Sea Freight Forwarding

Global Sea Freight Forwarding Market to Reach US$92.8 Billion by 2030

The global market for Sea Freight Forwarding estimated at US$75.6 Billion in the year 2024, is expected to reach US$92.8 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 3.5% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Less-than Container Load (LCL), one of the segments analyzed in the report, is expected to record a 2.9% CAGR and reach US$56.6 Billion by the end of the analysis period. Growth in the Full Container Load (FCL) segment is estimated at 4.3% CAGR over the analysis period.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at US$20.4 Billion While China is Forecast to Grow at 6.5% CAGR

The Sea Freight Forwarding market in the U.S. is estimated at US$20.4 Billion in the year 2024. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$19.2 Billion by the year 2030 trailing a CAGR of 6.5% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at a CAGR of 1.1% and 2.5% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 1.8% CAGR.

Global Sea Freight Forwarding Market - Key Trends and Drivers Summarized

Sea freight forwarding is a critical component of the global supply chain, facilitating the movement of goods across international waters. This method of transportation is favored for its cost-effectiveness, especially for large, bulky, or non-urgent shipments that need to traverse long distances. Sea freight forwarders act as intermediaries between shippers and various transportation services, coordinating the logistics of shipping, including the consolidation of cargo, booking space on ships, and handling customs documentation and compliance. The complexity of international shipping regulations and the need for meticulous planning to ensure timely and safe delivery make the role of sea freight forwarders indispensable. These professionals leverage their expertise and extensive networks to provide efficient, reliable, and scalable shipping solutions.

Recent trends in sea freight forwarding have been shaped by technological advancements and changing market dynamics. Digitalization has revolutionized the industry, with the adoption of advanced software and platforms enabling real-time tracking, enhanced communication, and better data management. These technologies improve transparency and efficiency, allowing both shippers and forwarders to monitor shipments more closely and optimize routes and schedules. Additionally, the push towards sustainability has led to innovations in fuel efficiency and the exploration of alternative energy sources for ships, reflecting the industry’s response to increasing environmental regulations and consumer demand for greener logistics solutions. The COVID-19 pandemic has also underscored the importance of flexibility and resilience in the supply chain, prompting forwarders to diversify their services and adapt to disruptions swiftly.

The growth in the sea freight forwarding market is driven by several factors, including the expansion of global trade, the rise of e-commerce, and advancements in digital technology. The continuous growth of international trade, spurred by economic globalization and the interdependence of markets, fuels demand for reliable and cost-effective sea freight services. The e-commerce boom has significantly increased the volume of goods requiring efficient shipping solutions, further boosting the market. Additionally, digital technologies such as blockchain, IoT, and AI are enhancing operational efficiencies, improving security, and reducing costs, thereby driving the adoption of advanced freight forwarding solutions. Regulatory changes aimed at improving the sustainability and security of shipping practices are also shaping the market, pushing companies to innovate and adopt new standards. As these factors converge, the sea freight forwarding market is poised for robust growth, continually adapting to the evolving needs of global commerce and technological advancements.

SCOPE OF STUDY:

The report analyzes the Sea Freight Forwarding market in terms of units by the following Segments, and Geographic Regions/Countries:

Segments:
Type (Less-than Container Load (LCL), Full Container Load (FCL)); End-Use (Manufacturing End-Use, Retail & Consumer Goods End-Use, Healthcare End-Use, Other End-Uses)

Geographic Regions/Countries:
World; United States; Canada; Japan; China; Europe (France; Germany; Italy; United Kingdom; Spain; Russia; and Rest of Europe); Asia-Pacific (Australia; India; South Korea; and Rest of Asia-Pacific); Latin America (Argentina; Brazil; Mexico; and Rest of Latin America); Middle East (Iran; Israel; Saudi Arabia; United Arab Emirates; and Rest of Middle East); and Africa.

Select Competitors (Total 34 Featured) -

• C.H. Robinson Worldwide, Inc.
• CEVA Logistics SA
• DB Schenker
• DHL International GmbH
• Expeditors International of Washington, Inc.
• Fr. Meyer`s Sohn (GmbH & Co.) KG
• GEODIS SA
• Hellmann Worldwide Logistics SE & Co. KG
• Kerry Logistics Network Limited
• Kintetsu World Express, Inc.
• Kuehne + Nagel International AG
• Mainfreight Ltd.
• Nippon Express Co., Ltd.
• Sinotrans Ltd.
• UPS Supply Chain Solutions, Inc.

TARIFF IMPACT FACTOR

Our new release incorporates impact of tariffs on geographical markets as we predict a shift in competitiveness of companies based on HQ country, manufacturing base, exports and imports (finished goods and OEM). This intricate and multifaceted market reality will impact competitors by artificially increasing the COGS, reducing profitability, reconfiguring supply chains, amongst other micro and macro market dynamics.

We are diligently following expert opinions of leading Chief Economists (14,949), Think Tanks (62), Trade & Industry bodies (171) worldwide, as they assess impact and address new market realities for their ecosystems. Experts and economists from every major country are tracked for their opinions on tariffs and how they will impact their countries.

We expect this chaos to play out over the next 2-3 months and a new world order is established with more clarity. We are tracking these developments on a real time basis.

As we release this report, U.S. Trade Representatives are pushing their counterparts in 183 countries for an early closure to bilateral tariff negotiations. Most of the major trading partners also have initiated trade agreements with other key trading nations, outside of those in the works with the United States. We are tracking such secondary fallouts as supply chains shift.

To our valued clients, we say, we have your back. We will present a simplified market reassessment by incorporating these changes!

APRIL 2025: NEGOTIATION PHASE

Our April release addresses the impact of tariffs on the overall global market and presents market adjustments by geography. Our trajectories are based on historic data and evolving market impacting factors.

JULY 2025 FINAL TARIFF RESET

Complimentary Update: Our clients will also receive a complimentary update in July after a final reset is announced between nations. The final updated version incorporates clearly defined Tariff Impact Analyses.

Reciprocal and Bilateral Trade & Tariff Impact Analyses:

USA
CHINA
MEXICO
CANADA
EU
JAPAN
INDIA
176 OTHER COUNTRIES.

Leading Economists - Our knowledge base tracks 14,949 economists including a select group of most influential Chief Economists of nations, think tanks, trade and industry bodies, big enterprises, and domain experts who are sharing views on the fallout of this unprecedented paradigm shift in the global econometric landscape. Most of our 16,491+ reports have incorporated this two-stage release schedule based on milestones.

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