The result is part of the 2024 edition of the ‘Profile of Logistics Operators’, a study promoted by Abol. Among the novelties, information on how these companies deal with topics such as decarbonization and port and airport infrastructure. Billing data, investments, innovation and job creation were also mapped.
With significant improvement, the logistics operators (OLS) operating in Brazil registered, in 2023, gross operating revenue (ROB) of R$192 billion, around 15% more than the one verified in 2021, the last time the amount was calculated and was in R$166 billion. The current value is equivalent to almost 2% of GDP and 17% of the country's transport and storage costs, which add up to R$1.1 trillion. 76% of the companies reported an increase in revenue.
These and other numbers are part of the 2024 edition of the ‘Perfil of Logistics Operators’, a study promoted since 2014, every two years, by the Brazilian Association of Logistics Operators (Abol) and commissioned from the Institute of Logistics and Supply Chain (ILOS). The material analyzes the performance of the operators and also reveals details about the importance, evolution, challenges and desires of the sector.
Among the novelties are information about the companies' decarbonization journey and their perception of Brazilian port and airport infrastructure. Data on billing, investments, innovation and job creation follow part of the mapping and demonstrated growth.
The survey estimated a universe of 1,300 companies, small, medium and large, that met the prerequisites determined, such as the National Classification of Economic Activities (CNAE) and services offered. Of this, 127 operators, among them, those associated with Abol, collaborated directly with the material. Together, they represent 40% of the sector's revenue.
collection, work and investments
In the period, OLs collected R$ 43 billion in taxes. When compared to the total taxes collected in Brazil, the OLs were responsible for 0.5%, 1.1% and 0.7% of the maximum collected by the municipal, state and federal spheres, respectively. In addition, they were responsible for about 2.3 million direct and indirect jobs, the majority being in the CLT regime last year.
“ The data obtained reinforce 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 representation is evident in the face of the investments made in 2023, which reached R$20 billion”, highlights the executive director of Abol, Marcella Cunha.
In 2023, OLs 68% advanced in investments compared to the volume injected in 2022. In 2021, the percentage was 59% compared to the previous year. The focus of OLS was on software (83%).
The infrastructure works received capital of 78% from the respondent operators and appear in second place in the ranking of contributions. Soon after comes the acquisition of new machines or equipment, for 69%.
Amidst the new projects, the OLs felt the impact of the increase in the fuel price in 2023, also seen in the previous edition. Other expenses with relevant additions were: labor, equipment and road transport, all with an increase considered medium or high by more than 60% of the operators. Overall, 75% did not pass on the rise in costs to the service value.
“It is not new that OLS dribble the rise in fuel, which always represents a significant portion of their operating costs, and have been looking for alternatives to avoid major losses. When it comes to investments, the constant technological evolution has a direct impact, since operators need to follow trends, increasing productivity and maintaining competitiveness”, emphasizes Marcella.
decarbonization
With the attention focused on mitigating the impacts of its operations on the environment, given a scenario in which 13% of greenhouse gas emissions are carried out by the transport sector, 94% of logistics operators already have a department responsible for issues related to sustainability.
The OLs with the greatest advance in this issue (39%) have clear goals and objectives and the responsible area has a defined budget. Another 23% also already has a sector with indicators, but still without a budget definition.
When it comes to decarbonisation, the average carbon footprint reduction objective is 37% in up to eight years. For companies looking to decrease by 100%, the term would be between 20 and 26 years. Compliance with the stipulated periods is aligned with initiatives such as reducing the average age of the fleet (55%), optimization of the logistics network (47%) and routing (47%). Among the measures already adopted are the use of electric vehicles and the use of renewable energy, with 41% and 53% of companies betting on these solutions, respectively.
The search for other fuel sources is also part of the OLS's plans within the ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) premise. Electricity for vehicles, as pointed out by 39% of the companies consulted, had the preference. Other sources in use are ethanol (33%) and CNG (26%). Both have low levels of carbon emissions and a greater number of supply points scattered across the country.
There is also biogas, green diesel, liquefied natural gas and green hydrogen, used for less than 10% of operators, but with great potential to develop in the medium and long term. Most OLs (63%) stated that it fully absorbs costs to reduce emissions, without any kind of transfer to the final price of their services.
“ Abol has actively participated in this process through the ESG Group, which for almost 3 years has been developing and important actions and projects to contribute directly to the decarbonization journey of each member, since we realized that the OLs were in different stages of maturity. We managed to get them all to level up from the construction of their materiality matrix and emission 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 way to go. Until December, for example, we will deliver to the affiliates the pilot project ‘Inventory of Emissions of Associates of Abol’. We also closely follow the regulation of the Brazilian ‘carbon market’, pending in the National Congress, as well as the ‘Pl dos Fuels do Futuro’, which encourages the development of technologies and less polluting alternatives”, reports the director.
scope
Where are the logistics operators operating on national soil? Of the total OLS, 47% operates in the five Brazilian regions at the same time and 40% has an international participation, revealing an increase over the last few years in the regional performance of companies. In 2022, 37% were present in all Brazilian regions. Since the 2020 edition of the survey, the highs went 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 a higher geographic coverage: 81% of them are present in all regions. On the other hand, smaller OLs are those with more regional operations, with a good part positioning themselves as specialists in local markets. On average, each one operates 19 facilities, such as sheds, CDs, transit points and cross docking. However, 64% of the research participants ensured that they are increasing this number.
industries served
With the increase in the geographical position of the OLs, the segments of the economy served also grew. In 2024, the survey revealed that operators operate in more than 20 different sectors, positioning themselves in different links in the supply chain. Each one has, on average, customers from nine different industries. At the top of the list is the beverage sector, with 72%, up 14% compared to 2022. Then, automotive and auto parts appear, with 70% and expansion of 13% in the last two years. In third position are cosmetics, with 66% and 2% elevation.
Port and airport infrastructure
The 2024 edition of the ‘Perfil of Logistic Operators’ brings, for the first time, the slightly more in-depth position of companies in relation to the country's port and airport infrastructure. In the case of ports, operators understand that structural improvements are necessary, so that only 18% do not point to logistical bottlenecks in operations.
The OLS also highlighted the existence of potential opportunities for improvement in the airport infrastructure for cargo transport. The survey reveals that 26% observes a lack of availability for cargo at Brazilian airports. When analyzing the domestic air routes of the 46% that act in this modal, only 6% of the interviewees characterize them as excellent.
