiencies stemming from a lack of real-time visibility into customs processes. Without precise Estimated Time of Arrival (ETA) data for customs clearance, shipments face increased scrutiny and potential hold-ups.

• Insight: A 2025 Visigistics study revealed that shipments lacking live customs ETA data are 18% more likely to be detained at borders, leading to significant and costly disruptions. Proactive data integration is essential for seamless international trade.

These delays often arise from incomplete documentation, broker inconsistencies, or last-minute inspections. The result? Clients get frustrated, fees mount, and relationships suffer.

Source: Visigistics Global Customs Delays Study, 2025

Insight No. 2 | Misclassification of Goods

Misclassification of goods, particularly concerning Harmonized System (HS) codes, poses substantial financial and regulatory risks. Manual or outdated classification processes significantly increase exposure to penalties.

• Insight: A 2024 PwC report found that firms without automated, real-time HS-code validation incur 22% more fines related to under-declared goods. Implementing intelligent, real-time digital checks is crucial for robust regulatory compliance.

Source: PwC Digital Transformation in Logistics Report, 2024

Insight No. 3 | Rerouting Costs

The last mile represents a disproportionately high component of total delivery costs. The absence of real-time rerouting capabilities in response to unforeseen variables like traffic or road closures directly inflates operational expenses and diminishes customer satisfaction.

• Insight: Infosys’ 2024 analysis demonstrated that the lack of dynamic rerouting capabilities inflates the cost per package by 13%. Real-time data-driven route optimization is indispensable for last-mile cost-effectiveness.

Source: Infosys Optimized Last-Mile Operations Analysis, 2024 

Insight No. 4 | Maintenance Failures 

Unscheduled fleet downtime is a major source of operational inefficiency and substantial repair expenditure. Shifting from reactive to predictive maintenance, powered by real-time sensor data, transforms asset management.

• Insight: Industry studies from 2023 indicate that predictive maintenance, leveraging real-time sensor data, can reduce vehicle breakdowns by up to 70% and lower repair costs by 10–12%. This directly translates to improved asset utilization and operational stability.

Source: Industry Sensor-Based Fleet Studies, 2023

Insight No. 5 | Empty Mile Waste

The prevalence of "empty miles" in trucking fleets represents a significant waste of fuel and a considerable environmental impact. Manual planning often fails to identify optimal backhaul opportunities.

• Insight: Reports from ATRI and Uber Freight (2024–25) highlight that AI-driven routing algorithms, which rely on real-time freight matching, can reduce empty miles by 10–15%. This results in substantial fuel savings and a reduced carbon footprint, aligning economic and environmental objectives.

Source: ATRI/Uber Freight Reporting, 2024–25 

No. 6 | Customer Attrition due to Poor Visibility

In an era where customer expectations for transparency are at an all-time high, the lack of real-time shipment visibility can erode trust and lead to customer attrition.

• Insight: PwC’s 2024 logistics digitalization survey found that firms utilizing real-time tracking technologies effectively reduce customer churn rates by 23%. Providing immediate, accurate updates is paramount for building and sustaining long-term customer relationships.

Source: PwC Logistics Digitalization Survey, 2024 

No. 7 | Inventory Imbalance

Suboptimal inventory management, characterized by both stock-outs and excess stock, directly impacts supply chain efficiency and profitability. Traditional forecasting methods often fail to adapt quickly to demand fluctuations.

• Insight: A 2023 case study from the Institute of Transportation Engineers demonstrated that companies adopting demand-driven inventory management, leveraging real-time sales and market data, experienced 28% fewer stock-outs and 22% lower overstock. This optimizes carrying costs and enhances fulfillment capabilities.

Source: Institute of Transportation Engineers Case Study, 2023

Key Takeaways | What We Offer

Customs Brokerage Delays

Key Challenges: Border delays caused by missing customs ETA data, incomplete documentation, and inconsistent broker communication. 
What We Offer: We provide live customs ETA tracking with proactive document verification to streamline border clearance and reduce costly delays.

Misclassification of Goods

Key Challenges: Manual or outdated HS-code processes increase exposure to fines and regulatory violations. 
What We Offer: We deliver real-time HS-code validation powered by intelligent rules engines, flagging errors before goods reach customs.

Rerouting Costs 

Key Challenges: Static delivery plans can't respond to road closures or traffic, inflating last-mile delivery expenses. 
What We Offer: We enable real-time rerouting with traffic-aware logic, minimizing delivery disruptions and last-mile costs.

Maintenance Failures 

Key Challenges: Reactive fleet maintenance leads to unplanned downtime and high repair bills. 
What We Offer: We use sensor-triggered maintenance alerts that detect issues early—keeping your fleet moving and budgets under control.

Empty Mile Waste 

Key Challenges: Inefficient freight matching leads to fuel waste and environmental impact. 
What We Offer: We use real-time freight matching to reduce empty miles, boost backhaul utilization, and shrink your carbon footprint.

Customer Attrition due to Poor Visibility 

Key Challenge: Lack of tracking visibility erodes client trust and increases churn. 
What We Offer: We offer live tracking and shareable customer portals, giving clients transparency from pickup to final delivery.

Inventory Imbalance 

Key Challenge: Static inventory forecasts can’t keep up with real-world demand swings. 
What We Offer: We integrate live demand signals into inventory planning, reducing waste and improving fulfillment accuracy.