The result is part of the 2024 edition of the 'Profile of Logistics Operators', a study promoted by ABOL. Among the news, information about how these companies deal with topics such as decarbonization and port and airport infrastructure. Revenue, investment, innovation, and job creation data were also mapped.
With significant improvement, the Logistics Operators (LOs) active in Brazil recorded an Operating Gross Revenue (OGR) of R$192 billion in 2023, approximately 15% more than in 2021, the last time the amount was measured, which was R$166 billion. The current amount is equivalent to almost 2% of GDP and 17% of the country's transportation and storage costs, totaling R$1.1 trillion. 76% of companies reported an increase in revenue.
These and other figures are part of the 2024 edition of the 'Logistics Operators Profile,' a study conducted every two years since 2014 by the Brazilian Association of Logistics Operators (ABOL) and commissioned to the Institute of Logistics and Supply Chain (ILOS). The material analyzes the performance of operators and also reveals details about the importance, evolution, challenges, and aspirations of the sector.
Among the news, there are details about the decarbonization journey of the companies and their perception of Brazilian port and airport infrastructure. Data on revenue, investments, innovation, and job creation are part of the mapping and have shown growth.
The survey estimated a universe of 1,300 companies, of small, medium, and large sizes, that met certain pre-established requirements, such as the National Classification of Economic Activities (CNAE) and the services offered. Of these, 127 operators, including those associated with ABOL, directly contributed to the material. Together, they account for 40% of the sector's revenue.
Collection, work and investments
During the period, OLs collected R$ 43 billion in taxes. Compared to the total taxes collected in Brazil, OLs were responsible for 0.5%, 1.1%, and 0.7% of the maximum collected by municipal, state, and federal levels, respectively. Furthermore, they were responsible for approximately 2.3 million direct and indirect jobs, most of which were under the CLT regime, last year.
“The data collected reinforces the relevance of logistics operators not only for the continuous evolution of the service modality in Brazil, but also for the development of the national economy. This representativeness is evident in the face of investments made in 2023, which reached R$20 billion”, highlights the executive director of ABOL, Marcella Cunha.
In 2023, 68% of OLs advanced in investments compared to the volume injected in 2022. In 2021, the percentage was 59% compared to the previous year. The focus of the OLs was on the software (83%).
Infrastructure works received capital from 78% of responding operators and rank second in the investment ranking. Soon after, the acquisition of new machines or equipment follows, at 69%.
Among the new projects, the OLs felt the impact of the increase in fuel prices in 2023, also observed in the previous edition. Other significant additional expenses included: labor, equipment, and road transportation, all with a considered increase of medium or high level by more than 60% of operators. Overall, 75% did not pass on the increase in costs to the service value.
“It is not new that OLs have been avoiding the rise in fuel prices, which always represent a significant portion of their operating costs, and have been seeking alternatives to avoid major losses. When it comes to investments, constant technological evolution has a direct impact, since operators need to keep up with trends, increasing productivity and maintaining competitiveness,” highlights Marcella.
Decarbonization
With attention focused on mitigating the impacts of their operations on the environment, given a scenario in which 13% of greenhouse gas emissions are caused by the transportation sector, 94% of Logistics Operators already have a department responsible for issues related to sustainability.
The OLs with the greatest progress in this issue (39%) have clear goals and objectives, and the responsible area has a defined budget. Another 23% also already have a sector with indicators, but still without a budgetary definition.
When it comes to decarbonization, the average target for reducing the carbon footprint is 37% within eight years. For companies seeking to reduce by 100%, the timeframe would be between 20 and 26 years. The compliance with the stipulated periods is aligned with initiatives such as reducing the average fleet age (55%), optimizing the logistics network (47%), and routing (47%). Among the measures already adopted are the use of electric vehicles and renewable energy, with 41% and 53% of companies investing in these solutions, respectively.
The search for other fuel sources is also part of the OLs' plans within the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) premise. Electricity for vehicles, as indicated by 39% of the surveyed companies, was the preferred choice. Other sources in use are ethanol (33%) and CNG (26%). Both have low levels of carbon emissions and a greater number of refueling points spread across the country.
There is still biogas, green diesel, liquefied natural gas, and green hydrogen, used by less than 10% of operators, but with great potential to develop in the medium and long term. Most of the OLs (63%) stated that they fully absorb the costs for emission reductions, without passing any of these costs onto the final price of their services.
“ABOL has been actively participating in this process through the ESG group, which has been developing important actions and projects for almost 3 years to directly contribute to the decarbonization journey of each member, since we realized that the OLs were at different stages of maturity. We managed to get them all on the same page by building their materiality matrix and emissions inventory. Now, they know exactly what problems and challenges they must face when it comes to ESG and, in particular, GHG emissions. Together, we seek the best solutions and offer subsidies so that they can decide which path to follow. By December, for example, we will deliver to the affiliates the pilot project 'Inventory of Emissions of ABOL Members'. We are also closely monitoring the regulation of the Brazilian 'Carbon Market', which is being processed in the National Congress, as well as the 'Fuels of the Future Bill', which encourages the development of less polluting technologies and alternatives”, reports the director.
Scope
Where are the logistics operators operating on domestic soil? Of the total OLs, 47% operate in all five Brazilian regions simultaneously and 40% have international participation, revealing an increase over the past few years in the regional presence of companies. In 2022, 37% were present in all Brazilian regions. Since the 2020 edition of the survey, the increases were from 25% to 51% in the North, from 43% to 69% in the Northeast, from 37% to 70% in the Midwest, from 63% to 76% in the South, and from 92% to 94% in the Southeast.
The largest companies are those with greater geographical coverage: 81% of them are present in all regions. On the other hand, smaller OLs are those with a more regional focus, with many positioning themselves as specialists in local markets. On average, each operates 19 facilities, such as warehouses, distribution centers, transit points, and cross-docking. However, 64% of the survey participants assured that they are increasing this number.
Industries served
With the increase in the geographical position of OLs, the segments of the economy served also grew. In 2024, the survey revealed that operators work in more than 20 different sectors, positioning themselves at various points in the supply chain. Each has, on average, clients from nine different industries. At the top of the list is the beverage sector, with 72%, a 14% increase compared to 2022. Next, Automotive and Auto Parts appear, with 70% and a 13% expansion in the last two years. In third place are cosmetics, with 66% and an increase of 2%.
Port and airport infrastructure
The 2024 edition of the 'Logistics Operators Profile' presents, for the first time, a more in-depth positioning of companies regarding the country's port and airport infrastructures. In the case of ports, operators believe that structural improvements are necessary, so only 18% do not identify logistical bottlenecks in operations.
The OLs also highlighted the existence of potential opportunities for improvement in airport infrastructure for cargo transportation. The survey reveals that 26% observe a lack of availability for cargo at Brazilian airports. When analyzing domestic air routes, of the 46% operating in this mode, only 6% of respondents characterize them as excellent.
