The Current State and Development Trends of the Smart Logistics Industry
Release date:
2022-03-23
Author:
Jinhua Logistics
Smart logistics leverages scientifically sound and rational management practices to achieve automation, controllability, intelligence, and networking in the logistics process. With the continuous advancement of information technology and the support of national policies, realizing smart logistics while simultaneously enhancing resource utilization and managerial expertise has become the overarching strategic direction for China’s modern logistics sector.
Smart logistics leverages scientifically sound and rational management practices to achieve automation, controllability, intelligence, and networking in the logistics process. With the continuous advancement of information technology and the support of national policies, realizing smart logistics while simultaneously enhancing resource utilization and managerial expertise has become the overarching strategic direction for China’s modern logistics sector.
Technological Environment
1 ) Smart warehousing is accelerating its implementation, RFID Technology enhances the level of logistics digitalization.
As 5G With the widespread adoption of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things, warehousing systems are increasingly evolving toward digitalization and intelligent operations. To reduce storage costs, enhance operational efficiency, and strengthen warehouse management capabilities, major enterprises are ramping up research, development, and deployment of smart warehousing solutions. Among these… RFID Technology is a critical component of smart warehousing, and its implementation has elevated the level of logistics digitalization.
( 2 ) Digital twins empower supply chain management, enhancing the level of logistics and supply chain operations.
Backed by big data, digital twins have established close links across five major logistics domains—such as warehouse management and packaging‑equipment management—enabling end-to-end lifecycle tracking of physical products and services. At the same time, this technology enhances logistics efficiency, reduces logistics costs, and supports data‑driven intelligent management and decision‑making, thereby accelerating the advancement of logistics and supply‑chain management.
Industry Status Quo
1 The logistics internet is gradually taking shape.
In recent years, with the rapid development of the mobile internet, a vast array of logistics facilities have been connected to the network via sensors. At present, more than several million heavy-duty trucks in China are equipped with Beidou positioning devices, and numerous pallets, containers, warehouses, and shipments have also been brought online. Logistics connectivity is experiencing rapid growth, driven by the interconnection of information and infrastructure, which in turn fuels broader logistics integration. “ Logistics digitization ” It has laid the groundwork for smart logistics.
2 Logistics big data has been put into practical use.
The digitalization of logistics generates vast amounts of operational data, turning the concept of big logistics data into a reality. Data‑driven business models are driving intelligent transformation across the industry and significantly boosting productivity. By processing and analyzing this logistics‑related big data to extract insights that inform enterprise operations and management, companies can make more informed and rational decisions—meeting a widespread need among logistics firms. Typical use cases include data sharing, sales forecasting, network planning, inventory optimization, and industry‑level insights.
3 Logistics cloud services strengthen safeguards.
Leveraging big data and cloud computing capabilities, efficiently integrating, managing, and orchestrating resources through a logistics cloud, while providing on-demand information systems and algorithmic services to all stakeholders, constitutes the core requirement of smart logistics. The application of logistics cloud services offers critical support for logistics‑related big data. “ Business Datafication ” It is becoming an important foundation for smart logistics.
4 , Collaborative Sharing to Drive Model Innovation
The core of smart logistics is “ Collaborative Sharing ” This is the conceptual foundation that distinguishes the information society from traditional society and unleashes its greatest innovative potential. By sharing usage rights rather than ownership, the principle of collaboration and sharing transcends conventional corporate boundaries, deepens division of labor and cooperation among enterprises, and facilitates the socialization of existing resources while maximizing the utilization of idle assets.
In recent years, “ Internet +” Logistics services have become a quintessential embodiment of the collaborative‑sharing paradigm. By leveraging internet technologies and digital thinking, they are fostering deep integration between the internet and the logistics sector, reshaping industry development models and division‑of‑labor frameworks, and providing strategic guidance for the transformation of logistics enterprises. Typical scenarios include: the internet… + Efficient transportation, the internet + Smart warehousing, the Internet + Convenient delivery and the internet + Smart terminals, etc.
5 Artificial intelligence is just getting started.
Logistics technology services, spearheaded by artificial intelligence, represent a pressing practical need for logistics enterprises seeking to achieve high efficiency and low costs through the application of information‑based, automated, and intelligent technologies. In particular, AI empowers every link and domain within the logistics chain, enabling smart allocation of resources, intelligent optimization of operational processes, and enhanced overall efficiency. Notably, in cutting‑edge AI‑driven areas such as autonomous driving, unmanned warehousing, last‑mile delivery without human intervention, and logistics robots, a number of industry leaders have already launched pilot projects, positioning them to compete on an equal footing with international e‑commerce and logistics players.
Development trend
1 Logistics for bulk commodities is expected to become a key driver of smart logistics development.
In recent years, compared with e‑commerce and express delivery logistics, the logistics sector for production materials—particularly bulk commodities—has faced challenges such as relatively slow growth, limited industry attention, and outdated logistics technologies.
However, with over a thousand types of bulk commodities, this sector serves as the cornerstone of the national economy and is closely tied to both economic development and people’s livelihoods. Therefore, expanding the growth potential and scope of bulk‑commodity logistics and steering it toward smart‑logistics solutions represent an inevitable trend—not only for the future of bulk‑commodity logistics but also for the broader evolution of smart logistics.
2 , Building an end-to-end digital smart logistics system based on green and low-carbon principles
With the rapid growth of China’s logistics sector, the trajectory of smart logistics is shifting from point‑based informationization toward end‑to‑end digitalization. At the same time, given the strong correlation between rising carbon emissions and the expansion of logistics operations, it is essential to integrate principles such as sustainable development, green logistics, and low‑carbon emissions into every stage of this digital transformation. While enhancing the efficiency of supply‑chain resources, it is also crucial to continuously monitor and mitigate the environmental impacts of carbon emissions.
3 Smart logistics still requires further refinement across multiple dimensions, and the development of new, efficient logistics models is essential.
At present, high intelligence, full coverage, and high flexibility represent the future direction of the smart logistics industry. However, China’s smart logistics sector still faces challenges such as insufficient government support, an imperfect regulatory framework, limited adoption of advanced technologies, and a shortage of specialized talent. To further mature the smart logistics ecosystem, it is essential to put forward targeted recommendations across multiple dimensions—including strategic direction, talent development, and policy support—so as to foster the sector’s sound and sustainable growth.
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