GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 24, 2026
Horizontal Logistics Partnerships
Horizontal logistics partnerships are voluntary alliances between companies at the same supply chain level – two freight forwarders or two contract logistics providers, for instance – that pool capacity, infrastructure, and data to pursue shared objectives.
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Source: https://www.inboundlogistics.com/cms/article/collaboration-in-supply-chains-horizontally-and-vertically/
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Horizontal logistics partnerships are voluntary alliances between companies at the same supply chain level – two freight forwarders or two contract logistics providers, for instance – that pool capacity, infrastructure, and data to pursue shared objectives. Typical outcomes include fewer empty runs, shared warehousing, and integrated IT platforms, which reduce unit costs and extend geographic reach without requiring a full merger. Unlike vertical integration, where partners operate at different chain levels, the parties here remain legally independent while collaborating operationally. Formal agreements define governance, service standards, and mechanisms for allocating savings or revenues. The model is particularly common in road freight and parcel delivery, where network density directly drives profitability.
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