Road Freight Transport Global Market Report 2024

The road freight transport market has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $98.94 billion in 2023 to $105.96 billion in 2024 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.1%. The expansion observed in the historical period can be ascribed to several factors, including economic growth, infrastructure development, regulatory environment, globalization, fuel prices, and consumer behavior. These elements collectively contributed to the overall growth during that timeframe.

The road freight transport market is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $136.38 billion in 2028 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5%. The anticipated growth in the forecast period is attributable to several key factors, including sustainability initiatives, infrastructure investments, urbanization trends, supply chain resilience, and regulatory changes. Noteworthy trends expected during this period encompass digitalization and automation, the emphasis on green initiatives and sustainability, the boom in e-commerce, heightened focus on resilience and supply chain visibility, and the promotion of collaborative logistics. These trends collectively contribute to the projected growth in the upcoming period.

The anticipated growth in the road freight transport market is poised to be driven by the increasing trend of cross-border trade. Cross-border trade involves the exchange of products from one country to buyers in another, often facilitated by business-to-consumer (B2C) transactions, encompassing import, export, or transit activities. Road transport plays a vital role in facilitating cross-border trade by simplifying the movement of commodities, enhancing connectivity, and fostering economic growth. A notable example is the information provided by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in February 2022, stating that the total value of global trade in 2021 reached a record high of $28.5 trillion. The escalating volume of cross-border trade is, therefore, a key driver behind the growth of the road freight transport market.

The expanding oil and gas industry is poised to contribute significantly to the growth of the road freight transport market. The oil and gas industry encompasses a global network of entities involved in the exploration, extraction, production, refining, and distribution of petroleum and natural gas. Road freight transport within this industry offers benefits such as flexibility, accessibility, timely deliveries, support for exploration and drilling activities, versatility in handling various cargo types, and adaptability to changing requirements. As an illustration, data from the US Energy Information Administration in October 2023 indicates a projected increase in U.S. crude oil output to 12.4 million barrels per day (b/d) in 2023, up from the record-high of 11.7 million b/d in 2022. Additionally, in September 2022, the U.S. witnessed the highest annual consumption of natural gas at an average of 86.6 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d), showcasing the dynamic nature of the industry. Consequently, the expanding scope of the oil and gas sector is a key driver behind the growth of the road freight transport market.

Technological advancements stand out as a key trend gaining traction in the road freight transport market, with major players focusing on innovation to maintain and enhance their market positions. A notable example is ArcBest Corporation, a US-based holding company in the freight industry, which introduced the Vaux in March 2023. This revolutionary freight movement technology transforms intralogistics procedures, boosting efficiency and advancing supply chains. Vaux combines cutting-edge technology and software to modernize the loading, unloading, and movement of goods. With Vaux, the unloading of a trailer's full contents can be accomplished in less than five minutes, providing comprehensive visibility into the movement of goods within warehouse facilities, on the dock, and on the road. This results in extreme efficiencies and seamless orchestration of warehouse operations.

Collaboration and partnerships represent another prominent strategy adopted by major companies in the road freight transport sector to deliver reliable services to customers. An example is the partnership formed in March 2023 between CEVA Logistics, Engie SA, and SANEF in France. This collaboration aims to decarbonize long-distance road freight transport across Europe through the European Clean Transport Network (ECTN) Alliance. The ECTN concept involves strategically located truck terminals along major European motorways, offering low-carbon energy solutions for long-distance freight transport.

In June 2023, Scan Global Logistics, a Denmark-based logistics company, demonstrated a growth-oriented strategy by acquiring Sand Road Freight A/S for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition is geared towards strengthening SGL's road transport operations and competencies in Denmark. It enables SGL to offer customers a more comprehensive portfolio of global air, ocean, and rail freight products. Sand Road Freight A/S is a Denmark-based transport and freight forwarding company. Overall, these technological advancements and strategic collaborations contribute to the dynamic landscape of the road freight transport market.

Major companies operating in the road freight transport market report are Cargo Carriers Ltd., CEVA Logistics AG, CJ Logistics Corp., Deutsche Bahn AG, FedEx Corp., Fercam Spa, Ital Logistics Ltd., J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc., Kerry Logistics Network Ltd., KLG Europe, Kuehne and Nagel International AG, Nippon Express Holdings Inc., United Parcel Service Inc., Yellow Corporation, First European Logistics Ltd., Alkom-Trans SIA, DHL Supply Chain, C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc., XPO Logistics Inc., Schneider National Inc., Old Dominion Freight Line Inc., Knight-Swift Transportation, Landstar System Inc., Werner Enterprises Inc., Saia Inc., Estes Express Lines, ArcBest Corporation, Ryder System Inc., Southeastern Freight Lines, ABF Freight System Inc., Roadrunner Transportation Systems Inc., Averitt Express Inc., Dayton Freight Lines Inc., Holland Inc., New England Motor Freight, Pitt Ohio Express, R+L Carriers, Crete Carrier Corporation, CRST International Inc., Heartland Express Inc., Bison Transport Inc., Wilson Logistics Limited.

North America was the largest region in the road freight transport market in 2023. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the global road freight transport market report during the forecast period. The regions covered in the road freight transport market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the road freight transport market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Two main types of carriers are commonly used in road freight transport full truckload and less-than-truckload. These carriers utilize a range of vehicles, including light commercial vehicles, medium commercial vehicles, and heavy commercial vehicles. In the case of a full truckload, a single truck is responsible for transporting an entire shipment from one location to another. These services operate both domestically and internationally, catering to diverse end-users such as those in agriculture, fishing and forestry, construction, manufacturing, oil and gas, mining and quarrying, wholesale and retail trade, among others. This mode of transport ensures efficient and comprehensive delivery solutions for a variety of goods.

The road freight transport market research report provides road freight transport market statistics, including road freight transport industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a road freight transport market share, detailed road freight transport market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the road freight transport industry. This road freight transport market 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 road freight transport market includes revenues earned by entities by providing curtain sided transportation, flatbed transportation, temperature-controlled transportation, and more. 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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