Inland Water Freight Transport Market Report 2025

The inland water freight transport market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $20.08 billion in 2024 to $21.47 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to rising population, economic growth in emerging markets, the need for economical transportation for cargo, increase in investments.

The inland water freight transport market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $27.26 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to faster economic growth, growing demand for e-commerce, infrastructure advances and increasing investments. Major trends in the forecast period include investing in information technology platforms for better vessel management, adopting lean and green inland transportation, adopting partnerships and funding, using freight and fleet tracking and management systems, adopting terminal and port information and communication systems and investing in freight tracking systems.

The increasing demand for bulk transportation of goods is anticipated to drive the growth of the inland water freight transport market. Bulk transportation involves moving large quantities of goods or materials, and inland water freight transport is capable of handling significant volumes, making it an ideal choice for such needs. For instance, in July 2023, the UK-based public sector information website gov.uk reported that UK ports handled a total of 458.9 million tonnes of cargo in 2022, marking a 3% increase compared to 2021. Therefore, the rising demand for bulk transportation of goods is fueling the growth of the inland water freight transport market.

Economic considerations for cargo transportation have been a primary driver for the inland water freight transport market. Water freight is generally perceived as a cost-effective option for heavier cargo, with fare calculations often based on the cubic meter of the standard container. In comparison, other modes of transport, such as air transport, determine chargeable weight through a combination of size and cargo weight. The World Bank notes that in India, waterways offer a more economical means of transporting cargo, with lower costs compared to road and rail transport.

Major companies in the inland water freight transport market have begun freight activities aimed at improving operational efficiency, lowering transportation costs, and enhancing service reliability while addressing the increasing demand for sustainable logistics solutions. These initiatives also emphasize promoting tourism by improving access to water routes. By upgrading infrastructure for passenger vessels and recreational boating, the authority seeks to attract tourists and stimulate local economies. For example, in December 2023, the Andhra Pradesh Inland Waterways Authority, based in India, launched cargo transport initiatives to boost cargo movement and tourism through the development of inland waterways. This includes the initiation of operational Roll-on/Roll-off (Ro-Ro) services on National Waterway-4 (NW-4), specifically between Ibrahimpatnam and Lingayapalem on the Krishna River. This service primarily facilitates the transportation of stone chips for construction, demonstrating the potential for efficient cargo movement via inland waterways.

Companies in the inland water freight transport market are forming strategic partnerships to utilize inland waterways for package transport, thereby improving logistical efficiency, reducing roadway congestion, and providing a more sustainable cargo movement alternative, ultimately enhancing delivery times and customer satisfaction. This initiative aligns with global trends toward sustainable logistics. Water transport is recognized as one of the most environmentally friendly modes, consuming significantly less fuel compared to road and rail transport by 18.5% and 91.6%, respectively. For instance, in November 2023, Amazon Inc., a US-based e-commerce company, announced that Amazon India has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Inland Waterways Authority of India (IWAI), a government ministry in India, to facilitate the movement of containerized cargo along navigable inland waterways. This collaboration aims to establish a robust cargo shipment network. A pilot program is set to commence on the Patna-Kolkata water route, allowing Amazon to test and refine its logistics operations with this new mode of transport.

In November 2023, Astatine Investment Partners LLC, a US-based infrastructure investment firm, acquired McKeil Marine for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition aims to expand Astatine Investment Partners' portfolio by integrating McKeil Marine's expertise in inland water freight transport services. McKeil Marine Limited is a Canada-based company that provides inland water freight transport services.

Major companies operating in the inland water freight transport market include Ingram Barge, Kirby Inland Marine, CMA CGM Group, American Commercial Barge Line, Rhenus Group, Mckeil Marine Limited, Higman Barge Lines, Inc., American River Transportation, SCF Marine Inc., Limited Liability Company Fesco Integrated Transport, Sealion Cargo, The Ace Group Inc, Latin American Cargo - Lac, Consolidated Grain & Barge Company, Florida Progress Corporation, Acbl Holding Corporation, Ergon, Inc, American Commercial Lines, Inc., Abbey Sea S.A, Acsa S.R.L., Administracion General De Puerto De Buenos Aires, Argentina Cargo S.R.L, Trident Freight, United Arab Shipping Company (Uasc), Freight Systems, Gulftainer Company Limited.

Western Europe was the largest region in the inland water freight transport market in 2024. Asia-Pacific was the second largest region in the global inland water freight transport market share. The regions covered in the inland water freight transport market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the inland water freight transport market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Italy, Canada, Spain.

Inland water freight transportation refers to a mode of transportation over stretches of water, excluding sea routes, where crafts with a carrying capacity of at least 50 tons can navigate when normally loaded. This facilitates the inland water transportation of passengers and cargo on lakes, rivers, or intracoastal waterways.

The primary types of transportation in the inland water freight transport market include liquid bulk transportation and dry bulk transportation. Dry bulk transportation involves the shipment of dry raw materials in large, unpackaged parcels. It is further segmented by fuel types such as heavy fuel oil, diesel, biofuel, and others, and by vessel types including cargo ships, container ships, tankers, and others.

The inland water freight transport market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides inland water freight transport market statistics, including inland water freight transport industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an inland water freight transport market share, detailed inland water freight transport market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the inland water freight transport industry. This inland waterway freight transport market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

The inland freight water transport market includes revenues earned by entities by providing navigation as well as drainage, irrigation, water supply, and hydroelectric power generation. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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