How ebb Logistics helps Parcel Shippers Act on Tusk’s Benchmark Findings

A Market at a Breaking Point

The 2025 Alternative Carrier Benchmark Report from Tusk Logistics confirms what many shipping leaders already feel: the parcel ecosystem is strained—costs keep rising, visibility is limited, and national carriers remain dominant largely through inertia, not performance

Awareness of alternatives is high, but true adoption remains low. Nearly every shipper has heard of alternative carriers, yet fewer than 3% rely on them as a primary option. The gap isn’t knowledge—it’s trust.

What’s Driving the Change

• Rising costs are the top issue (65%).
• Missed/late deliveries affect 49% of shippers.
• Unpredictable surcharges/fees hit 31%.
• Trust is the biggest barrier to switching (76%).
• 89% say a centralized platform for tracking, claims, and rates would increase confidence.

(Findings summarized from the report’s survey of 600 logistics leaders.)

Meanwhile, market sizing shows alternative carriers gaining meaningful share and momentum—particularly in dense markets and peak seasons

Who’s Ready to Switch (and Who Isn’t)

Readiness varies by volume tier. High-volume shippers (100k+ parcels/month) feel the most pain but are the least likely to try new carriers; mid-volume shippers want proof and simpler integration; low-volume shippers are flexible but often lack the tools to manage a multi-carrier mix.

Overall, 90% know about alternatives and over 60% have tested one—yet only 12% have adopted.

The Trust Gap, Explained

Shippers aren’t loyal to legacy carriers—they’re cautious. Internal barriers include concerns about reliability, coverage, integration effort, and leadership approval. As one respondent put it: “We would move, if someone could prove it works.”

How ebb Logistics Helps Close the Trust Gap

1) Data-Backed Carrier Diversification

We audit your UPS/FedEx/DHL/USPS agreements to surface hidden costs (minimums, DIM, surcharges) and model savings with vetted regional/alternative carriers—so you can diversify without guesswork.

2) Risk-Controlled Transition Planning

We design phased rollouts with service-level benchmarks and claims expectations before any switch—minimizing operational disruption and protecting customer experience.

3) Stronger Negotiation Leverage

With real benchmarks and viable options in hand, you can renegotiate national contracts from a position of strength—lowering base rates, tightening surcharges, and improving terms.

4) Centralized Visibility (the Capability Shippers Want)

We help unify tracking, billing, and claims reporting across carriers—the kind of centralized control 89% of shippers say would make them more likely to adopt alternatives

The Bottom Line

The industry is primed for change. Alternative carriers are scaling, and shippers are ready—if trust and transparency come first. ebb Logistics turns insight into execution, helping you cut costs, diversify risk, and improve customer outcomes—on your timeline and terms.