GITNUXREPORT 2026

Cargo Industry Statistics

The cargo industry is massive, growing fast, and now urgently working to reduce its emissions.

Sarah Mitchell

Sarah Mitchell

Senior Researcher specializing in consumer behavior and market trends.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

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Key Statistics

Statistic 1

In 2023, the international air cargo market handled 62.3 million metric tons of freight, marking a 1.3% increase year-over-year.

Statistic 2

Air cargo demand surged by 11.3% in 2021, with e-commerce contributing 25% of total volumes.

Statistic 3

DHL Express handled 2.1 billion shipments in 2022, with air cargo comprising 40% of its network.

Statistic 4

FedEx air cargo volume reached 4.2 million metric tons in fiscal 2023, up 7% YoY.

Statistic 5

Emirates SkyCargo carried 2.1 million tonnes in 2022/23, serving 130+ destinations.

Statistic 6

Qatar Airways Cargo fleet of 28 freighters handled 1.5 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 7

UPS air cargo volume was 5.3 million metric tons in 2022.

Statistic 8

Turkish Airlines Cargo transported 1.4 million tons in 2022 across 315 destinations.

Statistic 9

Lufthansa Cargo Group volume 1.9 million metric tons in 2022.

Statistic 10

Korean Air Cargo carried 1.2 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 11

Cathay Pacific Cargo 1.05 million tons in 2022.

Statistic 12

Air France-KLM Cargo 1.1 million tons FY2022.

Statistic 13

ANA Cargo Japan 1.3 million tons FY2022.

Statistic 14

Polar Air Cargo partners handled 500k tons 2022.

Statistic 15

Nippon Cargo Airlines 850k tons FY2022.

Statistic 16

Atlas Air 1 million tons 2022.

Statistic 17

Cargolux 420k tons 2022.

Statistic 18

The U.S. trucking industry transported 72.5% of the nation's freight by value and over 72.1% by tonnage in 2022.

Statistic 19

Rail freight in Europe carried 463 billion tonne-kilometers in 2021, representing 18% of total inland freight.

Statistic 20

U.S. road freight revenue hit USD 937 billion in 2022, with trucks moving 10.47 billion tons of goods.

Statistic 21

China's rail freight volume was 4.65 billion tons in 2022, up 2.4% from prior year.

Statistic 22

EU road freight accounted for 76% of inland transport volume at 1,780 billion tonne-km in 2021.

Statistic 23

India's road freight market was INR 7.5 trillion in FY2022, with 70% unorganized.

Statistic 24

Brazil's rail freight volume reached 241 million tons in 2022, up 3%.

Statistic 25

Russia's rail freight hit 1.29 billion tons in 2022, 2% growth.

Statistic 26

Germany's road freight was 3.4 billion tons in 2022.

Statistic 27

Japan's rail freight 96 million tons in FY2022.

Statistic 28

France road freight 1.8 billion ton-km in 2022.

Statistic 29

UK rail freight 60 million tons in 2022/23.

Statistic 30

Australia road freight AUD 120 billion 2022.

Statistic 31

Canada rail freight 338 million tons 2022.

Statistic 32

Mexico road freight 1.2 billion tons 2022.

Statistic 33

South Africa rail freight 20 million tons 2022.

Statistic 34

Indonesia road freight 1.5 billion tons 2022.

Statistic 35

Container shipping accounted for 90% of global non-bulk cargo trade volume in 2022, with 180 million TEUs shipped worldwide.

Statistic 36

In 2022, the global container port throughput reached 807 million TEUs, up 2.6% from 2021.

Statistic 37

Dry bulk carriers transported 5.3 billion tons of cargo in 2022, led by iron ore at 1.2 billion tons.

Statistic 38

LNG carriers fleet grew to 562 vessels in 2023, carrying 175 million tons annually.

Statistic 39

Global tanker fleet transported 3.2 billion tons of oil in 2022, with VLCCs handling 60%.

Statistic 40

Panama Canal transited 38,388 vessels in FY2022, carrying 591.6 million tonnes.

Statistic 41

Suez Canal revenue hit USD 9.4 billion in FY2022/23 with 25,887 transits.

Statistic 42

Global ro-ro cargo volume was 140 million vehicles in 2022.

Statistic 43

Maersk handled 12 million FFE in 2022, 2.1% market share.

Statistic 44

Baltic Dry Index averaged 1,800 points in 2022.

Statistic 45

Singapore port handled 37.3 million TEUs in 2022.

Statistic 46

Shanghai port 47.3 million TEUs in 2022.

Statistic 47

Rotterdam port 14.5 million TEUs 2022.

Statistic 48

Busan port 22.8 million TEUs 2022.

Statistic 49

Ningbo-Zhoushan port 33.35 million TEUs 2022.

Statistic 50

Antwerp port 12.5 million TEUs 2022.

Statistic 51

Dubai Jebel Ali port 13.7 million TEUs 2022.

Statistic 52

The global cargo shipping market size was valued at approximately USD 14.18 trillion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 16.52 trillion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 3.07%.

Statistic 53

Global freight and logistics market revenue reached USD 5.4 trillion in 2022, expected to grow to USD 12.2 trillion by 2030 at a CAGR of 10.7%.

Statistic 54

The Asia-Pacific region dominated the cargo shipping market with 45% share in 2022, valued at USD 6.38 trillion.

Statistic 55

Global air freight market projected to grow from USD 139.64 billion in 2023 to USD 192.85 billion by 2030 at CAGR 4.6%.

Statistic 56

U.S. freight forwarding market size was USD 30.5 billion in 2022, growing at 4.2% CAGR.

Statistic 57

International road freight market valued at EUR 100 billion in 2022 in Europe.

Statistic 58

Global cargo drone market expected to reach USD 5.2 billion by 2027 from USD 0.8 billion in 2020.

Statistic 59

Middle East cargo shipping market grew at 4.5% CAGR to USD 1.2 trillion in 2022.

Statistic 60

North America freight brokerage market size USD 100 billion in 2023.

Statistic 61

Latin America cargo market projected USD 300 billion by 2025.

Statistic 62

Europe air cargo market USD 25 billion in 2022.

Statistic 63

Africa freight logistics market USD 50 billion in 2022.

Statistic 64

China freight forwarding market USD 150 billion 2022.

Statistic 65

SEA air cargo market USD 15 billion 2022.

Statistic 66

India logistics market USD 215 billion FY2022.

Statistic 67

Global cold chain logistics USD 250 billion 2022.

Statistic 68

Australia freight market AUD 150 billion 2022.

Statistic 69

Maritime transport emissions accounted for 3% of global GHG emissions in 2018, with projections to rise to 17% by 2050 without mitigation.

Statistic 70

By 2030, the cargo industry aims for net-zero emissions through adoption of alternative fuels like LNG and hydrogen.

Statistic 71

Electrification of freight trucks could reduce CO2 emissions by 40% by 2040 in Europe.

Statistic 72

Cargo industry digitalization expected to save USD 1.5 trillion annually by 2030 through automation.

Statistic 73

Hydrogen-powered ships could cut maritime emissions by 30% by 2035.

Statistic 74

Blockchain in cargo logistics projected to reduce documentation time by 80% by 2025.

Statistic 75

Autonomous trucks could cut freight costs by 45% by 2040.

Statistic 76

Green corridors in shipping could reduce emissions by 20% by 2030.

Statistic 77

AI in logistics to optimize routes saving 10-20% fuel by 2025.

Statistic 78

Carbon capture tech for ships to offset 5-10% emissions by 2030.

Statistic 79

Biofuels adoption in aviation cargo to cut 80% lifecycle emissions.

Statistic 80

IoT sensors in containers to reduce losses by 25%.

Statistic 81

Wind-assisted propulsion for ships saves 5-20% fuel.

Statistic 82

3D printing spares reduces air cargo needs by 30%.

Statistic 83

Predictive analytics cuts cargo delays by 15-20%.

Statistic 84

Electrified rail freight emissions 90% lower than road.

Statistic 85

Zero-emission vessels 10% of fleet by 2030 goal.

Sources
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Imagine a world where nearly everything you own, from your morning coffee to the car you drive, has silently circled the globe on a vast, multi-trillion-dollar network of ships, planes, and trucks—a complex ballet of logistics that powers our daily lives, drives economic growth, and faces a monumental challenge in reshaping its environmental footprint for the future.

Key Takeaways

  • The global cargo shipping market size was valued at approximately USD 14.18 trillion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 16.52 trillion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 3.07%.
  • Global freight and logistics market revenue reached USD 5.4 trillion in 2022, expected to grow to USD 12.2 trillion by 2030 at a CAGR of 10.7%.
  • The Asia-Pacific region dominated the cargo shipping market with 45% share in 2022, valued at USD 6.38 trillion.
  • In 2023, the international air cargo market handled 62.3 million metric tons of freight, marking a 1.3% increase year-over-year.
  • Air cargo demand surged by 11.3% in 2021, with e-commerce contributing 25% of total volumes.
  • DHL Express handled 2.1 billion shipments in 2022, with air cargo comprising 40% of its network.
  • Container shipping accounted for 90% of global non-bulk cargo trade volume in 2022, with 180 million TEUs shipped worldwide.
  • In 2022, the global container port throughput reached 807 million TEUs, up 2.6% from 2021.
  • Dry bulk carriers transported 5.3 billion tons of cargo in 2022, led by iron ore at 1.2 billion tons.
  • The U.S. trucking industry transported 72.5% of the nation's freight by value and over 72.1% by tonnage in 2022.
  • Rail freight in Europe carried 463 billion tonne-kilometers in 2021, representing 18% of total inland freight.
  • U.S. road freight revenue hit USD 937 billion in 2022, with trucks moving 10.47 billion tons of goods.
  • Maritime transport emissions accounted for 3% of global GHG emissions in 2018, with projections to rise to 17% by 2050 without mitigation.
  • By 2030, the cargo industry aims for net-zero emissions through adoption of alternative fuels like LNG and hydrogen.
  • Electrification of freight trucks could reduce CO2 emissions by 40% by 2040 in Europe.

The cargo industry is massive, growing fast, and now urgently working to reduce its emissions.

Air Cargo Statistics

  • In 2023, the international air cargo market handled 62.3 million metric tons of freight, marking a 1.3% increase year-over-year.
  • Air cargo demand surged by 11.3% in 2021, with e-commerce contributing 25% of total volumes.
  • DHL Express handled 2.1 billion shipments in 2022, with air cargo comprising 40% of its network.
  • FedEx air cargo volume reached 4.2 million metric tons in fiscal 2023, up 7% YoY.
  • Emirates SkyCargo carried 2.1 million tonnes in 2022/23, serving 130+ destinations.
  • Qatar Airways Cargo fleet of 28 freighters handled 1.5 million tons in 2022.
  • UPS air cargo volume was 5.3 million metric tons in 2022.
  • Turkish Airlines Cargo transported 1.4 million tons in 2022 across 315 destinations.
  • Lufthansa Cargo Group volume 1.9 million metric tons in 2022.
  • Korean Air Cargo carried 1.2 million tons in 2022.
  • Cathay Pacific Cargo 1.05 million tons in 2022.
  • Air France-KLM Cargo 1.1 million tons FY2022.
  • ANA Cargo Japan 1.3 million tons FY2022.
  • Polar Air Cargo partners handled 500k tons 2022.
  • Nippon Cargo Airlines 850k tons FY2022.
  • Atlas Air 1 million tons 2022.
  • Cargolux 420k tons 2022.

Air Cargo Statistics Interpretation

While air cargo's 2023 growth may seem modest at 1.3%, it’s the booming final mile—where DHL’s billions of parcels and e-commerce’s relentless appetite meet FedEx and UPS’s millions of tons—that truly keeps the global economy aloft, one impatiently tracked shipment at a time.

Land Freight

  • The U.S. trucking industry transported 72.5% of the nation's freight by value and over 72.1% by tonnage in 2022.
  • Rail freight in Europe carried 463 billion tonne-kilometers in 2021, representing 18% of total inland freight.
  • U.S. road freight revenue hit USD 937 billion in 2022, with trucks moving 10.47 billion tons of goods.
  • China's rail freight volume was 4.65 billion tons in 2022, up 2.4% from prior year.
  • EU road freight accounted for 76% of inland transport volume at 1,780 billion tonne-km in 2021.
  • India's road freight market was INR 7.5 trillion in FY2022, with 70% unorganized.
  • Brazil's rail freight volume reached 241 million tons in 2022, up 3%.
  • Russia's rail freight hit 1.29 billion tons in 2022, 2% growth.
  • Germany's road freight was 3.4 billion tons in 2022.
  • Japan's rail freight 96 million tons in FY2022.
  • France road freight 1.8 billion ton-km in 2022.
  • UK rail freight 60 million tons in 2022/23.
  • Australia road freight AUD 120 billion 2022.
  • Canada rail freight 338 million tons 2022.
  • Mexico road freight 1.2 billion tons 2022.
  • South Africa rail freight 20 million tons 2022.
  • Indonesia road freight 1.5 billion tons 2022.

Land Freight Interpretation

While trucks rule the asphalt with overwhelming dominance in both value and volume, the rail network stubbornly clatters along as the indispensable, albeit less glamorous, backbone of continents.

Maritime Cargo

  • Container shipping accounted for 90% of global non-bulk cargo trade volume in 2022, with 180 million TEUs shipped worldwide.
  • In 2022, the global container port throughput reached 807 million TEUs, up 2.6% from 2021.
  • Dry bulk carriers transported 5.3 billion tons of cargo in 2022, led by iron ore at 1.2 billion tons.
  • LNG carriers fleet grew to 562 vessels in 2023, carrying 175 million tons annually.
  • Global tanker fleet transported 3.2 billion tons of oil in 2022, with VLCCs handling 60%.
  • Panama Canal transited 38,388 vessels in FY2022, carrying 591.6 million tonnes.
  • Suez Canal revenue hit USD 9.4 billion in FY2022/23 with 25,887 transits.
  • Global ro-ro cargo volume was 140 million vehicles in 2022.
  • Maersk handled 12 million FFE in 2022, 2.1% market share.
  • Baltic Dry Index averaged 1,800 points in 2022.
  • Singapore port handled 37.3 million TEUs in 2022.
  • Shanghai port 47.3 million TEUs in 2022.
  • Rotterdam port 14.5 million TEUs 2022.
  • Busan port 22.8 million TEUs 2022.
  • Ningbo-Zhoushan port 33.35 million TEUs 2022.
  • Antwerp port 12.5 million TEUs 2022.
  • Dubai Jebel Ali port 13.7 million TEUs 2022.

Maritime Cargo Interpretation

The world economy moves inside a box, as evidenced by 90% of its non-bulk trade being shipped in 180 million containers, a system so vital that its arteries—canals like Panama and Suez—generate billions in tolls while the competition to be the biggest hub is a race won in the tens of millions of TEUs.

Market Size & Economic Impact

  • The global cargo shipping market size was valued at approximately USD 14.18 trillion in 2022 and is projected to reach USD 16.52 trillion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 3.07%.
  • Global freight and logistics market revenue reached USD 5.4 trillion in 2022, expected to grow to USD 12.2 trillion by 2030 at a CAGR of 10.7%.
  • The Asia-Pacific region dominated the cargo shipping market with 45% share in 2022, valued at USD 6.38 trillion.
  • Global air freight market projected to grow from USD 139.64 billion in 2023 to USD 192.85 billion by 2030 at CAGR 4.6%.
  • U.S. freight forwarding market size was USD 30.5 billion in 2022, growing at 4.2% CAGR.
  • International road freight market valued at EUR 100 billion in 2022 in Europe.
  • Global cargo drone market expected to reach USD 5.2 billion by 2027 from USD 0.8 billion in 2020.
  • Middle East cargo shipping market grew at 4.5% CAGR to USD 1.2 trillion in 2022.
  • North America freight brokerage market size USD 100 billion in 2023.
  • Latin America cargo market projected USD 300 billion by 2025.
  • Europe air cargo market USD 25 billion in 2022.
  • Africa freight logistics market USD 50 billion in 2022.
  • China freight forwarding market USD 150 billion 2022.
  • SEA air cargo market USD 15 billion 2022.
  • India logistics market USD 215 billion FY2022.
  • Global cold chain logistics USD 250 billion 2022.
  • Australia freight market AUD 150 billion 2022.

Market Size & Economic Impact Interpretation

The world's economy moves at the speed of a supertanker, unless it’s a tiny drone carrying your next-day delivery, in which case we'll spend trillions to make sure you get your snacks on time.

Sustainability & Future Trends

  • Maritime transport emissions accounted for 3% of global GHG emissions in 2018, with projections to rise to 17% by 2050 without mitigation.
  • By 2030, the cargo industry aims for net-zero emissions through adoption of alternative fuels like LNG and hydrogen.
  • Electrification of freight trucks could reduce CO2 emissions by 40% by 2040 in Europe.
  • Cargo industry digitalization expected to save USD 1.5 trillion annually by 2030 through automation.
  • Hydrogen-powered ships could cut maritime emissions by 30% by 2035.
  • Blockchain in cargo logistics projected to reduce documentation time by 80% by 2025.
  • Autonomous trucks could cut freight costs by 45% by 2040.
  • Green corridors in shipping could reduce emissions by 20% by 2030.
  • AI in logistics to optimize routes saving 10-20% fuel by 2025.
  • Carbon capture tech for ships to offset 5-10% emissions by 2030.
  • Biofuels adoption in aviation cargo to cut 80% lifecycle emissions.
  • IoT sensors in containers to reduce losses by 25%.
  • Wind-assisted propulsion for ships saves 5-20% fuel.
  • 3D printing spares reduces air cargo needs by 30%.
  • Predictive analytics cuts cargo delays by 15-20%.
  • Electrified rail freight emissions 90% lower than road.
  • Zero-emission vessels 10% of fleet by 2030 goal.

Sustainability & Future Trends Interpretation

The cargo industry is facing a 'pick your poison' future, with a projected 17% share of global emissions by 2050 as its dreadful legacy unless today's ambitious promises of alternative fuels, digital leaps, and electrification actually deliver.

Sources & References

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