Global Freight Forwarding Mid‑Year Market Size & Forecasts 2025
The global freight forwarding industry — a core pillar of international trade — continues to show resilience and steady growth in 2025. As global trade activity strengthens and supply chains adapt to changing market dynamics, freight forwarders are playing an increasingly critical role in helping businesses move goods efficiently across borders. With mid‑year data now emerging, the industry’s size and future prospects offer valuable insights for logistics professionals, investors, and global shippers alike. https://www.arc-worldwide.com/city/sea-freight-forwarding-delhi.html
Understanding the Freight Forwarding Market
Freight forwarding refers to the coordination and shipment of goods on behalf of shippers using multiple carriers and transport modes such as sea, air, road, and rail. Forwarders serve as intermediaries that manage logistics, documentation, customs clearance, and supply‑chain efficiency.
According to industry forecasts, the global freight forwarding market is expected to grow modestly in 2025, supported by continued global trade expansion and the integration of logistics technologies. PortCalls Asia
Market Size Projection
A recent market insight report indicates that the global freight forwarding market is expected to increase by about 2.9% in 2025, reaching a market value of approximately €213.7 billion (≈ USD 230 billion) in freight forwarding services worldwide. PortCalls Asia
This growth reflects steady demand from both ocean and air freight segments, which are projected to grow alongside recovering trade flows and increasing e‑commerce activity. Emerging markets, particularly in Asia Pacific and the Middle East, continue to strengthen their contribution to freight forwarding volumes. PortCalls Asia
Key Drivers of Growth in 2025
1. Expansion of Global Trade Activity
Despite geopolitical challenges and economic uncertainties, global trade is expected to expand in 2025, supporting freight forwarding demand. For example, various forecasts project that global trade volumes will grow at a healthy pace in 2025, surpassing previous records. Reuters
This broader trade growth translates directly into freight forwarding volumes, as more goods cross international borders and require professional logistics coordination. https://www.arc-worldwide.com/city/sea-freight-forwarding-noida.html
2. E‑Commerce and Supply Chain Complexity
E‑commerce continues to reshape logistics demand patterns. Online trade requires fast, reliable, and flexible freight solutions that traditional supply chains struggle to deliver without forwarder coordination. This shift benefits forwarders with digital capabilities and integrated services.
3. Digitalization and Technology Integration
Freight forwarders are increasingly adopting advanced technologies such as AI‑enabled tracking, data analytics, and automated documentation. These innovations improve supply‑chain visibility and operational efficiency, helping forwarders offer better service and reduce transit times — which attracts more customers and strengthens market growth. Market Growth Reports
4. Growth in Emerging Regions
Emerging markets — particularly in Asia Pacific, Africa, and parts of Latin America — are driving demand as manufacturing, consumption, and cross‑border trade grow. These regions contribute significantly to freight forwarding volumes and offer strong growth opportunities for global logistics networks. Market Growth Reports
Segment Insights: Air and Sea Freight
The freight forwarding sector isn’t monolithic — different modes contribute differently to overall market size and outlook.
Air Freight Forwarding
The air freight forwarding market is also poised for steady growth in 2025. Estimates indicate that the air freight forwarding market is valued at tens of billions of dollars, with forecasts suggesting sustained expansion through technological upgrades and growing cross‑border e‑commerce demand. Future Market Insights
Air freight offers speed and reliability — critical for high‑value goods, perishable items, and time‑sensitive shipments — and remains a key contributor to freight forwarding revenues.
Sea Freight Forwarding
Sea freight forwarding continues to dominate the broader freight forwarding market due to its cost effectiveness and scale. Reports project that the sea freight forwarding market size will be significant in 2025, driven by containerized shipping and trade lane volumes. Mordor Intelligence
The maritime segment’s large share of global goods transport (by weight) reinforces its importance in freight forwarding — especially for heavy, bulk, and manufactured goods moving long distances. https://www.arc-worldwide.com/city/sea-freight-forwarding-gurgaon.html
Regional Market Outlook
Currently, Asia Pacific remains a dominant force in the global freight forwarding landscape. Countries such as China, India, and Southeast Asian economies account for a significant share of freight forwarding activity due to export‑oriented manufacturing and rising domestic consumption. Grand View Research
Europe and North America also remain key markets, driven by mature supply chains, high value trade, and demand for advanced logistics services.
Emerging regions, including the Middle East and Africa, show growing potential as trade infrastructure and economic activity expands.
Market Forecasts and Future Prospects
Looking ahead beyond 2025, the freight forwarding market is expected to maintain a healthy growth trajectory through the end of the decade. Forecasts suggest a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 4–5% through 2030, pushing the market toward a significantly larger valuation as global trade networks become more interconnected. Grand View Research
Key drivers for this growth include:
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Rising global trade volumes
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Digital freight technologies
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Integration of multi‑modal logistics
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Sustainability‑focused supply chain solutions
Forwarders that embrace innovation and expand their digital service offerings are likely to capture a larger share of the projected market growth.
Challenges Facing the Industry
Despite the positive outlook, freight forwarders face ongoing challenges:
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Regulatory complexities in cross‑border operations can slow cargo processing and impose higher compliance costs. Market Growth Reports
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Port congestion and capacity constraints may impact delivery timelines, especially during peak seasons.
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Environmental regulations and sustainability mandates are pushing the industry toward cleaner, more efficient operations.
Addressing these issues will require collaboration across the logistics ecosystem — including carriers, forwarders, and regulators — to streamline operations and support long‑term growth. https://www.arc-worldwide.com/city/sea-freight-forwarding-ghaziabad.html
Conclusion
The mid‑year outlook for the global freight forwarding market in 2025 reflects a landscape of steady expansion, driven by rising global trade, digital transformation, and evolving supply chain demands. With an anticipated market value approaching the low hundreds of billions of dollars, forwarders are positioned to benefit from both air and sea freight growth. As the world economy continues adapting to new trade and logistics realities, freight forwarding remains essential in connecting markets and enabling international commerce.
FAQs
1. What is the global freight forwarding market size forecast for 2025?
The global freight forwarding market is expected to grow about 2.9% in 2025 and reach approximately €213.7 billion, driven by sea and air freight demand. PortCalls Asia
2. Which segment dominates freight forwarding?
Sea freight forwarding holds a large share of global freight forwarding due to its cost‑effective handling of bulk and containerized cargo. Mordor Intelligence
3. What are the key drivers of growth in freight forwarding?
Key drivers include expanding global trade, e‑commerce growth, digital logistics technology adoption, and emerging market participation. PortCalls Asia
4. How does air freight forwarding contribute to the market?
Air freight forwarding supports fast transport of high‑value and time‑sensitive goods and continues to grow with cross‑border commerce and digital service integration. Future Market Insights
5. What challenges does the industry face?
Challenges include regulatory compliance, port congestion, and increasing demands for sustainable logistics solutions.
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