What are the trends in logistics for 2022?

In a world that is changing more and more rapidly, it is essential to be aware of new technologies, methodologies or changes that are occurring in the field, especially if they come from a gradually more demanding sector such as logistics. To this end, companies directly or indirectly related to the industry are attentive to the trends in logistics for 2022.

It is known that the pandemic has greatly affected the logistics sector, either because of the problems with transport vehicles or because of the constant growth of e-commerce due to mobility restrictions and confinement. Here are the most important trends in logistics for 2022:

Green or sustainable logistics

One of the biggest concerns in recent years is the great environmental impact that logistics has on CO₂ emissions, as they account for 27% of total emissions in Spain (MITECO, 2020).

To this end, they have mobilized to use technological tools to help them reduce carbon dioxide emissions and more environmentally friendly materials such as the following:

• Route optimizer
• Cargo bags to avoid empty kilometers
• Biodegradable packaging

More and more companies are looking to the future and opting for tools that help them to be more sustainable and reduce emissions that harm the planet.

Blockchain

Along with the high demands on delivery times, it is also very important to maintain the security of logistical data. Blockchain, or block data, is used to keep all the numbers in one place.

Apart from that, the blockchain makes sure to keep a real-time tracking of all logistic operations in order to plan processes in warehouses and vehicles.

Robotization and Automation

Among the trends in logistics for 2022, robotization and automation of operations stand out. They are intended to meet a level of streamlining operations within warehouses that are gradually becoming more demanding. As a result, more warehouses have already implemented or are considering automating processes.

Robotic Forklifts

Rather than replacing human workers, such robots are intended to assist warehouse personnel in storing, stocking and unloading products with the goal of minimizing performance limitations and human error.

Smart trucks

The transportation sector is known to have a high incidence of workplace accidents and, therefore, they have been researching for years the invention and creation of intelligent and automated vehicles that promise to greatly help the logistics sector.

These autonomous driving trucks can be driven and monitored remotely without the need for a driver behind the wheel in order to minimize accidents, optimize operations and increase road safety.

Drones

One of the biggest challenges in terms of logistics trends for 2022 is how to solve common problems in last-mile delivery due to increasing traffic restrictions in large cities.

Among the solutions employed to this problem, one of them is the use of drones, which are already capable of delivering packages weighing up to 3 kilos. However, they are still being tested and are proving to be very useful for shipments in the pharmaceutical sector.

Internet of things

It is obvious thanks to new technological advances that we live in an increasingly interconnected world. More than 90% of the Spanish population is connected to the internet and more than 97% own a smartphone (Source: Hootsuite, 2021). That is why the trends in logistics for 2022 also have relevance in our devices that are connected to the internet.

5G

One of the trends that has been the talk of the town in recent years is 5G networks, which will multiply the speed of data transmissions. As for the logistics and transport sector, given its growing demand for the implementation of quick commerce, it will be a great ally to meet a new demand.

In just a few clicks, businesses in other sectors will be able to order parts, place orders, authorize with their signature and receive them at a speed never before imagined. For warehouses and distribution centers, staff will be able to be in control and send large amounts of data without interruption, making operations much more streamlined.

Digital Professionalization

Seeing how the trends in logistics for 2022 are heavily focused on technology, it is not surprising to contemplate that to meet the growing demand to apply such technological advances, more and more specialized professionals in the industry will be needed.

AI

Elon Musk has already said that one of the most sought-after technological profiles for the coming years will be programmers and experts in Artificial Intelligence that can be integrated into other sectors to be applied and make important advances.

Therefore, logistics is not going to back down either and more companies are hiring AI experts to find different types of solutions. Some of the most sought-after resolutions for the logistics sector are inventory management in warehouses and transportation routes, based on actual data provided.

Big Data

Big Data is also growing in popularity because more and more data is fluctuating and it is difficult to handle a large amount of information. For this reason, Big Data can analyze and interpret this amount of data to be aware of what is happening and improve decision making.

Conclusion

Trends in logistics for 2022 point to conducting operations more efficiently thanks to new technologies along with being increasingly sustainable given the growing concern about global warming.

At Hedyla, to take logistics to the next level, we apply AI in our functionalities to streamline operations such as route optimizer and plan optimal strategies.