The global digital freight brokerage market size is estimated at USD 5.87 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 27.3% from 2025 to 2030. Today, traditional freight brokerage faces several challenges, such as a lack of real-time tracking, unpredictable pricing fluctuations, inefficiencies due to manual processes, and capacity constraints. To overcome such challenges companies are focusing on digital freight brokerage solutions by leveraging automation, AI, and real-time data analytics. Digital freight brokerage is a freight brokerage model that uses technology, often online platforms or apps, to connect shippers with carriers, automating processes such as tendering, booking, and shipment execution, and aiming for more efficient and real-time freight matching. This modern approach is widely used across industries such as retail, manufacturing, and e-commerce, where fast and efficient logistics are crucial.
Growth in cross-border & intermodal freight transport is a key driver of the digital freight brokerage industry. As global trade expands, businesses face challenges such as customs delays, inefficient coordination between transport modes, and high costs associated with cross-border freight. Digital freight brokerage platforms offer real-time tracking, automated customs documentation, and AI-powered route optimization, enabling seamless transitions between different modes of transport. Major companies are increasingly focusing on expanding intermodal and cross-border capabilities to enhance supply chain resilience. For instance, in November 2024, Schneider National, Inc. (U.S.) launched a new intermodal service between the Southeast U.S. and Mexico in collaboration with CSX (U.S.) and CPKC (Canada). This service eliminates border delays common in trucking, ensuring faster, more secure freight movement, which aligns with the benefits provided by digital freight brokerage solutions.
The rise of e-commerce and on-demand deliveries is a significant driver of the digital freight brokerage industry. The rapid growth of e-commerce is driving demand for faster, more flexible, and cost-effective shipping solutions. Digital freight brokerage platforms enable instant carrier sourcing, reduce transit times, and improve delivery efficiency. According to The Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce, total e-commerce sales for 2024 were estimated at USD 1.19 trillion, reflecting an 8.1% increase from 2023, while total retail sales grew by only 2.8%. This rapid e-commerce expansion has heightened the increasing reliance on advanced freight solutions to handle growing shipment volumes efficiently.
Regulatory complexities and trade policies are essential for security and trade standardization. However, it creates operational hurdles for freight companies, requiring them to invest in compliance management and digital solutions to streamline processes and minimize disruptions. Compliance with different countries’ transportation laws, customs regulations, and environmental mandates can lead to delays, fines, and increased operational costs. For instance, United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) regulations impose stricter labor laws, regional content requirements, and customs enforcement, directly affecting cross-border freight operations. In addition, The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) mandates the use of Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs), which limits driving hours, requiring carriers to adhere to strict compliance measures, which increases operational costs and reduces driver flexibility.
Fluctuations in freight demand and excess carrier capacity present significant challenges for logistics and transportation companies. When demand is low, there are more available trucks than shipments, leading to intense competition among carriers and driving freight rates down. This reduces profitability and forces some carriers to operate at a loss or exit the market entirely. Conversely, when demand spikes, there may not be enough carrier capacity to meet shipping needs, causing delays and higher transportation costs for shippers. This volatility disrupts market stability and affects platform reliability, as inconsistent pricing and availability can deter both shippers and carriers. In addition, digital freight platforms rely on large volumes of transactions for profitability, and unpredictable demand cycles can make revenue growth inconsistent.
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Growth in cross-border & intermodal freight transport is a key driver of the digital freight brokerage industry. As global trade expands, businesses face challenges such as customs delays, inefficient coordination between transport modes, and high costs associated with cross-border freight. Digital freight brokerage platforms offer real-time tracking, automated customs documentation, and AI-powered route optimization, enabling seamless transitions between different modes of transport. Major companies are increasingly focusing on expanding intermodal and cross-border capabilities to enhance supply chain resilience. For instance, in November 2024, Schneider National, Inc. (U.S.) launched a new intermodal service between the Southeast U.S. and Mexico in collaboration with CSX (U.S.) and CPKC (Canada). This service eliminates border delays common in trucking, ensuring faster, more secure freight movement, which aligns with the benefits provided by digital freight brokerage solutions.
The rise of e-commerce and on-demand deliveries is a significant driver of the digital freight brokerage industry. The rapid growth of e-commerce is driving demand for faster, more flexible, and cost-effective shipping solutions. Digital freight brokerage platforms enable instant carrier sourcing, reduce transit times, and improve delivery efficiency. According to The Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce, total e-commerce sales for 2024 were estimated at USD 1.19 trillion, reflecting an 8.1% increase from 2023, while total retail sales grew by only 2.8%. This rapid e-commerce expansion has heightened the increasing reliance on advanced freight solutions to handle growing shipment volumes efficiently.
Regulatory complexities and trade policies are essential for security and trade standardization. However, it creates operational hurdles for freight companies, requiring them to invest in compliance management and digital solutions to streamline processes and minimize disruptions. Compliance with different countries’ transportation laws, customs regulations, and environmental mandates can lead to delays, fines, and increased operational costs. For instance, United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) regulations impose stricter labor laws, regional content requirements, and customs enforcement, directly affecting cross-border freight operations. In addition, The FMCSA (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration) mandates the use of Electronic Logging Devices (ELDs), which limits driving hours, requiring carriers to adhere to strict compliance measures, which increases operational costs and reduces driver flexibility.
Fluctuations in freight demand and excess carrier capacity present significant challenges for logistics and transportation companies. When demand is low, there are more available trucks than shipments, leading to intense competition among carriers and driving freight rates down. This reduces profitability and forces some carriers to operate at a loss or exit the market entirely. Conversely, when demand spikes, there may not be enough carrier capacity to meet shipping needs, causing delays and higher transportation costs for shippers. This volatility disrupts market stability and affects platform reliability, as inconsistent pricing and availability can deter both shippers and carriers. In addition, digital freight platforms rely on large volumes of transactions for profitability, and unpredictable demand cycles can make revenue growth inconsistent.
Global Digital Freight Brokerage Market Report Segmentation
This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, the analyst has segmented the global digital freight brokerage market report based on transportation mode, service type, customer type, end-user industry, and region:Transportation Mode Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)
- Road Freight
- Rail Freight
- Air Freight
- Ocean Freight
Service Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)
- Full-truckload (FTL) Brokerage
- Less-than-Truckload (LTL) Brokerage
- Intermodal Brokerage
- Expedited Freight
- Refrigerated Freight (Temp-Controlled)
- Cross-border Freight Brokerage
- Other Services Type
Customer Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)
- Business-to-Business (B2B)
- Business-to-Consumer (B2C)
End-User Industry Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)
- Retail & E-commerce
- Manufacturing
- Automotive
- Food & Beverages
- Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
- Oil & Gas
- Other End-user Industries
Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)
- North America
- U.S.
- Canada
- Mexico
- Europe
- UK
- Germany
- Italy
- Poland
- Asia Pacific
- China
- India
- Japan
- Australia
- South Korea
- Latin America
- Brazil
- Middle East & Africa (MEA)
- UAE
- Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA)
- South Africa
Why should you buy this report?
- Comprehensive Market Analysis: Gain detailed insights into the global market across major regions and segments.
- Competitive Landscape: Explore the market presence of key players worldwide.
- Future Trends: Discover the pivotal trends and drivers shaping the future of the global market.
- Actionable Recommendations: Utilize insights to uncover new revenue streams and guide strategic business decisions.
This Report Addresses:
- Market intelligence to enable effective decision-making
- Market estimates and forecasts from 2018 to 2030
- Growth opportunities and trend analyses
- Segment and regional revenue forecasts for market assessment
- Competition strategy and market share analysis
- Product innovation listing for you to stay ahead of the curve
- COVID-19's impact and how to sustain in these fast-evolving markets
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Table of Contents
Chapter 1. Methodology and Scope
Chapter 2. Executive Summary
Chapter 3. Digital Freight Brokerage Market Variables, Trends, & Scope
Chapter 4. Digital Freight Brokerage Market: Transportation Mode Estimates & Trend Analysis
Chapter 5. Digital Freight Brokerage Market: Service Type Estimates & Trend Analysis
Chapter 6. Digital Freight Brokerage Market: By Customer Type Estimates & Trend Analysis
Chapter 7. Digital Freight Brokerage Market: End-User Industry Estimates & Trend Analysis
Chapter 8. Digital Freight Brokerage Market: Regional Estimates & Trend Analysis
Chapter 9. Competitive Landscape
List of Tables
List of Figures
Companies Mentioned
- C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.
- Total Quality Logistics, LLC
- Coyote Logistics, LLC (a subsidiary of RXO, Inc.)
- WWEX Group
- Landstar System Holdings, Inc.
- Mode Global
- Echo Global Logistics, Inc.
- Schneider National, Inc.
- Uber Freight (a subsidiary of Uber Technologies, Inc.)
- J.B. Hunt Transport Services, Inc.
Methodology
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Table Information
Report Attribute | Details |
---|---|
No. of Pages | 130 |
Published | March 2025 |
Forecast Period | 2024 - 2030 |
Estimated Market Value ( USD | $ 5.87 Billion |
Forecasted Market Value ( USD | $ 24.36 Billion |
Compound Annual Growth Rate | 27.3% |
Regions Covered | Global |
No. of Companies Mentioned | 10 |