Perishable Goods Sea Transportation Market Report 2026

The perishable goods sea transportation market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $2.2 billion in 2025 to $2.39 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of global food trade, increasing seafood export activities, growth in refrigerated container availability, rising demand for long-distance perishables transport, development of port cold chain infrastructure.

The perishable goods sea transportation market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $3.27 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing investments in smart shipping technologies, rising demand for traceable cold chain logistics, expansion of pharmaceutical sea transport, growing focus on reducing spoilage losses, increasing adoption of energy-efficient reefer vessels. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of refrigerated container shipping, rising demand for temperature-monitored sea transport, growing integration of smart reefer containers, expansion of global cold chain trade routes, enhanced focus on cargo quality preservation.

The increasing global demand for processed food is expected to drive the growth of the perishable goods sea transportation market in the coming years. Processed foods include products that have been modified from their natural state through methods such as washing, heating, pasteurization, canning, cooking, freezing, drying, dehydration, mixing, baking, or packaging. Perishable goods sea transportation is widely used to ship processed food products in refrigerated vessels equipped with advanced air circulation systems to maintain product freshness during transit. For example, in 2024, according to the US Foreign Agricultural Service, a US-based government agency, exports of processed food products from the United States were valued at $39.4 billion. Therefore, the rising global demand for processed food is driving the expansion of the perishable goods sea transportation market.

Companies operating in the perishable goods sea transportation market are increasingly focusing on the development of advanced freight movement technologies to serve larger customer bases, increase sales volumes, and boost revenue. Freight movement technology refers to the use of advanced systems and tools that improve the efficiency, visibility, and management of goods transportation across the supply chain. For instance, in March 2023, ArcBest Corporation, a US-based transportation company, launched Vaux, an integrated hardware and software solution designed to modernize and streamline freight loading, unloading, and transfer processes. Vaux enables the unloading of a full trailer in less than five minutes while providing end-to-end visibility of freight movement across warehouses, docks, and road transport. The Vaux Freight Movement System, which includes the Vaux MP and MP Coupler, allows operators to load and unload full trailers quickly and efficiently. Integrated into warehouse operations and powered by the Vaux OS software suite, the system supports warehouse orchestration, operator fulfillment, and freight tracking, delivering significant efficiency gains and seamless coordination.

In July 2023, Seafrigo, a France-based logistics company specializing in temperature-controlled supply chain solutions, acquired Perishable Movements Limited for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Seafrigo aims to strengthen its service portfolio, expand its geographic footprint, enhance operational efficiency, and reinforce its position in the temperature-controlled logistics market. Perishable Movements Limited is a UK-based logistics and transportation company that focuses on the handling and movement of perishable goods.

Major companies operating in the perishable goods sea transportation market are A P Moller Maersk A S, CMA CGM Group, Mediterranean Shipping Company S A, Hapag‑Lloyd AG, COSCO Shipping Co. Ltd., ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd., Ocean Network Express, Evergreen Marine Corporation, Hyundai Merchant Marine HMM, Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation, Pacific International Lines, Seatrade Reefer Chartering NV, Green Reefers ASA, Cool Carriers, Siem Shipping, Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha NYK Line, Mitsui O S K Lines Ltd., Orient Overseas Container Line, Star Reefers, United Reefers, Baltic Reefers, Blue Star Line, OT Africa Line, Royal Mail Steam Packet Company, Wan Hai Lines Ltd.

North America was the largest region in the perishable goods sea transportation market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the perishable goods sea transportation market report during the forecast period. The regions covered in the perishable goods sea transportation market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the perishable goods sea transportation market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The perishable goods sea transportation market includes revenues earned by entities by transporting products such as dairy products, and raw meats with various transportation options including a dry van, and refrigerated freight. 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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