GITNUXREPORT 2025

Freight Forwarding Industry Statistics

Global freight industry grows, adopting digital, green, and multimodal solutions.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The logistics and freight forwarding industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.4% from 2022 to 2030

Statistic 2

The average cost of freight insurance globally in 2022 was around 0.3% of cargo value

Statistic 3

Digital transformation in freight forwarding has increased industry efficiency by approximately 20%

Statistic 4

The annual growth rate of e-commerce shipments has surged by over 25% in the Asia-Pacific region during 2020-2022

Statistic 5

The average lead time for international freight shipments has reduced by roughly 10% over the past five years due to technological upgrades

Statistic 6

The use of IoT in freight forwarding has improved supply chain visibility by over 35%

Statistic 7

The freight forwarding sector is increasingly adopting blockchain technology, with 25% of companies piloting blockchain projects in 2023

Statistic 8

The average freight forwarding contract duration is around 12 months, with M&A activity rising in the industry

Statistic 9

65% of freight forwarders expect increased demand in the next two years, according to a 2023 industry survey

Statistic 10

The employment rate in freight forwarding is expected to grow by 4% annually through 2030

Statistic 11

Port congestion increased global shipping costs by approximately 15% during 2021-2022

Statistic 12

The largest container ships now carry over 24,000 TEU, highlighting advancements in freight vessel capacity

Statistic 13

About 30% of freight forwarding companies have adopted AI-based route optimization systems

Statistic 14

The growth of multimodal transportation solutions increased by 12% in 2022, driven by demand for flexible logistics

Statistic 15

The freight forwarding industry’s carbon footprint has decreased by roughly 10% since 2019 due to sustainability initiatives

Statistic 16

Over 60% of freight forwarders report difficulties in recruiting skilled labor, especially in digital skills areas

Statistic 17

The use of robotics in warehouses for freight forwarding has increased by 25% since 2020, improving operational efficiency

Statistic 18

The average freight bill accounts for about 12% of the total logistics cost for companies

Statistic 19

Regulatory compliance costs for freight forwarding companies have increased by 18% over the last five years, due to evolving global trade regulations

Statistic 20

The market share of digital freight matching platforms increased by 35% in 2022, reflecting the shift towards digital solutions

Statistic 21

Approximately 70% of freight forwarding companies are investing in cybersecurity to protect supply chain data

Statistic 22

The average container dwell time at ports increased by 20% during 2020-2022, contributing to increased costs

Statistic 23

The adoption rate of paperless documentation in freight forwarding has reached 55% globally in 2022, reducing processing times

Statistic 24

The freight forwarding industry is increasingly using AI for customer service, with chatbots handling over 40% of inquiries in 2023

Statistic 25

The global freight forwarding industry is projected to face a shortage of approximately 1.4 million skilled workers by 2030, according to industry reports

Statistic 26

More than 65% of freight forwarders report increased demands for customized logistics solutions, driven by e-commerce and supply chain complexity

Statistic 27

The use of drones for freight delivery has increased by 30% in 2022, mainly for last-mile delivery in urban areas

Statistic 28

The largest freight forwarders have integrated sustainability into their core operations, with 80% committed to net-zero targets by 2030

Statistic 29

The integration of AI and machine learning in freight forwarding reduces shipment errors by approximately 15%, increasing reliability

Statistic 30

Over 75% of freight forwarders report increased investment in digital platforms since 2020, aiming to improve operational efficiency

Statistic 31

The volume of hazardous materials transported via freight forwarding increased by 10% annually over the past three years, highlighting safety and regulation challenges

Statistic 32

The freight forwarding industry faces a projected annual cyber attack growth rate of 12% through 2025, emphasizing the need for robust cybersecurity

Statistic 33

Incorporation of autonomous vehicles in freight logistics is currently at the pilot stage in 35% of forwarders, with full adoption expected within the next five years

Statistic 34

About 18% of freight forwarders utilize blockchain for document verification, improving security and transparency

Statistic 35

The percentage of freight shipments utilizing customs brokerage has increased by 12% since 2018, reflecting growing complexities in global trade

Statistic 36

The use of big data analytics in freight forwarding improved demand forecasting accuracy by approximately 25%, leading to better inventory management

Statistic 37

The freight forwarding industry is estimated to incur over $20 billion annually in theft and cargo loss worldwide, highlighting security concerns

Statistic 38

Investment in green fuels and alternative energy sources by freight companies increased by 22% in 2022, aligning with sustainability goals

Statistic 39

Multimodal logistics hubs have increased by 15% globally since 2019, facilitating smoother cargo transfers

Statistic 40

The biggest challenges currently faced by freight forwarders include rising fuel costs (reported by over 70% of firms), regulatory compliance, and labor shortages

Statistic 41

The freight industry’s digital revenue is projected to grow at an annual rate of 8% through 2025, reflecting industry digitization efforts

Statistic 42

Over 50% of freight forwarders are planning to invest in enhanced supply chain visibility tools in the next year, to improve tracking and transparency

Statistic 43

According to forecasts, global freight transportation will continue to grow over 3% annually through 2030, driven mainly by e-commerce and trade expansion

Statistic 44

Environmental regulations have led to a 12% reduction in sulfur emissions from freight vessels over the past decade, promoting cleaner shipping practices

Statistic 45

Digital documentation adoption in freight forwarding reduced processing times by up to 40%, significantly improving operational efficiency

Statistic 46

The average revenue per freight shipment has increased by 9% since 2019, reflecting rising freight costs and value-added services

Statistic 47

The freight forwarding industry is increasingly focusing on supply chain resilience, with over 60% of firms investing in risk management strategies

Statistic 48

Investments in automation within freight warehouses grew by 20% in 2022, aiming to reduce manual handling and increase throughput

Statistic 49

The top five freight forwarding companies account for more than 50% of the global market share

Statistic 50

The global freight forwarding market was valued at approximately $180 billion in 2021

Statistic 51

The global air freight market volume was around 61.3 million tons in 2022

Statistic 52

The freight forwarding industry employs over 12 million people worldwide

Statistic 53

The total global freight forwarding market is expected to reach $350 billion by 2027

Statistic 54

The global cold chain logistics market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.2% through 2028

Statistic 55

The global packaging market for freight logistics is estimated at $104 billion in 2023, projected to reach $148 billion by 2028

Statistic 56

The global express freight market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.8% from 2023 to 2030, reaching over $300 billion

Statistic 57

The freight forwarding industry’s revenue growth is expected to outperform global GDP growth over the next decade, with an estimated CAGR of around 4%

Statistic 58

The global cold chain logistics market is projected to reach $640 billion by 2028, growing rapidly due to increasing demand for temperature-sensitive products

Statistic 59

The Asia-Pacific region accounted for over 40% of the global freight forwarding market in 2021

Statistic 60

Asia-Pacific dominates the air freight industry, handling over 48% of global air cargo volume

Statistic 61

Ocean freight shipping accounts for approximately 80% of world trade volume by quantity

Statistic 62

Approximately 83% of global trade by value is carried by sea

Statistic 63

The COVID-19 pandemic caused a 15-20% decline in global freight volumes in 2020

Statistic 64

Trucking remains the dominant mode of freight transport in North America, accounting for approximately 70% of freight tonnage

Statistic 65

Refrigerated freight accounts for approximately 10% of total freight volume globally

Statistic 66

Intermodal freight transportation accounts for about 30% of cargo volume in Europe, driven by environmental policies

Statistic 67

Over 50% of global freight volume is now transported via rail in certain regions like Europe and parts of Asia, showing diversification

Statistic 68

The percent of global trade conducted in containerized shipping has remained stable at around 60% since 2015, indicating consistent market share

Statistic 69

The percentage of freight shipped via dedicated rail routes increased by 6% since 2020, emphasizing diversification of transport modes

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Key Highlights

The global freight forwarding market was valued at approximately $180 billion in 2021
The Asia-Pacific region accounted for over 40% of the global freight forwarding market in 2021
The global air freight market volume was around 61.3 million tons in 2022
Ocean freight shipping accounts for approximately 80% of world trade volume by quantity
The top five freight forwarding companies account for more than 50% of the global market share
The logistics and freight forwarding industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.4% from 2022 to 2030
Approximately 83% of global trade by value is carried by sea
The average cost of freight insurance globally in 2022 was around 0.3% of cargo value
Digital transformation in freight forwarding has increased industry efficiency by approximately 20%
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a 15-20% decline in global freight volumes in 2020
The annual growth rate of e-commerce shipments has surged by over 25% in the Asia-Pacific region during 2020-2022
Trucking remains the dominant mode of freight transport in North America, accounting for approximately 70% of freight tonnage
The freight forwarding industry employs over 12 million people worldwide

The freight forwarding industry is navigating a dynamic landscape marked by rapid technological innovation, regional dominance, and unprecedented growth projections that are set to transform global trade by 2030.

Industry Trends and Innovations

The logistics and freight forwarding industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.4% from 2022 to 2030
The average cost of freight insurance globally in 2022 was around 0.3% of cargo value
Digital transformation in freight forwarding has increased industry efficiency by approximately 20%
The annual growth rate of e-commerce shipments has surged by over 25% in the Asia-Pacific region during 2020-2022
The average lead time for international freight shipments has reduced by roughly 10% over the past five years due to technological upgrades
The use of IoT in freight forwarding has improved supply chain visibility by over 35%
The freight forwarding sector is increasingly adopting blockchain technology, with 25% of companies piloting blockchain projects in 2023
The average freight forwarding contract duration is around 12 months, with M&A activity rising in the industry
65% of freight forwarders expect increased demand in the next two years, according to a 2023 industry survey
The employment rate in freight forwarding is expected to grow by 4% annually through 2030
Port congestion increased global shipping costs by approximately 15% during 2021-2022
The largest container ships now carry over 24,000 TEU, highlighting advancements in freight vessel capacity
About 30% of freight forwarding companies have adopted AI-based route optimization systems
The growth of multimodal transportation solutions increased by 12% in 2022, driven by demand for flexible logistics
The freight forwarding industry’s carbon footprint has decreased by roughly 10% since 2019 due to sustainability initiatives
Over 60% of freight forwarders report difficulties in recruiting skilled labor, especially in digital skills areas
The use of robotics in warehouses for freight forwarding has increased by 25% since 2020, improving operational efficiency
The average freight bill accounts for about 12% of the total logistics cost for companies
Regulatory compliance costs for freight forwarding companies have increased by 18% over the last five years, due to evolving global trade regulations
The market share of digital freight matching platforms increased by 35% in 2022, reflecting the shift towards digital solutions
Approximately 70% of freight forwarding companies are investing in cybersecurity to protect supply chain data
The average container dwell time at ports increased by 20% during 2020-2022, contributing to increased costs
The adoption rate of paperless documentation in freight forwarding has reached 55% globally in 2022, reducing processing times
The freight forwarding industry is increasingly using AI for customer service, with chatbots handling over 40% of inquiries in 2023
The global freight forwarding industry is projected to face a shortage of approximately 1.4 million skilled workers by 2030, according to industry reports
More than 65% of freight forwarders report increased demands for customized logistics solutions, driven by e-commerce and supply chain complexity
The use of drones for freight delivery has increased by 30% in 2022, mainly for last-mile delivery in urban areas
The largest freight forwarders have integrated sustainability into their core operations, with 80% committed to net-zero targets by 2030
The integration of AI and machine learning in freight forwarding reduces shipment errors by approximately 15%, increasing reliability
Over 75% of freight forwarders report increased investment in digital platforms since 2020, aiming to improve operational efficiency
The volume of hazardous materials transported via freight forwarding increased by 10% annually over the past three years, highlighting safety and regulation challenges
The freight forwarding industry faces a projected annual cyber attack growth rate of 12% through 2025, emphasizing the need for robust cybersecurity
Incorporation of autonomous vehicles in freight logistics is currently at the pilot stage in 35% of forwarders, with full adoption expected within the next five years
About 18% of freight forwarders utilize blockchain for document verification, improving security and transparency
The percentage of freight shipments utilizing customs brokerage has increased by 12% since 2018, reflecting growing complexities in global trade
The use of big data analytics in freight forwarding improved demand forecasting accuracy by approximately 25%, leading to better inventory management
The freight forwarding industry is estimated to incur over $20 billion annually in theft and cargo loss worldwide, highlighting security concerns
Investment in green fuels and alternative energy sources by freight companies increased by 22% in 2022, aligning with sustainability goals
Multimodal logistics hubs have increased by 15% globally since 2019, facilitating smoother cargo transfers
The biggest challenges currently faced by freight forwarders include rising fuel costs (reported by over 70% of firms), regulatory compliance, and labor shortages
The freight industry’s digital revenue is projected to grow at an annual rate of 8% through 2025, reflecting industry digitization efforts
Over 50% of freight forwarders are planning to invest in enhanced supply chain visibility tools in the next year, to improve tracking and transparency
According to forecasts, global freight transportation will continue to grow over 3% annually through 2030, driven mainly by e-commerce and trade expansion
Environmental regulations have led to a 12% reduction in sulfur emissions from freight vessels over the past decade, promoting cleaner shipping practices
Digital documentation adoption in freight forwarding reduced processing times by up to 40%, significantly improving operational efficiency
The average revenue per freight shipment has increased by 9% since 2019, reflecting rising freight costs and value-added services
The freight forwarding industry is increasingly focusing on supply chain resilience, with over 60% of firms investing in risk management strategies
Investments in automation within freight warehouses grew by 20% in 2022, aiming to reduce manual handling and increase throughput

Industry Trends and Innovations Interpretation

As the freight forwarding industry accelerates toward a digital and sustainable future—shrinking delays by 10%, reducing its carbon footprint by 10%, and embracing blockchain and AI—it still faces the relentless challenges of labor shortages, rising costs, and cyber threats, proving that even in a fast-evolving landscape, adaptability remains the ultimate cargo.

Major Companies and Industry Share

The top five freight forwarding companies account for more than 50% of the global market share

Major Companies and Industry Share Interpretation

With over half the global market concentrated among the top five freight forwarding giants, the industry’s landscape resembles a high-stakes game of monopoly—where a few key players hold significant sway over international trade routes.

Market Size and Value

The global freight forwarding market was valued at approximately $180 billion in 2021
The global air freight market volume was around 61.3 million tons in 2022
The freight forwarding industry employs over 12 million people worldwide
The total global freight forwarding market is expected to reach $350 billion by 2027
The global cold chain logistics market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.2% through 2028
The global packaging market for freight logistics is estimated at $104 billion in 2023, projected to reach $148 billion by 2028
The global express freight market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.8% from 2023 to 2030, reaching over $300 billion
The freight forwarding industry’s revenue growth is expected to outperform global GDP growth over the next decade, with an estimated CAGR of around 4%
The global cold chain logistics market is projected to reach $640 billion by 2028, growing rapidly due to increasing demand for temperature-sensitive products

Market Size and Value Interpretation

As the freight forwarding industry surges toward a projected $350 billion by 2027, with cold chains and packaging markets fueling its rapid growth, it’s clear that shipping goods around the world is not only a logistical feat but also a booming economic driver that outpaces global GDP—proof that in the transportation universe, fast and warm are the new gold standards.

Regional Market Dynamics

The Asia-Pacific region accounted for over 40% of the global freight forwarding market in 2021
Asia-Pacific dominates the air freight industry, handling over 48% of global air cargo volume

Regional Market Dynamics Interpretation

With Asia-Pacific commanding nearly half of both global freight forwarding and air cargo volume in 2021, it's clear that the region has become the unstoppable engine propelling international trade — a true freight-forwarding powerhouse with a cargo hold full of influence.

Transportation Modes and Volumes

Ocean freight shipping accounts for approximately 80% of world trade volume by quantity
Approximately 83% of global trade by value is carried by sea
The COVID-19 pandemic caused a 15-20% decline in global freight volumes in 2020
Trucking remains the dominant mode of freight transport in North America, accounting for approximately 70% of freight tonnage
Refrigerated freight accounts for approximately 10% of total freight volume globally
Intermodal freight transportation accounts for about 30% of cargo volume in Europe, driven by environmental policies
Over 50% of global freight volume is now transported via rail in certain regions like Europe and parts of Asia, showing diversification
The percent of global trade conducted in containerized shipping has remained stable at around 60% since 2015, indicating consistent market share
The percentage of freight shipped via dedicated rail routes increased by 6% since 2020, emphasizing diversification of transport modes

Transportation Modes and Volumes Interpretation

Despite ocean shipping carrying the lion’s share of global trade by volume and value, recent shifts towards rail and intermodal transport highlight an industry in spirited adaptation, even as trucking dominates North America’s freight landscape and refrigerated goods carve out a niche—demonstrating that in the freight world, flexibility is the ultimate cargo.