Inside the Remarkable Rise of Amazon Freight

Amazon Freight: From Internal Solution to Europe-Wide Service

Amazon’s logistics network was born from necessity. As its e-commerce business grew, traditional partners couldn’t keep pace, pushing Amazon to build its own systems, technology, and assets. Today, through Amazon Freight, the company is opening that expertise to businesses across Europe.

Launched in 2019, Amazon Freight allows external shippers – whether they sell on Amazon or not – to use its extensive pan-European network of 400+ facilities. "We’ve built technology and bought assets that we’re now looking to share with customers," says Chris Roe, Managing Director.

The service reflects Amazon’s customer-first approach. “We want to be the most trusted freight partner,” adds Strategy Lead Brianne McCarthy. This includes leveraging AI and machine learning for real-time pricing and smarter operations.

Amazon’s vast supplier base forced it to master complex inbound shipping challenges. Unlike traditional retailers, Amazon manages tens of millions of products from thousands of suppliers. This experience, combined with pan-European expertise, is now helping external businesses expand across borders.

Sustainability is another key focus. Amazon is targeting net-zero carbon by 2040, investing in battery-electric trucks, exploring intermodal transport, and even open-sourcing its charging infrastructure planning tool.

Customers range from small firms with occasional shipments to multinationals with complex supply chains. Currently active in the UK and Germany, Amazon Freight is expanding into France, Italy, and Spain.

Looking ahead, Roe sees potential in connecting supply chains to reduce costs and emissions. With one in three trucks in the Netherlands running empty, the opportunity is huge: "If we can match the data of different supply chains, we will lower costs, increase sustainability, and take more trucks off the road."

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