Global Freight Forwarding Market Growth, Share, Size, Trends and Forecast (2025 - 2031)

In this report, the Freight Forwarding Market has been segmented by Shipping Type, Mode of Transport, Customer Type, Forwarding Service, Application, and Geography.

Freight Forwarding Market, Segmentation by Shipping Type

The Freight Forwarding Market has been segmented by Shipping Type into Airways, Railways, Roadways, and Waterways

Airways
Air freight forwarding plays a vital role in transporting high-value and time-sensitive goods. It accounts for approximately 15% of the global freight forwarding revenue, despite representing a smaller volume share. The segment benefits from shorter transit times, making it ideal for sectors like electronics, pharmaceuticals, and fashion.

Railways
Rail freight forwarding is gaining popularity due to its cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits. It represents around 12% of the freight forwarding market, particularly strong in cross-continental trade such as between Europe and Asia. Rail transport provides a balanced solution between cost and speed for bulk commodities and industrial goods.

Roadways
Road freight dominates the freight forwarding landscape, contributing nearly 40% of the market share globally. It offers unmatched last-mile connectivity, flexibility, and accessibility, making it the backbone for domestic and regional logistics. This segment supports industries such as retail, e-commerce, FMCG, and automotive.

Waterways
Water freight forwarding remains essential for bulk and international trade, comprising around 33% of the market. It's the most economical mode for long-distance and heavy cargo transport. Ideal for industries like oil & gas, mining, and agriculture, this mode is crucial for global supply chains and port-to-port shipments.

Freight Forwarding Market, Segmentation by Mode of Transport

The Freight Forwarding Market has been segmented by Mode of Transport into Air Freight Forwarding, Ocean Freight Forwarding, Road Freight Forwarding, and Rail Freight Forwarding

Air Freight Forwarding
Air freight forwarding is crucial for fast, time-sensitive shipments, especially in industries like electronics, fashion, and pharmaceuticals. It contributes about 15% to the global freight forwarding market. Though high in cost, its speed and reliability drive demand across international express and premium cargo sectors.

Ocean Freight Forwarding
Ocean freight forwarding dominates long-haul, bulk transport, accounting for around 33% of the global market. It is the most cost-efficient mode for heavy goods and intercontinental trade. Key industries using this mode include oil & gas, agriculture, and manufacturing.

Road Freight Forwarding
Road freight forwarding is the largest segment, representing nearly 40% of the freight forwarding market. Known for its last-mile delivery, flexibility, and extensive network, it's widely used in retail, FMCG, and e-commerce logistics across domestic and regional routes.

Rail Freight Forwarding
Rail freight forwarding makes up around 12% of the global market. It offers a middle ground between speed and cost, making it effective for inland bulk transportation. It is particularly strong in Eurasian routes and is valued for its sustainability and reliability.

Freight Forwarding Market, Segmentation by Customer Type

The Freight Forwarding Market has been segmented by Customer Type into B2B and B2C.

B2B
The B2B segment dominates the freight forwarding market, contributing to nearly 80% of the total market share. This segment primarily serves manufacturers, exporters, importers, and large-scale distributors. B2B freight forwarding focuses on bulk shipments, long-term contracts, and integrated supply chain solutions, making it a cornerstone of global trade logistics.

B2C
The B2C segment, though smaller at around 20%, is rapidly growing due to the surge in e-commerce and direct-to-consumer retail models. This segment emphasizes smaller, faster deliveries, often requiring last-mile solutions and flexible logistics. As online shopping continues to expand globally, B2C freight forwarding is becoming increasingly significant.

Freight Forwarding Market, Segmentation by Forwarding Service

The Freight Forwarding Market has been segmented by Forwarding Service into Transportation & Warehousing, Value-Added Services, Packaging, and Others

Transportation & Warehousing
Transportation & warehousing form the core of freight forwarding, accounting for approximately 60% of the market. These services ensure efficient cargo movement, inventory management, and storage solutions across global supply chains. Key factors include multimodal transport, real-time tracking, and optimized route planning.

Value-Added Services
Value-added services contribute around 20% of the market, offering enhancements like customs brokerage, freight insurance, documentation, and compliance support. These services are crucial for streamlining international shipments and ensuring regulatory adherence, especially in cross-border logistics.

Packaging
Packaging services represent about 12% of the freight forwarding segment. Specialized protective packaging, labeling, and handling instructions ensure that goods are secure during transit. This is particularly vital for fragile, hazardous, or temperature-sensitive products.

Others
The ‘Others’ category makes up roughly 8% of the market and includes niche services like reverse logistics, freight consolidation, and project cargo handling. These tailored solutions cater to complex logistics scenarios and industry-specific needs.

Freight Forwarding Market, Segmentation by Application

The Freight Forwarding Market has been segmented by Application into Industrial And Manufacturing, Retail, Healthcare, Oil And Gas, Food And Beverages, and Others.

Industrial and Manufacturing
The industrial and manufacturing sector is the largest application in the freight forwarding market, contributing nearly 30% of the global share. It demands bulk shipments, cross-border logistics, and timely delivery of raw materials and finished goods. Freight forwarders serve industries like automotive, machinery, and electronics with complex, multimodal solutions.

Retail
The retail sector accounts for around 20% of the freight forwarding market. With rising global consumer demand and omnichannel retailing, this segment requires fast, cost-efficient, and scalable logistics. Freight services in this domain are optimized for inventory movement, seasonal demand, and last-mile delivery.

Healthcare
Healthcare logistics, comprising about 12% of the market, is highly sensitive and regulated. This segment needs temperature-controlled transport, time-critical delivery, and secure handling for products such as pharmaceuticals, medical devices, and vaccines. Freight forwarding ensures compliance and traceability across global healthcare supply chains.

Oil and Gas
The oil and gas industry makes up roughly 10% of the freight forwarding market. It involves heavy equipment, hazardous materials, and operations in remote locations. Freight forwarders must meet strict safety standards, manage oversized cargo, and coordinate specialized logistics for upstream and downstream projects.

Food and Beverages
Food and beverages contribute about 15% to the freight forwarding market. This sector relies on cold chain logistics, timely deliveries, and regulatory compliance to maintain product quality. Freight forwarders play a crucial role in managing perishable goods across borders while minimizing spoilage and delays.

Others
The 'Others' segment covers emerging and niche sectors such as aerospace, telecommunications, education, and government shipments, collectively forming about 13% of the market. These applications require tailored freight solutions, from project cargo to time-sensitive deliveries and secure transport.

Freight Forwarding Market, Segmentation by Application

The Freight Forwarding Market has been segmented by Application into Industrial And Manufacturing, Retail, Healthcare, Oil And Gas, Food And Beverages, and Others.

Freight Forwarding Market, Segmentation by Geography

In this report, the Freight Forwarding Market has been segmented by Geography into five regions; North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America.

Freight Forwarding Market Share (%), by Geographical Region

North America
North America holds around 25% of the global freight forwarding market share. The region benefits from advanced infrastructure, high-value trade volumes, and a strong presence of multinational logistics providers. The U.S. and Canada lead the market, driven by sectors such as aerospace, automotive, and pharmaceuticals.

Europe
Europe accounts for approximately 22% of the freight forwarding market. With an established network of rail, road, and maritime infrastructure, the region excels in cross-border trade and multimodal logistics. Key markets include Germany, France, and the UK, supported by strong regulations and technology adoption.

Asia Pacific
Asia Pacific is the largest and fastest-growing region, commanding nearly 35% of the freight forwarding market. Countries like China, India, and Japan are driving demand due to booming manufacturing, e-commerce, and export-import activities. The region is pivotal in global trade corridors.

Middle East and Africa
Middle East and Africa collectively hold about 10% of the market. The segment is growing steadily with increasing investments in logistics hubs, free trade zones, and port modernization. The UAE, Saudi Arabia, and South Africa are key contributors, focusing on energy and infrastructure trade.

Latin America
Latin America makes up roughly 8% of the freight forwarding market. Countries like Brazil, Mexico, and Chile are strengthening their positions through trade reforms, customs digitization, and investments in transport infrastructure. Growth is supported by agriculture, mining, and consumer goods.

This report provides an in depth analysis of various factors that impact the dynamics of Global Freight Forwarding Market. These factors include; Market Drivers, Restraints, and Opportunities.

Drivers:

• Globalization and International Trade
• Rising Middle Class and Consumer Demand
• Government Initiatives and Trade Agreements
• Increasing Demand for Specialized Services

• Growing Manufacturing Sector - The growing manufacturing sector serves as a significant driver for the global freight forwarding market. As manufacturing activities expand across various industries, including automotive, electronics, and consumer goods, the demand for efficient transportation and logistics solutions increases. Manufacturers rely on freight forwarders to manage the movement of raw materials, components, and finished products within complex supply chains, both domestically and internationally.

  One of the key factors driving the growth of the manufacturing sector is globalization. With companies increasingly sourcing materials and components from different parts of the world to optimize costs and access specialized expertise, the need for reliable freight forwarding services becomes paramount. Freight forwarders play a crucial role in coordinating the transportation of goods across borders, ensuring timely delivery and supply chain efficiency.

  The rise of industrialization in emerging markets fuels the expansion of the manufacturing sector. Countries such as China, India, and Vietnam have witnessed rapid industrial growth, attracting investment from multinational corporations seeking to capitalize on the availability of skilled labor and favorable business environments. Freight forwarders support this growth by providing tailored logistics solutions to meet the unique needs of manufacturers operating in these regions.

Restraints:

• Labor Shortages
• Geopolitical Uncertainty
• Infrastructure Constraints
• Cybersecurity Risks

• Complex Customs Procedures - Complex customs procedures pose a significant restraint to the global freight forwarding market. Navigating customs regulations can be a challenging and time-consuming process, especially for freight forwarders operating across international borders. Each country has its own set of customs laws and requirements, including documentation, tariffs, taxes, and other import/export restrictions. These variations add complexity to freight forwarding operations and can lead to delays in the movement of goods.

  Freight forwarders must stay updated with the ever-changing customs regulations in each market they operate in. This requires substantial expertise and resources to ensure compliance with all legal requirements, as any oversight can result in fines, penalties, or the confiscation of goods. This complexity can hinder efficient and timely transportation of goods, impacting the overall supply chain.

  Customs procedures often involve multiple steps and interactions with various authorities, which can slow down the customs clearance process. Delays at customs can cause disruptions in the supply chain, affecting delivery schedules and potentially increasing costs due to storage and demurrage fees. The complexity of customs procedures can also increase the risk of errors in documentation or classification, leading to further delays and additional costs for freight forwarders and their clients. For instance, incorrect product classification can result in higher duties or the shipment being held at customs for further inspection.

Opportunities:

• Digitalization and Automation
• Value-added Services
• Cross-border E-commerce
• Flexible Business Models

• Last-mile Delivery Solutions - Last-mile delivery solutions present a significant opportunity for the global freight forwarding market. The last mile of delivery, which involves transporting goods from a distribution hub to their final destination, is often the most challenging and expensive part of the logistics process. It is also a critical touchpoint where customer satisfaction can be significantly influenced. As e-commerce continues to grow and consumer expectations for faster and more convenient delivery options rise, last-mile delivery solutions have become increasingly important.

  One opportunity lies in the development of innovative technologies and strategies to optimize last-mile delivery processes. This includes route optimization algorithms, real-time tracking systems, and alternative delivery methods such as drones and autonomous vehicles. By leveraging these technologies, freight forwarders can improve delivery efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance customer satisfaction.

  Another opportunity lies in partnerships and collaborations with local delivery providers and logistics startups specializing in last-mile delivery. By partnering with these companies, freight forwarders can extend their reach and offer comprehensive end-to-end logistics solutions to their customers. This not only enhances the value proposition but also enables freight forwarders to tap into new markets and customer segments.

Key players in Global Freight Forwarding Market include:

• Kuehne + Nagel International AG
• DB Schenker
• Bollore Logistics
• DHL Global Forwarding
• Nippon Express Co., Ltd.
• Dsv Global Transports and Logistics
• The Maersk Group
• C.H. Robinson
• Panalpina
• United Parcel Service
• FedEx Corp.
• Walmart Group
• MGF (Manitoulin Global Forwarding)
• Hellmann Worldwide Logistics
• Expeditors International
• Dachser
• Imerco
• Sinotrans India Private Limited
• CEVA Logistics
• Uber Freight LLC*

In this report, the profile of each market player provides following information:

• Company Overview and Product Portfolio
• Key Developments
• Financial Overview
• Strategies
• Company SWOT Analysis