3PLs Remain Relevant in the Face of Growing Private Fleets

Private carrier fleets owned and operated by shippers are becoming more common. According to The National Private Truck Council’s (NPTC) 2025 Benchmarking Survey, 70% of outbound shipments and 43% of inbound shipments are transported by in-house carriers. The survey also reported that 72% of respondents plan to hire more drivers and add equipment. 

Reasons for the steady growth of private fleets include:

• Greater supply chain control
• Protection against capacity shortages and risk
• Growth in regional distribution networks
• Better customer service and brand protection

Despite these trends and the benefits of using private fleets, 3PLs will continue to be relevant in the logistics industry. 

For one, starting a private fleet requires considerable investment in trucks, trailers, and facilities. There’s also the added work of hiring drivers, maintaining vehicles and equipment, and complying with safety standards and insurance requirements. 

A private fleet simply isn’t a feasible option for smaller businesses without the capital or resources to start one. That’s where 3PLs come in. 

3PLs provide shippers with:

• Transportation management
• Freight brokerage
• Warehousing
• Inventory management
• Order fulfillment
• Distribution
• Network optimization

Shippers gain access to all of these services without having to pay the costs that come with starting a private fleet or undertaking the regulatory requirements associated with them. 

In many cases, businesses do not rely solely on private fleets or 3PL-provided dedicated fleets. Instead, they use a hybrid model that supports different shipping needs. 

For example, companies use private fleets for core operations like deliveries to key customers, high-volume distribution, and time-sensitives shipments. Meanwhile, they can access dedicated fleets through 3PLs to expand their capacity to mitigate risks. 

Private and dedicated fleets are better suited for different lanes. Daily deliveries and high-density routes are best served by private fleets, while a dedicated fleet can help businesses reach new geographic markets or to keep up with rising seasonal demand.  The growth of private fleets doesn’t signal the decline of 3PLs. Instead, it reflects shipper’s desire for more flexible transportation strategies. Businesses that combine private fleets with third-party logistics services can improve their efficiency, expand capacity when needed, and build more resilient supply chains.