International

Uk emerges as a key player in global project logistics M&A activity in 2025

Thursday, 30 October 2025 5:03AM UTC

The United Kingdom secures a top three position in international project logistics mergers and acquisitions, leveraging its strategic finance and consultancy expertise amid increasing global consolidation and digital integration trends in 2025.

The United Kingdom holds a prominent position in the global project logistics sector, not necessarily through physical execution, but as a powerhouse in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) related to this complex field. Analysis covering the period from 2020 to 2025 shows that the UK ranks among the top three countries worldwide for project logistics M&A activity, with seven notable deals. This distinction is attributed to the UK's longstanding role as a strategic and financial hub for coordinating, financing, and managing large-scale multinational logistics projects.

Project logistics entails the movement of oversized, heavy, or high-value cargo essential to industrial and infrastructure developments. Unlike Germany and the Netherlands, which specialise mainly in heavy-lift operations, the UK excels in providing engineering consultancy, project coordination, and financial oversight across multiple regions. London-based logistics firms, consultancies, and financial institutions have been pivotal in structuring and overseeing international infrastructure projects, particularly in sectors where cross-border cooperation is vital — such as energy, offshore, and renewables.

Strategically, the UK benefits from its connectivity to transatlantic and Middle Eastern markets, frequently serving as a bridge for logistics operators coordinating projects involving European engineering companies, U.S. investors, and Gulf-region construction clients. This positioning allows British forwarders and project specialists to maintain considerable influence in global infrastructure projects, even as domestic infrastructure investment remains relatively modest. Consequently, the UK’s expertise in planning, finance, and international operations continues to offer a competitive edge in technically demanding, high-value global projects.

Broader industry data supports a trend of growing consolidation within the logistics and supply chain sectors, driven by strategic challenges such as rising costs and supply chain disruptions. M&A activity saw a slight increase in the second quarter of 2025, with 21 transactions completed compared to 18 in the previous quarter. However, the total number of deals for the first half of 2025 (39) remained below that of the second half of 2024 (46). Notably, over 40% of these transactions were cross-border, demonstrating the inherently international nature of logistics consolidation. Furthermore, about 90% of deals were trade-related, and more than a third involved tech-enabled companies, underscoring the growing emphasis on digital capabilities and integration in logistics services.

This consolidation—particularly visible in Europe—is propelled by demand for integrated, multimodal logistics services capable of handling complex industrial cargo movements across borders. Germany led European project logistics M&A with 11 deals, followed by the United States with eight, and the United Kingdom with seven, according to recent industry analysis. Private equity firms and strategic buyers have shown particular interest in scalable operations and infrastructure assets that boast strong digital foundations, as the industry prepares for future growth and evolving market demands.

The UK's strong financial and advisory sectors, combined with its strategic location and expertise, mean it plays a central role in international project logistics despite having a smaller physical capacity than some continental neighbours. This is reflected in past industry reports highlighting the UK's resilience and potential for further strategic consolidation in logistics—a sector poised for transformation even amidst the challenges presented by global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical uncertainties. British logistics firms continue to leverage their competence in coordination, engineering, and finance to maintain their status as leading players in the global logistics ecosystem.

📌 Reference Map:

Paragraph 1 – ^[1] (Trans.info)
Paragraph 2 – ^[1] (Trans.info)
Paragraph 3 – ^[1] (Trans.info)
Paragraph 4 – ^[2] (Accountancy Today), ^[4] (Insider Media), ^[6] (East Midlands Business Link)
Paragraph 5 – ^[1] (Trans.info), ^[5] (Investec Business Advisory)
Paragraph 6 – ^[1] (Trans.info), ^[3] (Logistics UK), ^[5] (Investec Business Advisory)

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://trans.info/en/global-project-logistics-434638 - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.accountancytoday.co.uk/2025/08/11/logistics-and-supply-chain-deals-drive-ma-activity-in-q2/ - In the second quarter of 2025, the logistics and supply chain sector experienced a slight increase in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) activity, with 21 transactions completed between April and June, up from 18 in the first quarter. However, the total number of deals in the first half of 2025 (39) was lower than in the second half of 2024 (46). Notably, over 40% of these deals were cross-border, and 90% were trade-related, with more than a third involving tech-enabled businesses. This consolidation trend reflects the industry's focus on strengthening core propositions amid operational and strategic challenges. ([accountancytoday.co.uk](https://www.accountancytoday.co.uk/2025/08/11/logistics-and-supply-chain-deals-drive-ma-activity-in-q2/?utm_source=openai))
https://logistics.org.uk/media/press-releases/2020/september-2020/logistics-uk-cbw-launch-mergers-and-acquisitions-r - In October 2020, Logistics UK, in partnership with Carter Backer Winter LLP (CBW), launched the 'UK Logistics Sector M&A Index 2020' report. Despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic and uncertainties surrounding the UK's future relationship with the EU, the report indicated that the logistics sector was poised for significant change. It highlighted the industry's resilience and the potential for strategic consolidation over the next 12 months, aiming to provide businesses with insights into expected M&A trends and valuations. ([logistics.org.uk](https://logistics.org.uk/media/press-releases/2020/september-2020/logistics-uk-cbw-launch-mergers-and-acquisitions-r?utm_source=openai))
https://www.insidermedia.com/news/south-westnational/consolidation-driving-ma-activity-in-logistics-sector-report - A report from August 2025 highlighted that consolidation in the logistics and supply chain market continued to drive M&A activity, with 21 transactions completed in the second quarter of 2025, up from 18 in the first quarter. The report noted that over 40% of these deals were cross-border, and 90% were trade-related, with more than a third involving tech-enabled businesses. This trend underscores the industry's focus on strategic consolidation to enhance efficiency amid rising costs and supply chain disruptions. ([insidermedia.com](https://www.insidermedia.com/news/south-westnational/consolidation-driving-ma-activity-in-logistics-sector-report?utm_source=openai))
https://www.investec.com/advisory/nl/european-transport-logistics-ma-market-update-2025/ - An April 2025 report by Investec Business Advisory detailed robust M&A activity in the European transport and logistics sector, with approximately 1,250 transactions recorded between 2020 and 2024. The UK, along with France and the Nordics, led in deal volume. The report emphasized that market consolidation was driven by strategic buyers and private equity investors, particularly in logistics execution, services, and infrastructure. Companies with scalable operations and strong digital capabilities were valued more highly, as investors prioritized assets well-prepared for future growth. ([investec.com](https://www.investec.com/advisory/nl/european-transport-logistics-ma-market-update-2025/?utm_source=openai))
https://www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk/mag/featured/cross-border-logistics-deals-boost-ma-activity-in-q2-2025/ - In August 2025, a report indicated that M&A activity in the logistics and supply chain sectors saw modest growth in Q2 2025, with 21 deals completed between April and June, an increase from 18 in Q1. The report highlighted that over 40% of these deals were cross-border, with 90% being trade-related and more than a third involving tech-enabled companies. This consolidation trend reflects the industry's focus on enhancing efficiency amid rising costs and supply chain disruptions. ([eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk](https://www.eastmidlandsbusinesslink.co.uk/mag/featured/cross-border-logistics-deals-boost-ma-activity-in-q2-2025/?utm_source=openai))

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 7

Notes: The narrative presents recent data on the UK's position in global project logistics M&A activity, with specific figures from 2020 to 2025. The earliest known publication date of similar content is from 2024, indicating that the core information is relatively fresh. However, the report's reliance on a press release from Trans.info suggests that the content may be recycled, as press releases are often disseminated across multiple platforms. Additionally, the narrative includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. The inclusion of updated data may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. ([rpgcrouchchapman.co.uk](https://www.rpgcrouchchapman.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/MA-2025-Insights-report-UK-logistics.pdf?utm_source=openai))

Quotes check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative includes direct quotes from industry professionals, such as Andrew Preston and Gregg Titley. A search for the earliest known usage of these quotes indicates that they have not appeared in earlier material, suggesting that the quotes are original or exclusive. This originality enhances the credibility of the report.

Source reliability

Score: 6

Notes: The narrative originates from Trans.info, a platform that aggregates content from various sources. While Trans.info provides valuable industry insights, its reliance on press releases and aggregated content raises questions about the originality and depth of the reporting. The use of a press release as the primary source suggests that the content may be recycled, as press releases are often disseminated across multiple platforms. This reliance on aggregated content and press releases may affect the overall reliability of the report.

Plausability check

Score: 7

Notes: The narrative presents plausible claims about the UK's role in global project logistics M&A activity, supported by specific figures and quotes from industry professionals. However, the lack of supporting detail from other reputable outlets and the reliance on a press release as the primary source raise concerns about the depth and verification of the information. The absence of corroborating sources and the use of aggregated content may affect the overall plausibility of the report.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary: The report provides specific figures and quotes regarding the UK's position in global project logistics M&A activity, suggesting a degree of originality and freshness. However, the reliance on a press release from Trans.info and the lack of supporting detail from other reputable outlets raise concerns about the depth and verification of the information. The absence of corroborating sources and the use of aggregated content may affect the overall reliability and plausibility of the report.

UK
project logistics
M&A
global infrastructure
transport