Freight Forwarding Market by Service Type, Transportation Mode (Air, Ocean, Road, Rail, Multimodal), Customer Type (B2B, B2C), End User & Geography - Global Forecast to 2035

The global freight forwarding market was valued at $478.2 billion in 2024. This market is expected to reach approximately $782.4 billion by 2035, growing from an estimated $498.5 billion in 2025, at a CAGR of 4.6% during the forecast period of 2025-2035.

Report Overview

This comprehensive market research report analyzes the global freight forwarding market, evaluating how service providers are addressing the increasing globalization and international trade, growth in e-commerce and cross-border shopping, rising demand for just-in-time delivery services, and advancements in supply chain visibility solutions across various regions. The report provides a strategic analysis of market dynamics, growth projections till 2035, and competitive positioning across global and regional/country-level markets.

Key Market Drivers & Trends

The freight forwarding market is primarily driven by globalization and increasing international trade, growth in e-commerce and cross-border shopping, rising demand for just-in-time delivery services, and advancements in supply chain visibility solutions. The digital freight forwarding platforms and online booking, consolidation through mergers and acquisitions, expansion of multimodal transport solutions, and emphasis on last-mile delivery optimization are reshaping the industry, while integration of advanced technologies (IoT, AI, Blockchain) and green logistics and sustainable freight solutions are gaining significant traction. Additionally, growth potential in emerging markets and value-added services expansion are further driving market growth, especially in developed markets with advanced logistics infrastructure.

Key Challenges

Despite significant growth potential, the overall freight forwarding market faces challenges including geopolitical tensions and trade wars, high operating costs and price competition, complex regulatory frameworks across different countries, and capacity constraints in peak seasons. Additionally, market volatility and freight rate fluctuations, cybersecurity threats and data protection, shortage of skilled labor, and adapting to changing customer expectations present significant obstacles, potentially slowing down market adoption in different regions across the globe.

Growth Opportunities

The freight forwarding market offers several high-growth opportunities. Integration of advanced technologies (IoT, AI, Blockchain) is driving innovation across multiple segments. Another major opportunity lies in growth potential in emerging markets. Additionally, green logistics and sustainable freight solutions and value-added services expansion are creating new revenue streams for service providers, as organizations increasingly seek environmentally responsible and comprehensive logistics solutions.

Market Segmentation Highlights

By Service Type

The Transportation and Cargo Handling segment is expected to hold the largest share of the overall freight forwarding market in 2025, due to its fundamental role in global trade and logistics operations. The Digital Freight Forwarding Services segment is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period, driven by increasing digitalization, demand for real-time tracking, and the push for more efficient and transparent freight management systems.

By Transportation Mode

The Ocean Freight segment is expected to dominate the overall freight forwarding market in 2025, primarily due to its cost-effectiveness for international shipping and ability to transport large volumes of goods. Air Freight follows closely for high-value and time-sensitive cargo. However, the Multimodal Transportation segment is expected to grow at a significant CAGR through the forecast period, driven by increasing need for optimized logistics solutions that combine efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability.

By Customer Type

The B2B segment (particularly Large Enterprises) is expected to hold the largest share of the overall freight forwarding market in 2025, primarily due to established international supply chains and higher shipping volumes. The B2C segment, especially E-Commerce Platforms, is expected to witness the fastest growth during the forecast period, driven by expanding cross-border e-commerce, increasing consumer expectations for international shipping, and growing direct-to-consumer business models.

By End User

The Retail and E-commerce segment is expected to dominate the overall freight forwarding market in 2025, primarily due to the explosive growth of online shopping and cross-border e-commerce. Manufacturing follows closely, leveraging from global supply chain networks. However, the Healthcare and Pharmaceuticals segment is expected to grow at a significant CAGR through the forecast period, driven by increasing pharmaceutical trade, growing healthcare needs globally, and the specialized requirements for temperature-controlled and time-sensitive medical shipments.

By Geography

Asia-Pacific is expected to hold the largest share of the global freight forwarding market in 2025, driven by China's manufacturing dominance, rapidly growing economies, increasing trade volumes, and significant investments in logistics infrastructure. The region's role as a global manufacturing hub, expanding middle class, and growing e-commerce sectors contribute to its market dominance.

While Asia-Pacific leads in market share, Latin America is projected to witness the fastest growth rate during the forecast period. This rapid growth is primarily driven by increasing international trade agreements, expanding e-commerce adoption, growing manufacturing sectors, and significant investments in logistics infrastructure development. Emerging markets in Latin America are experiencing transformative logistics infrastructure development, creating substantial opportunities for freight forwarding services.

Additionally, emerging markets in North America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa are showing promising growth potential, driven by technological advancements in logistics, increasing cross-border trade, growing emphasis on supply chain optimization, and the diverse applications of freight forwarding across multiple sectors. However, these regions remain smaller compared to the dominant Asia-Pacific market and the rapidly growing Latin American market.

Competitive Landscape

The global freight forwarding market features a diverse competitive landscape with established logistics giants, specialized freight forwarders, regional leaders, and innovative digital startups pursuing varied approaches to freight forwarding services and implementation.

The broader service provider landscape is categorized into industry leaders, market differentiators, vanguards, and contemporary stalwarts, with each group employing distinctive strategies to maintain competitive advantage. Leading providers are focusing on integrated solutions that combine traditional freight forwarding with advanced technological platforms while addressing region-specific regulatory and operational challenges.

The key players operating in the global freight forwarding market are DHL Global Forwarding (Deutsche Post DHL Group), Kuehne + Nagel International AG, DSV Panalpina A/S, DB Schenker, Expeditors International of Washington, Inc., C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc., Nippon Express Co., Ltd., UPS Supply Chain Solutions, Sinotrans Limited, Bolloré Logistics, CEVA Logistics (CMA CGM Group), Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, GEODIS, Agility Public Warehousing Company K.S.C.P., Panalpina World Transport (Holding) Ltd., Kerry Logistics Network Limited, Flexport, Inc., Yusen Logistics Co., Ltd., FedEx Logistics, Inc., and Freight Systems Inc. among others.

Freight Forwarding Market Research Report Summary

Key Questions Answered in the Report: