Freight Forwarding Market Report 2025

The freight forwarding market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $207.1 billion in 2024 to $215.08 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to economic boom and supply chain optimization, customer demand for value-added services, infrastructure development in transport, integration of ERP systems, regulatory changes and trade agreement.

The freight forwarding market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $267.87 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to integration of AI and data analytics, expansion of global trade networks, e-commerce expansion and fulfilment services, emphasis on sustainable logistics, adoption of autonomous vehicles. Major trends in the forecast period include strategic partnerships and alliances, influence of global economic conditions, technological innovations in warehousing, demand for value-added services, intermodal transportation solutions.

The significant growth in international trade volumes is playing a crucial role in driving the expansion of the freight forwarding market. International trade involves the exchange of services and products between countries, offering consumers and nations exposure to goods and services that may not be available domestically or may be more expensive. Freight forwarders play a pivotal role in organizing the intermodal transportation of goods on behalf of shippers, and the increased volume of global trade acts as a catalyst for intensified freight forwarding activities. For example, according to the World Trade Organization, the volume of global merchandise trade witnessed an 8% increase in 2021. Therefore, the upward trajectory in international trade volumes is expected to be a driving force behind the growth of the freight forwarding market in the foreseeable future.

Growth in international trade volumes is a major factor contributing to the expansion of the freight forwarding market. International trade refers to the exchange of goods and services between countries. Global trading provides consumers and nations with access to products and services that may not be available or are more expensive in their own markets. Freight forwarders facilitate the intermodal transportation of goods on behalf of shippers, and an increase in trade volume will enhance freight forwarding activities. According to the World Trade Organization (WTO), an intergovernmental body that regulates and supports international trade, the world merchandise trade volume is expected to rise by 3.2% in 2024. Thus, the growth in international trade volumes is anticipated to drive the expansion of the freight forwarding market in the future.

The ongoing expansion of the e-commerce industry is expected to further propel the growth of the freight forwarding market. The e-commerce sector, or electronic commerce, involves the buying and selling of goods and services online. Freight forwarding within the e-commerce industry encompasses managing and coordinating the international shipment of products, which includes customs clearance, documentation, and transportation, ensuring efficient and timely deliveries for online retailers and their customers. For instance, in August 2023, Shopify Inc., a Canadian e-commerce company, projected that the global e-commerce sector would be valued at $6.3 trillion by 2023. This figure is expected to grow further, with online retail purchases projected to account for 21.2% of all retail sales by 2024. Therefore, the increasing growth of the e-commerce industry is driving the expansion of the freight forwarding market.

Major companies in the freight forwarding market are incorporating digital technology solutions to boost operational efficiency, enhance customer experience, and respond to evolving market demands. These digital technology solutions consist of various tools and platforms aimed at improving business processes and customer interactions. For example, in March 2024, DP World, a logistics company based in the UAE, launched a global freight forwarding network that focuses on integrating advanced digital solutions into its logistics operations. This initiative features more than 100 new offices worldwide, offering a comprehensive array of services, including order management, customs, and last-mile delivery.

In March 2024, Mediterranean Shipping Company, a transport and logistics firm headquartered in Switzerland, acquired Clasquin for an undisclosed sum. This strategic acquisition aims to strengthen MSC's position in the logistics and supply chain management sector, enabling the company to provide more comprehensive services to its clients. Clasquin is a logistics firm based in France that specializes in freight forwarding.

Major companies operating in the freight forwarding market include Savino Del Bene S.p.A., A.P. Moller-Maersk Group, CMA CGM Group, Deutsche Bahn AG, DSV Panalpina A/S, DHL Global Forwarding, C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc., Nippon Express Co. Ltd., Expeditors International of Washington Inc., Expeditors International of Washington Inc., Sinotrans Limited, GEODIS SA, Kuehne + Nagel International AG, Kerry Logistics Network Limited, Kerry Logistics Network Limited, UPS Supply Chain Solutions Inc., CJ Logistics Corporation, DACHSER SE, Bolloré Logistics, Bolloré Logistics, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics GmbH & Co. KG, Agility Public Warehousing Company K.S.C.P., Yusen Logistics Inc., Kintetsu World Express Inc., CTS International Logistics Corporation, LX Holding, Yusen Logistics Co. Ltd., Dimerco Express Group, Ceva Logistics LLC, Logisteed Co. Ltd., Seko Logistics.

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

Freight forwarding involves the planning, coordination, and facilitation of the shipment flow for the international movement of goods across borders. Freight forwarders manage tasks such as negotiating freight rates, handling customs documentation, tracking containers, and consolidating freight shipments.

The main services in freight forwarding encompass transportation and warehousing, packaging and documentation, insurance, and value-added services. Warehousing involves the storage of goods for future sale, and its connection with freight forwarding is integral as warehouses enhance the reliability of freight forwarding companies. Various logistics models, including first-party logistics, second-party logistics, and third-party logistics, operate across different modes of transport such as air, ocean, road, and rail freight forwarding. Customers in freight forwarding include B2B and B2C, and these services find applications in diverse sectors such as industrial and manufacturing, retail, healthcare, media and entertainment, military, oil and gas, food and beverages, among others.

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

The freight forwarding market includes revenues earned by entities by planning and coordinating of the movement of commodities across international borders. 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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