Asia-Pacific Freight Forwarding Market Outlook, 2029

In the past couple of decades, the freight forwarding market in the Asia-Pacific region has expanded rapidly off the back of the rapid economic development and industrialization of the region. The market was usually fragmented and was characterized by the mixture of local traditional players and the rising international companies. Other factors that drove the growth of the logistics industry were the opening up of economies such as China and India towards the end of the 20th century and the establishment of trade agreements such as AFTA.

The growth in the freight forwarding market was further fanned out with the development of manufacturing hubs in countries like China, Japan, South Korea, and those in Southeast Asia. Investments in port, airport, and railway hub infrastructure have been equally vital in providing support to the logistics industry. The APAC freight forwarding market has changed dramatically over the past few years through technological innovation. Digital platforms, automation, and advanced analytics are increasingly being used to bring operational efficiencies and service efficiency. Technologies such as blockchain, AI, and IoT are working together to transform logistics management.

Blockchain provides secure yet transparent transactions, while AI helps in predictive analytics, route optimization, and improved inventory management. IoT devices provide real-time traceability and monitoring of shipments, bringing improved visibility into supply chains and the possibility for proactive management of potential disruptions. The APAC region is experiencing a massive e-commerce boom, which is proving to be the prime driver for the freight forwarding market. Online shopping expanded radically in countries like China, India, and the Southeast Asian countries, thereby creating huge demand for efficient logistics and speedy delivery services.

It is for this reason that e-commerce giants such as Alibaba, JD.com, and Flipkart are acquiring and building a lot of logistics infrastructure and are developing the technology required to process shipments. Freight forwarders are increasing their capacities with respect to handling e-commerce logistics, automated warehouses, advanced inventory management systems, and very new solutions for last-mile delivery. In light of this scenario, a continuous boom in e-commerce is likely to further drive the growth in the APAC freight forwarding market.

Factors that boost APAC freight forwarding market growth include infrastructure development. Substantial investments have been made across the region toward expansion and modernization of transportation infrastructure at ports, airports, railways, and road networks. Major initiatives are focused on establishing better connectivity and trade within the Asian continent and beyond, such as the China Belt and Road Initiative.

According to the research report "Asia-Pacific Freight Forwarding Market Overview, 2029," the Asia-Pacific Freight Forwarding market is anticipated to add to more than USD 15 Billion by 2024-29. Sustainability has been one of the trends in the APAC freight forwarding market. Governments and companies in the region are gradually coming to grips with the necessity for bringing down the environmental impact of operations in logistics. Several activities are initiated on the adoption of electric vehicles, use of alternative fuels, and energy-efficient technologies that help in reducing carbon emissions.

Companies are adapting green logistics practices and sustainable supply chain management to global environmental standards and customer preference. Regional trade agreements seem to have an important role in shaping the freight forwarding market in APAC. In detail, agreements like the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership are characterized by the reduction of tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade, promotion of economic integration, and improvement in market access. The APAC freight forwarding market is highly competitive, with a mix of global logistics giants and regional players.

It hosts some of the major international players, like DHL, Kuehne + Nagel, and DB Schenker, that offer end-to-end logistic solutions with large global networks. On a regional front, Kerry Logistics, CJ Logistics, and Yusen Logistics form a large component of the sector by delivering solutions tailored to local markets and industry-specific expertise. In its competitive landscape, mergers and acquisitions, strategic alliances, and continuous investments in technology and infrastructure are ways companies enhance their service offerings and increase their market reach. One of the top trends is digital transformation, with businesses embracing digital platforms, automation, and data analytics to bring a change in operational efficiency and customer service. Multimodal transportation solutions integrating road, rail, air, and sea transport are increasing operational efficiency in logistics and shortening lead times.

Market Drivers

• Manufacturing Hub: The APAC region, particularly China, Japan, and South Korea, is a global manufacturing powerhouse. The high volume of exports from these countries drives the demand for efficient freight forwarding services. The need to transport manufactured goods to global markets requires robust logistics solutions, making APAC a critical region for the freight forwarding industry. The integration of advanced manufacturing technologies, such as automation and robotics, enhances production efficiency and increases the demand for sophisticated logistics solutions. Freight forwarders play a crucial role in managing the complex supply chains of industrial manufacturers, ensuring the seamless movement of raw materials, components, and finished products.
• E-commerce Boom: The rapid growth of e-commerce in APAC, driven by markets like China and India, significantly increases the demand for logistics services. The need for efficient warehousing, inventory management, and last-mile delivery solutions to meet consumer expectations fuels the growth of the freight forwarding market. The expansion of online shopping platforms, mobile commerce, and cross-border e-commerce further drives the demand for advanced logistics solutions. Freight forwarders are investing in technology, automation, and innovative delivery models to handle the increased volume of e-commerce shipments, ensuring timely and accurate delivery to end customers.

Market Challenges

• Regulatory Complexity: The diverse regulatory landscape across APAC countries presents challenges for freight forwarders. Navigating varying customs procedures, trade policies, and compliance requirements adds complexity to logistics operations. Companies must invest in understanding and adapting to these regulatory differences to ensure smooth cross-border trade. The lack of harmonized standards and regulations increases administrative burdens and operational costs. Freight forwarders must develop expertise in local customs procedures, establish strong relationships with regulatory authorities, and invest in compliance management systems to navigate the complex regulatory environment effectively.
• Infrastructure Gaps: While APAC has some of the world’s most advanced infrastructure, there are still significant gaps in developing regions. Poor road networks, congested ports, and inadequate warehousing facilities in some areas hinder efficient logistics operations. Addressing these infrastructure challenges is crucial for optimizing freight forwarding services. Investments in infrastructure development, such as the construction of modern ports, expansion of road networks, and improvement of rail systems, are essential to enhance connectivity and support the growth of the logistics sector. Public-private partnerships and government initiatives focused on infrastructure development play a critical role in addressing these deficiencies and improving logistics efficiency in the region.

Market Trends

• Investment in Technology: There is a strong trend towards the adoption of advanced technologies in the APAC logistics sector. The use of automation, AI, and digital platforms enhances efficiency, reduces costs, and improves the accuracy of logistics operations. Technological investments are transforming the logistics landscape, making freight forwarding more streamlined and reliable. Digital freight platforms connect shippers with carriers, optimizing load matching and reducing empty miles. Additionally, the adoption of AI and machine learning algorithms for demand forecasting and route optimization is transforming logistics operations, enabling companies to respond quickly to market changes and improve service levels.
• Regional Trade Agreements: Trade agreements like the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) are boosting intra-regional trade in APAC. These agreements reduce tariffs, simplify customs procedures, and promote economic cooperation, driving demand for freight forwarding services to manage increased trade flows. The growth in regional trade strengthens the logistics network across APAC. Enhanced connectivity and streamlined customs procedures facilitate smoother and more efficient movement of goods, reducing transit times and logistics costs. The development of regional trade corridors and multimodal transportation solutions further supports the growth of the freight forwarding market in APAC.

The freight forwarding market in APAC is driven mainly by the industrial and manufacturing sector, as the region has emerged as the global manufacturing hub.s

The countries in APAC have industrialized quickly and are now some of the largest manufacturing nations in the world. This growth in production has created an increased demand for freight forwarders. China is sometimes referred to as the "world's factory" due to its immense export-oriented manufacturing. It is now known for tremendous cargo movement in terms of production and export of electronics, textiles, machinery, and many other things. Other than China, other countries have turned into major production locations and, therefore, attract massive foreign investment. This list now includes India, Vietnam, and South Korea.

These countries have become part of large, complex supply chains for the manufacture of all kinds of products sold both locally and globally. Indeed, the supply chains of multinationals operating in these regions call for seamless transportation of raw materials, intermediate goods, and finished products. For example, the electronics industry has very complicated supply chains, which are usually realized across multiple countries, and hence the manufacture of components and the final products will call for timely shipment to culminate in the finished products.

The other significant segment within the APAC production landscapes is the automotive industry, where elements to be ferried are usually large and heavy, therefore necessitating more freight forwarding services. The increasing adoption of just-in-time inventory management by manufacturers to meet the goal of optimum production costs and lead times is further increasing the demand for freight transport that is reliable and timely. This has put immense pressure on freight forwarders to offer cargo delivery with precision and speed, thereby enhancing the dominance of the industrial and manufacturing sector in the APAC freight forwarding market.

Transport and warehousing are the prime backbones of the APAC freight forwarding market, considering the huge geographical area and growing e-commerce activities.

The Asia-Pacific region is geographically diverse and countries span over far distances; hence, there is a dire need for effective transportation and warehousing solutions. The goods shipped from the Chinese manufacturing centers span over far distances to Australian consumer markets, hence, calling for a complex interplay of the three modes, i.e. sea, air, and land transportation. Freight forwarders are the masters of such multi-modal transportation networks, such that it almost seems they can do wonders and teleport goods across borders.

Furthermore, with the new emerging e-commerce giants, like Alibaba and Amazon, in this region, demand for efficient last-mile delivery has increased manifold. This increases the need for huge warehousing facilities located strategically right next to major population centers so as to facilitate rapid order fulfillment. The omnichannel retailing where customers expect seamless shopping experiences across various channels has further underscored the need for warehousing in the area of inventory management and order consolidation.

The ocean freight dominates the APAC freight forwarding market due to the comprehensive coastline and its functioning as a global manufacturing and trading hub.

The Asia Pacific region has an extended coastline, hosting some of the world's busiest ports. These nations, including the very busy ports of Shanghai and Shenzhen in China and Singapore as a global maritime and logistics hub, have played their part in building the regional reputation as a maritime powerhouse. This has resulted in the region being perceived as the global place for manufacturing, thus boosting exports and ocean freight accordingly as the cheapest way to move bulk volumes over long distances.

For instance, ocean freight plays a huge role in the export of manufactured goods from China to North America and Europe. as the supply chain continues to globalize, ocean freight has become an essential element in international trade. Ocean vessels transport raw materials, such as iron ore, coal, and crude oil, on bulk bases into the region's manufacturing hubs. Those finished products are then shipped back to consumer markets worldwide. This is an effective cyclical movement of goods that has really cemented ocean freight's dominance in the APAC freight forwarding market. The development of mega-ships with higher cargo capacity further made ocean freight very efficient and cost-effective, hence becoming a favorite mode of transportation among businesses.

The South America freight forwarding market is dominated by the B2B segment. This has held the greatest share of the market, driven by growing demand for logistics services from businesses and industries in the region.

Growth in industries such as mining, oil and gas, and agriculture has led to an increase in the demand for logistic services, as companies require effective and trustworthy solutions to transport goods and products across borders. This is because moving goods or products from one business to another characterizes B2B transactions, and this segment drives the growth of the South American freight forwarding market. Many businesses in South America are leaving their logistics operations, including transportation, warehousing, and inventory management, in the hands of freight forwarding companies.

Freight forwarders are providing customized logistics solutions for businesses in which services such as door-to-door delivery, cargo tracking, and supply chain management are included. Growth in e-commerce hasadded to the growth of B2B transactions in South America since businesses demand logistics services to ferry their goods and products around the region. The governments of this region have been investing heavily in the development of infrastructure, including upgrading roads and seaports, which could enhance the efficiency and capacity of logistics infrastructure in this region. In that sense, this has eased business transporting goods and products across borders, thereby boosting the growth of B2B transactions within the region.

The dominance of China in the APAC freight forwarding market is driven by its positioning as the world's manufacturing hub.

China has managed to turn itself into the global production platform for manufacturing a wide variety of products spanning many industries. Coupled with this huge production is the need for an equally efficient freight forwarding service to move raw materials, components, and finished products inland and by sea. Having been geographically and geopolitically at a vantage position and equipped with a comprehensive network of deep-sea ports, with world-class facilities such as Shanghai and Ningbo, China had emerged as a global logistics and transportation hub.

Besides its powerful manufacturing industry, an excellent infrastructure within the country with a comprehensive rail network, expressways, and inland waterways has made cargo movement effective. Such a developed transport system has supported the continuous development of e-commerce and domestic consumption and thus accelerated freight forwarding demand. Additionally, the Chinese government has provided continuous support to investments in logistics infrastructure and positive policies, which have created a good environment for the freight forwarding industry.
The dominance of China in the APAC freight forwarding market is driven by its positioning as the world's manufacturing hub.

China has managed to turn itself into the global production platform for manufacturing a wide variety of products spanning many industries. Coupled with this huge production is the need for an equally efficient freight forwarding service to move raw materials, components, and finished products inland and by sea. Having been geographically and geopolitically at a vantage position and equipped with a comprehensive network of deep-sea ports, with world-class facilities such as Shanghai and Ningbo, China had emerged as a global logistics and transportation hub.

Besides its powerful manufacturing industry, an excellent infrastructure within the country with a comprehensive rail network, expressways, and inland waterways has made cargo movement effective. Such a developed transport system has supported the continuous development of e-commerce and domestic consumption and thus accelerated freight forwarding demand. Additionally, the Chinese government has provided continuous support to investments in logistics infrastructure and positive policies, which have created a good environment for the freight forwarding industry.
The dominance of China in the APAC freight forwarding market is driven by its positioning as the world's manufacturing hub.

China has managed to turn itself into the global production platform for manufacturing a wide variety of products spanning many industries. Coupled with this huge production is the need for an equally efficient freight forwarding service to move raw materials, components, and finished products inland and by sea. Having been geographically and geopolitically at a vantage position and equipped with a comprehensive network of deep-sea ports, with world-class facilities such as Shanghai and Ningbo, China had emerged as a global logistics and transportation hub.

Besides its powerful manufacturing industry, an excellent infrastructure within the country with a comprehensive rail network, expressways, and inland waterways has made cargo movement effective. Such a developed transport system has supported the continuous development of e-commerce and domestic consumption and thus accelerated freight forwarding demand. Additionally, the Chinese government has provided continuous support to investments in logistics infrastructure and positive policies, which have created a good environment for the freight forwarding industry.
The dominance of China in the APAC freight forwarding market is driven by its positioning as the world's manufacturing hub.

China has managed to turn itself into the global production platform for manufacturing a wide variety of products spanning many industries. Coupled with this huge production is the need for an equally efficient freight forwarding service to move raw materials, components, and finished products inland and by sea. Having been geographically and geopolitically at a vantage position and equipped with a comprehensive network of deep-sea ports, with world-class facilities such as Shanghai and Ningbo, China had emerged as a global logistics and transportation hub.

Besides its powerful manufacturing industry, an excellent infrastructure within the country with a comprehensive rail network, expressways, and inland waterways has made cargo movement effective. Such a developed transport system has supported the continuous development of e-commerce and domestic consumption and thus accelerated freight forwarding demand. Additionally, the Chinese government has provided continuous support to investments in logistics infrastructure and positive policies, which have created a good environment for the freight forwarding industry.

Considered in this report

• Historic year: 2018
• Base year: 2023
• Estimated year: 2024
• Forecast year: 2029

Aspects covered in this report

• Freight Forwarding market Outlook with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By End-User

• Industrial & Manufacturing
• Retail and E-commerce
• Automotive
• Consumer Goods
• Healthcare
• Others

By Service Type

• Transportation and Warehousing
• Packaging
• Documentation
• Value-added Services

By Transport Mode

• Ocean Freight forwarding
• Air Freight forwarding
• Road Freight forwarding
• Rail Freight forwarding

By Customer Type

• B2B
• B2C

The approach of the report:

This report consists of a combined approach of primary and secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list the companies that are present in it. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual reports of companies, and government-generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources, primary research was conducted by conducting telephone interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this; we have started making primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting them in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us, we can start verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience

This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations, and organizations related to the Freight Forwarding industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing and presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.


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