Intermodal Freight Transportation Market Report 2026

The intermodal freight transportation market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $67.62 billion in 2025 to $77.84 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of global trade activities, development of containerization standards, growth of rail and port infrastructure, increasing demand for cost-efficient freight transport, adoption of multimodal logistics models.

The intermodal freight transportation market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $136.27 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to expansion of smart freight corridors, rising investments in sustainable logistics solutions, growing adoption of digital freight platforms, increasing demand for resilient supply chains, integration of low-emission transport modes. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of containerized freight movement, rising integration of rail-road logistics networks, growing use of digital freight coordination platforms, expansion of cross-border intermodal corridors, enhanced focus on cargo handling efficiency.

The increasing industrialization is expected to propel the growth of the intermodal freight transportation market going forward. Industrialization is the process by which an economy is transformed from primarily agricultural to one based on manufacturing goods and services. The increasing industrialization is due to globalization, supply chain efficiency, market demand diversification, and trade agreements. Intermodal freight transportation plays a crucial role in industrialization by enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the logistics and supply chain systems. It supports global trade, infrastructure development, and economic growth, making it a cornerstone of modern industrial economies. For instance, in November 2025, according to Eurostat, a Luxembourg-based statistical office of the European Union, industrial production in September 2025 increased by 1.2% in the euro area and by 2% in the EU, compared with September 2024. Therefore, increasing industrialization is driving the growth of the intermodal freight transportation market.

Major companies operating in the intermodal freight transportation market are focused on developing innovative technologies, such as AI-based transport management solutions, to enhance efficiency, optimize routes, and improve overall supply chain performance. AI-based transport management solutions refer to advanced systems that utilize artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance and optimize various aspects of transportation management. For instance, in September 2023, 3SC Solutions, a Netherlands-based provider of supply chain solutions, launched iTMS (Intelligent Transport Management Solution). The solution integrates advanced AI and machine learning technologies to offer real-time route optimization, enhancing efficiency and reducing operational costs. iTMS includes predictive analytics capabilities to anticipate potential disruptions and adjust logistics strategies proactively. Its dynamic dashboard provides comprehensive visibility into all transportation activities, allowing for seamless coordination across multiple modes of transport.

In January 2023, RoadOne Intermodal Logistics, a US-based company that provides logistics services, acquired Transporter Inc for an undisclosed amount. With this acquisition, RoadOne aims to expand its intermodal logistics capabilities, enhance its service offerings, and strengthen its market position by integrating The Transporter Inc.'s expertise and assets into its operations. Transporter is a US-based company that specializes in providing intermodal freight transportation services.

Major companies operating in the intermodal freight transportation market are Deutsche Post DHL Group, FedEx Corporation, A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S, CMA CGM Group, Deutsche Bahn AG, Kuehne + Nagel International AG, Hapag-Lloyd AG, DSV A/S, SAP SE, DB Schenker, C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc., DP World, J.B. Hunt Transport Services Inc., Canadian Pacific Railway Limited, Schneider National Inc., Hub Group Inc., APM Terminals, XPO Logistics Inc., Swift Transportation Company, STG Logistics Inc., WiseTech Global Limited, Yusen Logistics Co. Ltd., Air Ground Xpress, CLX Logistics LLC, LOGISTEED Ltd.

North America was the largest region in the intermodal freight transportation market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the intermodal freight 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 intermodal freight transportation market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The intermodal freight transportation market includes revenues earned by entities by providing services such as freight forwarding, container management, customs brokerage, cargo handling and intermodal terminal services and related cargo handling equipment, tracking devices, temperature-controlled units and safety and security systems. 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.

This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.