# Transport and logistics: Value chain, from upstream to the customer Shipping, road, rail and air freight, warehousing and passenger transport operators Source page: https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/transport_logistics/value-chain/ #### Value chain, from upstream to the customer **Criticality to the chain:** 5 · Chokepoint 4 · Critical 3 · Important 2 · Supporting 1 · Commodity service Stage 1 **Fleets and fuelFleet makers and lessors (trucks, ships, aircraft, containers)**4 · Critical Build or lease the trucks, vessels, aircraft, locomotives and containers that carriers operate, often on long leases that spread capital cost.^[6](https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2026-01-airbus-reports-793-commercial-aircraft-deliveries-in-2025)^,^[7](https://unctadstat.unctad.org/insights/theme/25) **Why critical:** Large jets come almost entirely from Airbus and Boeing, and Airbus alone had a backlog of 8,754 aircraft at end-2025, about 11 years of its 2025 output (calculated); 91% of ship tonnage completed in 2025 was built in China, Korea or Japan. Trucks are far more competitive. Technologies Diesel and LNG engines Battery-electric and CNG trucks Fuel-efficient hull and engine designs Operating-lease finance Depends on Commodities [St Steel](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/steel/)[Al Aluminium](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/aluminum/)[Rbr Natural rubber](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/rubber/)[Ti Titanium](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/titanium/) Chemicals [Pnt Paints and coatings](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/paints_coatings/)[Lub Lubricant additives](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/lubricant_additives/) Energy [HI Energy-intensive industry](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_heavy_industry/) Industries [Vehicles, ships, rail, aircraft](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/vehicles/)[Finance: banking, insurance, markets](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/finance/)**Examples:** Airbus, Tata Motors, Cochin Shipyard, AerCap, Triton International **Fuel and energy suppliers (diesel, bunker, jet fuel, charging)**4 · Critical Refine and deliver diesel, marine bunker fuel, jet fuel, LNG and electricity to carriers, the single biggest operating cost in most modes.^[2](https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/2026-releases/06-07-middle-east-disruptions-high-fuel-prices-halve-airline-industry-profitability/)^,^[4](https://www.outlookbusiness.com/economy-and-policy/indias-logistics-cost-pegged-at-797-pc-of-gdp-in-first-systematic-study) **Why critical:** IATA forecasts fuel at 31.4% of airline operating costs in 2026, and fuel is 42.1% of Indian road-freight costs, so price spikes pass straight into freight rates. Technologies Refining and blending Bunkering barges Airport hydrant systems EV fast charging Sustainable aviation fuel blending Depends on Commodities [Oil Crude oil](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/crude_oil/)[Gas Natural gas](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/natural_gas/) Chemicals [HVO Renewable diesel and SAF](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/hvo_saf/)[FAME Biodiesel (FAME)](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/biodiesel/) Energy [Ref Refining and reforming](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_refining/)[OP Oil and product pipelines](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_oil_pipelines/)[Tk Tankers, barges and fuel trucks](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_tankers/)**Examples:** Indian Oil Corporation, Shell, BP, Reliance Industries Stage 2 **Ports, terminals and corridorsPort and container-terminal operators**4 · Critical Run berths, cranes and yards that load and unload ships and hand containers to rail and road, charging per container or tonne.^[1](https://unctad.org/system/files/official-document/rmt2025ch1_en.pdf) **Why critical:** A country's deep-water capacity sits in a few ports; congestion or closure there delays trade for weeks and rerouting is limited. Technologies Ship-to-shore and yard cranes Terminal operating systems Automated gates and OCR Dredging Depends on Commodities [St Steel](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/steel/)[Cem Cement](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/cement/) Chemicals [Pnt Paints and coatings](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/paints_coatings/) Energy [Dist Distribution grids, mini-grids and interconnectors](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_distribution/)[ICE Internal combustion engines and gensets](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_engines/) Industries [Construction and infrastructure](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/construction/)[Machinery and equipment](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/machinery/)[Computers and electronics](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/computers_electronics/)**Examples:** Adani Ports and SEZ, DP World, PSA International, APM Terminals **Rail freight and corridor operators**3 · Important Run freight trains and container terminals on national networks and dedicated freight corridors, cheapest for bulk and long distance.^[5](https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/endpovertyinsouthasia/road-to-rail--unlocking-india-s-freight-potential-) **Why important:** Rail is usually a state monopoly on the track; India's dedicated freight corridors carried about 90 billion net-tonne-km in 2024-25, but road can substitute at higher cost. Technologies Electric locomotives Double-stack container wagons Freight operations information systems Inland container depots Depends on Commodities [St Steel](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/steel/)[Cu Copper](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/copper/) Energy [Rail Rail traction](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_rail_traction/)[RW Railway electrification and wireless power](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_rail_wireless/) Industries [Vehicles, ships, rail, aircraft](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/vehicles/)[Construction and infrastructure](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/construction/)**Examples:** Indian Railways, Container Corporation of India (CONCOR), Dedicated Freight Corridor Corporation of India, Union Pacific **Airport and air-cargo terminal operators**3 · Important Run airports, cargo terminals and ground handling for passengers and time-sensitive freight.^[2](https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/2026-releases/06-07-middle-east-disruptions-high-fuel-prices-halve-airline-industry-profitability/) **Why important:** Each city has one or two airports, but carriers can shift volumes between hubs within months. Technologies Cargo handling systems Cold rooms for pharmaceuticals X-ray screening Airport collaborative decision-making Depends on Commodities [St Steel](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/steel/) Chemicals [HVO Renewable diesel and SAF](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/hvo_saf/) Energy [Bld Energy in buildings](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_buildings/)[PCM Latent heat and cold storage](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_latent_heat/) Industries [Construction and infrastructure](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/construction/)[Computers and electronics](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/computers_electronics/)**Examples:** GMR Airports, Adani Airport Holdings, Menzies Aviation, Swissport Stage 3 **CarriersContainer shipping lines**4 · Critical Operate scheduled container services between ports, selling slots to shippers and forwarders on contract or spot rates.^[1](https://unctad.org/system/files/official-document/rmt2025ch1_en.pdf)^,^[3](https://container-news.com/largest-container-shipping-companies-at-the-end-of-h1-2026/) **Why critical:** MSC runs 21.5% of world container capacity and the top 10 lines about 85% (calculated, Alphaliner, mid-2026); Red Sea rerouting lengthened Asia-Europe voyages by about 30%. Technologies Ultra-large container ships Slow steaming and route optimisation Dual-fuel LNG and methanol engines Vessel-sharing alliances Depends on Commodities [Oil Crude oil](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/crude_oil/)[St Steel](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/steel/) Chemicals [MeOH Methanol](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/methanol/)[Pnt Paints and coatings](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/paints_coatings/) Energy [Shp Ship propulsion](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_marine/)[LNG LNG chain](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_lng/) Industries [Vehicles, ships, rail, aircraft](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/vehicles/)[Computers and electronics](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/computers_electronics/)**Examples:** MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM, COSCO Shipping · MSC 21.5%, top 10 ≈ 85% of container capacity (calculated), mid-2026 **Road freight fleet operators**2 · Supporting Carry full and part truckloads between factories, warehouses and cities, mostly small owners with a few trucks plus some large fleets.^[4](https://www.outlookbusiness.com/economy-and-policy/indias-logistics-cost-pegged-at-797-pc-of-gdp-in-first-systematic-study)^,^[5](https://blogs.worldbank.org/en/endpovertyinsouthasia/road-to-rail--unlocking-india-s-freight-potential-) **Why supporting:** Extremely fragmented supply; shippers can find another truck within days, though rates swing with diesel prices. Technologies Telematics and GPS tracking FASTag electronic tolling Digital freight-matching apps e-way bills Depends on Commodities [Oil Crude oil](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/crude_oil/)[Rbr Natural rubber](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/rubber/) Chemicals [Ur Urea](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/urea/)[Lub Lubricant additives](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/lubricant_additives/) Energy [ICV Combustion road vehicles](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_road_ice/)[EV Electric and hybrid vehicles](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_evs/) Industries [Vehicles, ships, rail, aircraft](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/vehicles/)**Examples:** Transport Corporation of India, VRL Logistics, BlackBuck (Zinka Logistics, digital freight platform), J.B. Hunt **Air cargo carriers and express integrators**3 · Important Fly freight in bellyholds and freighters and run door-to-door express networks for documents, parcels and high-value goods.^[2](https://www.iata.org/en/pressroom/2026-releases/06-07-middle-east-disruptions-high-fuel-prices-halve-airline-industry-profitability/) **Why important:** A few integrators dominate express, but many airlines sell bellyhold space; air is forecast to carry 71.7 million tonnes in 2026, at high cost per tonne. Technologies Freighter aircraft Hub-and-spoke sorting Customs pre-clearance Temperature-controlled pharma handling Depends on Commodities [Oil Crude oil](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/crude_oil/) Chemicals [HVO Renewable diesel and SAF](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/hvo_saf/) Energy [Jet Aviation propulsion](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_aviation/) Industries [Vehicles, ships, rail, aircraft](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/vehicles/)[Paper and packaging](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/paper_packaging/)**Examples:** FedEx, UPS, DHL Express, Blue Dart Stage 4 **Forwarding, warehousing and coordinationFreight forwarders and customs brokers**2 · Supporting Buy carrier capacity and arrange multimodal shipments, documents and customs clearance for exporters and importers.^[1](https://unctad.org/system/files/official-document/rmt2025ch1_en.pdf) **Why supporting:** Thousands of forwarders compete; shippers can switch within weeks, though large global contracts take longer. Technologies Freight booking platforms Electronic customs filing Consolidation (LCL) planning Shipment visibility tools Depends on Energy [Bld Energy in buildings](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_buildings/) Industries [Software and IT services](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/software_it/)[Finance: banking, insurance, markets](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/finance/)**Examples:** Kuehne+Nagel, DSV, DHL Global Forwarding, Allcargo Logistics **3PL warehouse and contract-logistics operators**2 · Supporting Run warehouses, packing and distribution for manufacturers and retailers under multi-year contracts.^[8](https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2025/nov/doc20251127708001.pdf) **Why supporting:** Many operators compete; moving a contract takes a few months but rarely stops the chain. Technologies Warehouse management systems Automated storage and sortation Barcode and RFID Electric forklifts Depends on Commodities [St Steel](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/steel/)[Tm Timber](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/lumber/) Chemicals [LLDPE Polyethylene (LDPE, LLDPE)](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polyethylene/) Energy [Dist Distribution grids, mini-grids and interconnectors](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_distribution/)[LFP Lithium iron phosphate batteries](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_li_lfp/) Industries [Paper and packaging](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/paper_packaging/)[Real estate](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/real_estate/)**Examples:** Mahindra Logistics, TVS Supply Chain Solutions, DHL Supply Chain, GXO Logistics **Pallet, packaging and handling-supplies vendors**1 · Commodity service Supply pallets, corrugated boxes, stretch film, straps and dunnage that protect freight in transit and storage.^[8](https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2025/nov/doc20251127708001.pdf) **Why commodity service:** Many local suppliers make standard items, so carriers and warehouses switch within days. Technologies Pallet pooling and rental Corrugated box making Stretch-wrapping machines Depends on Commodities [Tm Timber](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/lumber/) Chemicals [LLDPE Polyethylene (LDPE, LLDPE)](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polyethylene/)[PP Polypropylene](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polypropylene/) Energy [HI Energy-intensive industry](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_heavy_industry/) Industries [Paper and packaging](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/paper_packaging/)[Wood products](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/wood_products/)**Examples:** CHEP (Brambles), TCPL Packaging, Smurfit Westrock **Logistics software, tracking and data platforms**3 · Important Supply transport and warehouse management software, real-time tracking and national data exchanges that connect shippers, carriers and authorities.^[8](https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2025/nov/doc20251127708001.pdf) **Why important:** Several vendors compete, but swapping a core TMS or WMS takes months of integration. Technologies Transport management systems IoT trackers and telematics Route optimisation Unified Logistics Interface Platform (ULIP) APIs Depends on Commodities [Cu Copper](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/copper/) Energy [DC Data centres](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_data_centres/) Industries [Computers and electronics](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/computers_electronics/)[Software and IT services](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/software_it/)**Examples:** SAP, Oracle, project44, Locus Stage 5 **Last-mile deliveryExpress parcel and last-mile delivery companies**2 · Supporting Sort and deliver parcels to homes and shops for ecommerce sellers and businesses, the customer-facing end of the chain.^[8](https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2025/nov/doc20251127708001.pdf) **Why supporting:** Several national networks and many regional ones compete, and large shippers split volumes across them. Technologies Automated parcel sorters Rider apps and route optimisation Electric two- and three-wheelers Cash-on-delivery reconciliation Depends on Commodities [Li Lithium](https://www.materialinsights.org/commodities/lithium/) Chemicals [LLDPE Polyethylene (LDPE, LLDPE)](https://www.materialinsights.org/chemicals/polyethylene/) Energy [EV Electric and hybrid vehicles](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_evs/)[ICV Combustion road vehicles](https://www.materialinsights.org/energy/e_road_ice/) Industries [Vehicles, ships, rail, aircraft](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/vehicles/)[Paper and packaging](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/paper_packaging/)[Computers and electronics](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/computers_electronics/)**Examples:** Delhivery, India Post, Shadowfax, Xpressbees ## Other sections - [Overview](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/transport_logistics/index.md) - [Where ₹100 goes](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/transport_logistics/cost-mix/index.md) - [Price links with suppliers](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/transport_logistics/price-links/index.md) - [Example story](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/transport_logistics/story/index.md) - [Linked industries](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/transport_logistics/linked-industries/index.md) - [Materials drawn on](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/transport_logistics/materials/index.md) - [Chokepoints and risks](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/transport_logistics/risks/index.md) - [Sources](https://www.materialinsights.org/industries/transport_logistics/sources/index.md)