GITNUXREPORT 2025

Supply Chain In The Freight Industry Statistics

Supply chain disruptions, digitalization, sustainability, and automation reshape freight industry.

Jannik Linder

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

First published: April 29, 2025

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking • Reputable sources • Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

About 65% of supply chain professionals see sustainability as a critical factor in logistics planning

Statistic 2

The average age of trucks on North American roads is 12 years, affecting emissions and efficiency

Statistic 3

About 30% of freight companies now incorporate green logistics practices to reduce carbon footprints

Statistic 4

The percentage of freight shipments using sustainable packaging increased from 10% in 2020 to 35% in 2023, highlighting greener practices

Statistic 5

The recycling rate of freight packaging materials increased by 15% in 2022 globally, promoting sustainability in logistics

Statistic 6

The percentage of freight shipments transported via green energy (electric, hydrogen) increased from less than 1% in 2020 to 7% in 2023, indicating growth in clean energy logistics

Statistic 7

The global freight transportation market was valued at approximately $11 trillion in 2022

Statistic 8

Approximately 70% of global freight is transported by rail, road, and pipeline

Statistic 9

E-commerce logistics accounted for about 25% of the global freight market in 2022

Statistic 10

The total number of containers shipped globally was around 714 million TEUs in 2022

Statistic 11

The proportion of inland logistics moved via multimodal transportation reached 45% globally in 2022

Statistic 12

The global warehouse automation market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12% from 2023 to 2030

Statistic 13

The global freight forwarding market size was valued at approximately $200 billion in 2022

Statistic 14

The use of autonomous trucks in freight transport is projected to reach a market size of $2.9 billion by 2027

Statistic 15

The global cold chain logistics market is expected to reach $525 billion by 2027, growing at 13% CAGR

Statistic 16

In 2022, about 85% of goods transported globally were moved via sea freight

Statistic 17

The global trucking fleet is estimated to be over 300 million vehicles in 2023, representing a significant portion of freight capacity

Statistic 18

Nearly 80% of global trade volume is carried by ships, making maritime logistics critical to global commerce

Statistic 19

The number of freight drones tested for delivery purposes increased by 40% in 2023, signaling growth in aerial freight solutions

Statistic 20

Cross-border e-commerce shipments have grown by 27% annually from 2019 to 2022, impacting global freight logistics

Statistic 21

The worldwide air freight market was valued at about $200 billion in 2022, representing a significant segment of fast delivery logistics

Statistic 22

The global packaging materials market for freight logistics is expected to reach $220 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 4.8%

Statistic 23

The freight industry employs over 50 million people worldwide, illustrating its significance to global employment

Statistic 24

The global intermodal cargo volume grew by 8% in 2022, emphasizing the importance of diverse transportation modes

Statistic 25

The regional distribution of freight transport shows Asia-Pacific handling about 40% of total global freight, followed by Europe at 22%

Statistic 26

The global parcel delivery market grew by 10% year-over-year in 2022, driven by e-commerce expansion

Statistic 27

Approximately 40% of global freight capacity is dedicated to regional transportation within continents, highlighting the importance of intra-regional logistics

Statistic 28

The global logistics automation market is expected to reach $80 billion by 2025, showing rapid digital transformation

Statistic 29

The average shipment size increased by 20% in the e-commerce freight sector from 2020 to 2023, due to larger product packages

Statistic 30

The total global spend on freight logistics technology is expected to reach $150 billion annually by 2025, indicating high investment levels

Statistic 31

The use of predictive analytics in freight logistics increased operational efficiency by up to 30%

Statistic 32

The average cost per mile for air freight is approximately 2 to 5 times higher than sea and land freight, depending on the route

Statistic 33

The average delivery delay in supply chain logistics increased by 15% during 2022 due to port congestion

Statistic 34

The freight industry experiences a global shortage of approximately 50,000 truck drivers as of 2023

Statistic 35

According to Deloitte, supply chain disruptions caused an average increase in logistics costs by 20% during pandemic years

Statistic 36

The average fuel cost per mile for trucking logistics increased by 12% in 2023

Statistic 37

56% of logistics companies report that supply chain visibility is their top digital priority

Statistic 38

The average dwell time of containers in ports worldwide increased from 5 to 9 days during 2022 due to congestion

Statistic 39

Supply chain disruptions in 2023 caused an estimated $500 billion in economic losses worldwide

Statistic 40

Retail supply chains worldwide faced nearly 15% escalations in costs in 2022 due to rising fuel, labor, and material expenses

Statistic 41

The cargo theft rate in freight logistics decreased by 10% globally in 2023 due to enhanced security measures

Statistic 42

60% of freight companies use AI and machine learning technologies to optimize routes

Statistic 43

Blockchain technology adoption in freight logistics increased by 35% in 2023 for tracking and transparency

Statistic 44

The integration of IoT devices in freight logistics led to a 20% improvement in supply chain efficiency in 2023

Statistic 45

The average internet penetration rate among logistics companies worldwide reached 65% in 2023, facilitating digital transformation

Statistic 46

50% of logistics companies have adopted cloud-based transportation management systems (TMS) as of 2023, improving agility and data sharing

Statistic 47

About 20% of freight shipments globally are now managed via digital platforms, reflecting technological adoption

Statistic 48

The average document processing time in freight logistics has decreased by 25% due to digital solutions implemented during 2022-2023

Statistic 49

The implementation of digital twins in supply chain management is projected to improve logistics planning accuracy by 25% by 2025

Statistic 50

The proportion of freight vehicles equipped with telematics systems reached 72% worldwide in 2023, enabling real-time data collection

Statistic 51

The average lead time for freight shipments from order to delivery decreased by 12% during 2022 owing to digital logistics solutions

Statistic 52

Virtual reality (VR) training programs for freight logistics coordinators increased in adoption by 30% in 2023, enhancing workforce readiness

Statistic 53

The share of freight transported via electric trucks increased by 5% in 2023, reflecting ongoing electrification efforts

Statistic 54

About 55% of freight companies report using data analytics to optimize inventory management, reducing stock shortages

Statistic 55

The adoption rate of contactless delivery methods in freight logistics increased to 65% in 2023, driven by health and safety concerns

Slide 1 of 55

Sources

Our Reports have been cited by:

Trust Badges - Publications that have cited our reports

Key Highlights

The global freight transportation market was valued at approximately $11 trillion in 2022
Approximately 70% of global freight is transported by rail, road, and pipeline
The average delivery delay in supply chain logistics increased by 15% during 2022 due to port congestion
E-commerce logistics accounted for about 25% of the global freight market in 2022
The freight industry experiences a global shortage of approximately 50,000 truck drivers as of 2023
According to Deloitte, supply chain disruptions caused an average increase in logistics costs by 20% during pandemic years
60% of freight companies use AI and machine learning technologies to optimize routes
The total number of containers shipped globally was around 714 million TEUs in 2022
The average fuel cost per mile for trucking logistics increased by 12% in 2023
The proportion of inland logistics moved via multimodal transportation reached 45% globally in 2022
Blockchain technology adoption in freight logistics increased by 35% in 2023 for tracking and transparency
The global warehouse automation market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12% from 2023 to 2030
56% of logistics companies report that supply chain visibility is their top digital priority

The freight industry, a USD 11 trillion powerhouse moving more than 85% of global goods—driving digital transformation, sustainability efforts, and tackling ongoing challenges like driver shortages and port congestion—stands at a pivotal crossroads in redefining global supply chain dynamics.

Environmental Sustainability and Green Logistics

About 65% of supply chain professionals see sustainability as a critical factor in logistics planning
The average age of trucks on North American roads is 12 years, affecting emissions and efficiency
About 30% of freight companies now incorporate green logistics practices to reduce carbon footprints
The percentage of freight shipments using sustainable packaging increased from 10% in 2020 to 35% in 2023, highlighting greener practices
The recycling rate of freight packaging materials increased by 15% in 2022 globally, promoting sustainability in logistics
The percentage of freight shipments transported via green energy (electric, hydrogen) increased from less than 1% in 2020 to 7% in 2023, indicating growth in clean energy logistics

Environmental Sustainability and Green Logistics Interpretation

As supply chain professionals increasingly prioritize sustainability—highlighted by rising green practices, cleaner energy use, and older trucks gradually making way for eco-friendly innovations—the freight industry is undoubtedly steering toward a greener, more efficient horizon, even if the journey is still in its early miles.

Market Size and Growth Trends

The global freight transportation market was valued at approximately $11 trillion in 2022
Approximately 70% of global freight is transported by rail, road, and pipeline
E-commerce logistics accounted for about 25% of the global freight market in 2022
The total number of containers shipped globally was around 714 million TEUs in 2022
The proportion of inland logistics moved via multimodal transportation reached 45% globally in 2022
The global warehouse automation market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 12% from 2023 to 2030
The global freight forwarding market size was valued at approximately $200 billion in 2022
The use of autonomous trucks in freight transport is projected to reach a market size of $2.9 billion by 2027
The global cold chain logistics market is expected to reach $525 billion by 2027, growing at 13% CAGR
In 2022, about 85% of goods transported globally were moved via sea freight
The global trucking fleet is estimated to be over 300 million vehicles in 2023, representing a significant portion of freight capacity
Nearly 80% of global trade volume is carried by ships, making maritime logistics critical to global commerce
The number of freight drones tested for delivery purposes increased by 40% in 2023, signaling growth in aerial freight solutions
Cross-border e-commerce shipments have grown by 27% annually from 2019 to 2022, impacting global freight logistics
The worldwide air freight market was valued at about $200 billion in 2022, representing a significant segment of fast delivery logistics
The global packaging materials market for freight logistics is expected to reach $220 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 4.8%
The freight industry employs over 50 million people worldwide, illustrating its significance to global employment
The global intermodal cargo volume grew by 8% in 2022, emphasizing the importance of diverse transportation modes
The regional distribution of freight transport shows Asia-Pacific handling about 40% of total global freight, followed by Europe at 22%
The global parcel delivery market grew by 10% year-over-year in 2022, driven by e-commerce expansion
Approximately 40% of global freight capacity is dedicated to regional transportation within continents, highlighting the importance of intra-regional logistics
The global logistics automation market is expected to reach $80 billion by 2025, showing rapid digital transformation
The average shipment size increased by 20% in the e-commerce freight sector from 2020 to 2023, due to larger product packages
The total global spend on freight logistics technology is expected to reach $150 billion annually by 2025, indicating high investment levels

Market Size and Growth Trends Interpretation

With a market value of roughly $11 trillion in 2022 and a transportation backbone dominated by ships, trucks, and rails, the global freight industry is proving that moving mountains of goods isn't just logistics—it’s a high-stakes, tech-driven race where innovation, automation, and e-commerce growth are steering the world's commerce chassis toward a smarter, more interconnected future.

Operational Efficiency and Logistics Infrastructure

The use of predictive analytics in freight logistics increased operational efficiency by up to 30%
The average cost per mile for air freight is approximately 2 to 5 times higher than sea and land freight, depending on the route

Operational Efficiency and Logistics Infrastructure Interpretation

As predictive analytics streamlines freight operations with up to a 30% efficiency boost, companies must weigh the airborne expense—up to five times higher per mile—against the cheaper, slower routes, highlighting the eternal cargo conundrum of speed versus economy.

Supply Chain Disruptions and Challenges

The average delivery delay in supply chain logistics increased by 15% during 2022 due to port congestion
The freight industry experiences a global shortage of approximately 50,000 truck drivers as of 2023
According to Deloitte, supply chain disruptions caused an average increase in logistics costs by 20% during pandemic years
The average fuel cost per mile for trucking logistics increased by 12% in 2023
56% of logistics companies report that supply chain visibility is their top digital priority
The average dwell time of containers in ports worldwide increased from 5 to 9 days during 2022 due to congestion
Supply chain disruptions in 2023 caused an estimated $500 billion in economic losses worldwide
Retail supply chains worldwide faced nearly 15% escalations in costs in 2022 due to rising fuel, labor, and material expenses
The cargo theft rate in freight logistics decreased by 10% globally in 2023 due to enhanced security measures

Supply Chain Disruptions and Challenges Interpretation

Despite a 10% drop in cargo theft and increased digital focus, the freight industry's mounting delays, soaring costs, and driver shortages—exacerbated by port congestion and rising fuel prices—highlight that navigating global supply chain disruptions remains a complex balancing act with no immediate end in sight.

Technology Adoption and Innovation

60% of freight companies use AI and machine learning technologies to optimize routes
Blockchain technology adoption in freight logistics increased by 35% in 2023 for tracking and transparency
The integration of IoT devices in freight logistics led to a 20% improvement in supply chain efficiency in 2023
The average internet penetration rate among logistics companies worldwide reached 65% in 2023, facilitating digital transformation
50% of logistics companies have adopted cloud-based transportation management systems (TMS) as of 2023, improving agility and data sharing
About 20% of freight shipments globally are now managed via digital platforms, reflecting technological adoption
The average document processing time in freight logistics has decreased by 25% due to digital solutions implemented during 2022-2023
The implementation of digital twins in supply chain management is projected to improve logistics planning accuracy by 25% by 2025
The proportion of freight vehicles equipped with telematics systems reached 72% worldwide in 2023, enabling real-time data collection
The average lead time for freight shipments from order to delivery decreased by 12% during 2022 owing to digital logistics solutions
Virtual reality (VR) training programs for freight logistics coordinators increased in adoption by 30% in 2023, enhancing workforce readiness
The share of freight transported via electric trucks increased by 5% in 2023, reflecting ongoing electrification efforts
About 55% of freight companies report using data analytics to optimize inventory management, reducing stock shortages
The adoption rate of contactless delivery methods in freight logistics increased to 65% in 2023, driven by health and safety concerns

Technology Adoption and Innovation Interpretation

In 2023, the freight industry's digital transformation surged ahead—with over half embracing AI, blockchain, and IoT to sharpen efficiency and transparency, while innovations like digital twins and VR training promise to further streamline logistics, yet electrification and contactless delivery remain ongoing evolutions amidst the relentless drive for faster, safer, and smarter supply chains.