New Data from 600 logistics leaders, and fresh market volume insights from Colography, reveals how fast alternatives are scaling and why control, visibility, and trust are the keys to unlocking change.

Shipping feels like a black box. National carriers dominate the market, but they leave you in the dark with rising costs, unpredictable service, and limited visibility. It’s no wonder most businesses are frustrated.

But here’s the reality: staying locked into the status quo is a choice. And the market is showing signs of change.

Our new 2025 Alternative Carrier Benchmark Report, based on insights from 600 logistics leaders, uncovers what’s holding businesses back, and why alternatives are quickly becoming the smartest move for shippers who want more control.

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Download the 2025 Alternative Carrier Benchmark Report

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Alternatives Are Growing, Fast

Despite lingering hesitation, alternative carriers are scaling in ways the market can’t ignore. New volume data from The Colography Group makes that clear:

✔️ Alternative carriers now handle nearly 4 million daily shipments
✔️ Their 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is +34.5%
✔️ National carriers? Flat or declining, with a -1.1% CAGR

The takeaway? The alternatives are proving they can deliver at scale. While the Big 3 consolidate, limit flexibility, and raise costs, alternatives are expanding coverage and building reliable networks to compete head-on.

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What’s Holding Businesses Back

Our survey shows nearly every shipper knows alternatives exist, and most have tested one. But hesitation remains:

✔️ 94% say they’re open to change
✔️ 89% want centralized tools for tracking, claims, and rates to make switching easier
✔️ 76% cite trust, not awareness, as the biggest barrier

It’s not that shippers love their current carriers. It’s that shipping touches every part of your customer experience. Making a change can be daunting, but staying put means higher costs, inconsistent service, and limited control.

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Why This Matters for Shippers

The 2025 Benchmark Report unpacks the full story. It shows what’s possible when alternatives work:

• How alternatives are gaining real market share
• What motivates businesses to adopt new carriers
• Why readiness to switch differs by business model and shipping volume
• What your peers are demanding: lower costs, faster delivery, more transparency

The shipping landscape is evolving. Alternatives are scaling. And the smartest businesses are already starting to diversify their carrier mix.

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Tusk is Closing the Trust Gap

At Tusk, we’re making it easier for businesses to take advantage of the alternative carrier ecosystem — with no trade-offs on reliability or control:

✔️ Nationwide delivery through one integration
✔️ Centralized tools for tracking, claims, and reporting
✔️ Transparent SLAs, pricing, and service levels

We’ve built the infrastructure shippers need to gain control — and trust — in their shipping network. The alternatives are ready. The data backs it up.

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The only question is: are you ready to take control?

‍Download the 2025 Alternative Carrier Benchmark Report

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