Kuehne+Nagel expects AI data center logistics growth to extend through 2029

Kuehne+Nagel anticipates continued robust growth in its technology and data center logistics business, projecting double-digit expansion through 2029. This forecast comes as major technology firms bolster spending on infrastructure supporting artificial intelligence development. Chief Executive Stefan Paul revealed that clients have furnished sufficient insight into equipment requirements to inform demand predictions for the period ranging from 2027 to 2029.

Among Kuehne+Nagel's clientele are six of the Magnificent Seven technology conglomerates. The logistics giant has expanded its services to encompass more than transportation, providing support in areas such as vendor management, customs clearance, and direct equipment delivery to data center locations. Kuehne+Nagel further solidified its position in this sector by signing a seven-year logistics pact with Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN).

The agreement, which has already generated hundreds of millions in business, may escalate to billions. It includes performance-based incentives and call options on Kuehne+Nagel shares. To safeguard against potential fluctuations in the economic value of these options, the company has hedged at a cost of several million dollars per quarter.

Amazon's share of the agreement's maximum value will remain below 3% of Kuehne+Nagel’s market capitalization. The demand for AI infrastructure has emerged as a burgeoning segment for freight companies, as data center construction demands substantial volumes of computing equipment and related hardware. AI-related goods constituted approximately 15% of global commerce in 2025, having surged to roughly 20% this year, based on Bloomberg's data.

Kuehne+Nagel's stock has appreciated by more than 30% in 2026, driven by resilient global trade and escalating demand related to data centers. The company is not the only entity pursuing this market opportunity; competitor DHL is likewise broadening its data center logistics operations as technology firms augment their computing capabilities.

In a recent development, Kuehne+Nagel also announced a collaboration with Chinese electric-vehicle battery manufacturer Contemporary Amperex Technology Co., or CATL.