Market Overview

The Freight Forwarding Market is undergoing steady transformation as international trade, cross-border e-commerce, supply-chain diversification, and digital logistics technologies reshape the movement of goods. According to Maximize Market Research, the global Freight Forwarding Market was valued at USD 205.74 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.4% from 2025 to 2032, reaching nearly USD 260 billion by 2032. Freight forwarding encompasses the coordination of shipments through air, ocean, rail, and road networks, together with customs documentation, freight consolidation, rate negotiation, tracking, warehousing, and other logistics services.

The market is benefiting from expanding international trade agreements, increasing cross-border commerce, rising e-commerce volumes, and the growing complexity of global supply chains. The adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), automation, predictive analytics, real-time shipment visibility, and digital freight platforms is creating additional opportunities. AI can automate documentation, optimize routing, compare freight options, forecast disruptions, and improve cost management. At the same time, manufacturers are increasingly adopting multi-sourcing, regional production, and diversified transportation networks, creating demand for flexible freight-forwarding partners. The major opportunity lies in combining global forwarding networks with digital platforms that can provide end-to-end visibility and faster customs and documentation processes.

U.S. Market Trends and Investment in 2025

The United States remained a central freight-forwarding market in 2025 amid changing trade policies, tariff uncertainty, e-commerce demand, supply-chain restructuring, and increased investment in technology-enabled logistics. Kuehne+Nagel reported that concerns over U.S. trade tariffs in early 2025 contributed to a sudden increase in demand for sea and air freight capacity. Major logistics companies also expanded U.S. infrastructure. In March 2025, DHL announced plans for 10 dedicated North American data-center logistics sites totaling more than 7 million square feet, designed to support the movement of high-value IT hardware and specialized transportation requirements. Kuehne+Nagel further strengthened its U.S. forwarding network by acquiring 51% of IMC Unity Holdco for CHF 510 million, expanding its access to major U.S. ports and rail hubs. These investments demonstrate how data centers, technology manufacturing, intermodal transportation, and supply-chain resilience are becoming important growth areas for U.S. freight forwarding.

Request To Free Sample of This Strategic Report ➤ https://www.maximizemarketresearch.com/request-sample/148362/ 

Market Segmentation – Largest Market Share

By Mode of Transport

• Air

• Ocean

• Rail

• Road

By Application

• Industrial and Manufacturing

• Retail

• Healthcare

• Media and Entertainment

• Military

• Oil and Gas

• Food and Beverages

• Others

By Customer Type

• B2B

• B2C

By Service

• Transportation and Warehousing

• Packaging and Documentation

• Insurance

• Value-Added Services

By Region

• North America

  • United States

  • Canada

  • Mexico

• Europe

  • UK

  • France

  • Germany

  • Italy

  • Spain

  • Sweden

  • Austria

  • Rest of Europe

• Asia Pacific

  • China

  • South Korea

  • Japan

  • India

  • Australia

  • Indonesia

  • Malaysia

  • Vietnam

  • Taiwan

  • Bangladesh

  • Pakistan

  • Rest of APAC

• Middle East and Africa

  • South Africa

  • GCC

  • Egypt

  • Nigeria

  • Rest of ME&A

• South America

  • Brazil

  • Argentina

  • Rest of South America

Competitive Analysis

The freight-forwarding industry remains fragmented, although major international providers continue to expand through acquisitions, technology investments, and integrated logistics services. DSV's 2025 annual-report information identifies DSV + Schenker at approximately 6% of global freight-forwarding revenue, DHL Logistics at about 5%, and Kuehne+Nagel at about 4%, while the top 20 forwarders collectively account for roughly 40% of the market.

DSV A/S: DSV completed its acquisition of DB Schenker on April 30, 2025, in a transaction valued at approximately EUR 14.3 billion. The combination created a significantly expanded global network, while DSV estimated annual synergies of approximately DKK 9 billion by the end of 2028. The enlarged network across air, ocean, road, and contract logistics is expected to increase operational scale and service integration.

DHL Global Forwarding: DHL continues to focus on digitalization, automation, AI, and specialized logistics infrastructure. In November 2025, DHL Global Forwarding, Freight introduced an “Accelerated Digitalization” structure intended to scale AI-powered solutions and strengthen customer responsiveness. DHL also identifies digitalization, AI, and automation as important tools for improving logistics productivity.

Kuehne+Nagel International AG: Kuehne+Nagel has increased investment in AI-supported customs processing and digital logistics. Its 2025 investments included the acquisition of 51% of U.S.-based IMC Unity and acquisitions supporting road and specialized forwarding services. The company has also been deploying AI assistants capable of summarizing documents and preparing customs declarations, potentially reducing processing time and improving accuracy.

Expeditors International: Expeditors continues to invest in its globally connected logistics technology platform, advanced analytics, automation, and AI. Its 2025 annual report states that the company is enhancing its core systems and evaluating AI solutions, particularly in customs brokerage and compliance, where automation can reduce processing time and improve operational efficiency.

A.P. Moller–Maersk: Maersk is integrating forwarding, logistics, and technology capabilities across its global network. At its 2025 Code Cargo technology event, the company highlighted AI, data science, platform engineering, and its Star Connect AI-powered fleet energy-efficiency platform, which processes more than 2.5 billion IoT data points in real time. Such technologies can improve transportation efficiency and support more data-driven freight operations.

Regional Analysis

United States: North America was the largest regional market, accounting for 32% of the global Freight Forwarding Market in 2025, according to MMR. The United States benefits from its large economy, extensive international trading relationships, sophisticated transportation infrastructure, and strong demand for air, ocean, road, and rail logistics.

United Kingdom: The UK benefits from its position as an international trading and logistics hub, supported by major ports, air-cargo infrastructure, and continued development of digital customs and supply-chain systems. Its trade links with Europe and global markets create sustained demand for forwarding services.

Germany: Germany's manufacturing base, automotive exports, industrial production, and central European location support freight-forwarding demand. The country's extensive road, rail, inland-waterway, and port infrastructure provides opportunities for multimodal forwarding.

France: France benefits from its large consumer market, industrial base, major ports, airports, and connections with European trade corridors. Investment in logistics modernization and multimodal transportation supports forwarding activity.

Japan: Japan's export-oriented manufacturing economy, particularly automotive and electronics industries, creates consistent demand for international air and ocean freight forwarding. Advanced logistics infrastructure and technology adoption provide additional opportunities.

China: China remains a major global manufacturing and trading economy, supporting substantial demand for ocean, air, rail, and multimodal forwarding. The country's extensive port infrastructure and international trade relationships also support continued market development. MMR identifies Asia Pacific as the fastest-growing regional area because of expanding logistics activity in ASEAN and major economies including China and India.

Request To Free Sample of This Strategic Report ➤ https://www.maximizemarketresearch.com/request-sample/148362/ 

Key Players

1. Agility
2. Bolloré Logistics
3. CEVA Logistics
4. Sinotrans India Private Limited
5. DB Schenker
6. DHL Global Forwarding
7. Imerco
8. Dachser
9. DSV Panalpina A/S
10. Expeditors International
11. Hellmann Worldwide Logistics
12. Kuehne + Nagel International AG
13. MGF (Manitoulin Global Forwarding)
14. Nippon Express Co.
15. UPS Supply Chain Solutions

Conclusion

The Freight Forwarding Market is positioned for sustained expansion as global trade, e-commerce, manufacturing diversification, and supply-chain resilience continue to generate transportation requirements. MMR forecasts growth from USD 205.74 billion in 2025 to nearly USD 260 billion by 2032, representing a 3.4% CAGR. The major growth opportunity is the convergence of freight forwarding and digital technology. AI-based documentation, automated customs processing, real-time visibility, predictive analytics, smart routing, and integrated multimodal platforms can help forwarders reduce costs and respond faster to disruptions. At the same time, strategic acquisitions and investments in specialized logistics infrastructure are increasing the scale and capabilities of leading providers. Companies that combine broad international networks with technology-enabled, flexible, and sustainable logistics solutions are likely to capture opportunities created by increasingly complex global supply chains.

About Maximize Market Research

Maximize Market Research Pvt. Ltd. (MMR) is a global market research and consulting company that provides reliable, data-focused, and practical business insights. The firm serves a wide range of industries, including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, technology, automotive, electronics, chemicals, personal care, and consumer goods. Through market forecasts, competitive analysis, strategic consulting, and industry impact assessments, MMR helps organizations understand changing market conditions, identify growth opportunities, and make informed business decisions for long-term success.

Contact Us

2nd Floor, Navale IT Park Phase 3
Pune Banglore Highway, Narhe
Pune, Maharashtra 411041, India
+91 9607365656
[email protected]