What market size is the freight forwarding industry expected to reach by 2030?

According to Wissen Research, the global freight forwarding market is projected to reach US$284.8 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.8% from current baseline valuations.

What factors are driving growth in the freight forwarding market?

Primary growth drivers include the expansion of e-commerce and omnichannel retail, increased globalization of supply chains, growing trade volumes between emerging and developed economies, supply chain digitalization initiatives, and the need for specialized customs and regulatory compliance services.

How does 4.8% CAGR compare to broader logistics industry growth rates?

A 4.8% CAGR represents moderate, stable growth in the freight forwarding segment. This typically aligns with or slightly exceeds broader GDP and trade growth, reflecting the industry's resilience and its position as a critical infrastructure layer for international commerce.

Which regions and trade lanes are expected to see the strongest growth?

While the forecast focuses on global aggregates, freight forwarding growth is typically strongest in high-trade-volume corridors including Asia-to-North America, Asia-to-Europe, and intra-Asia routes, driven by manufacturing hubs and consumer markets in these regions.

What strategic implications does this market forecast have for logistics companies?

The forecast signals sustained demand for forwarding services, justifying continued investment in digital platforms, automation, talent recruitment, and geographic expansion. Companies should prioritize technology capabilities, supply chain visibility tools, and compliance automation to capture market share in this growing sector.

Shipping & Freight

Moderate

Freight Forwarding Market to Hit $284.8B by 2030 at 4.8% CAGR

Jun 4, 2026

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8%. This forecast reflects sustained demand for international logistics services driven by e-commerce expansion, supply chain digitalization, and globalization of manufacturing and retail networks.

8% CAGR indicates moderate but consistent growth across the decade, suggesting freight forwarding remains a resilient and strategically important segment within third-party logistics (3PL). This growth trajectory reflects the industry's adaptation to evolving trade patterns, regulatory complexities, and customer expectations for faster, more transparent supply chain visibility.

For supply chain professionals, this forecast signals continued investment opportunities in forwarding infrastructure, technology, and talent. The market's steady expansion underscores the enduring need for specialized logistics intermediaries to manage customs documentation, mode optimization, and last-mile coordination in an increasingly complex global trade environment.

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What This Means for Your Supply Chain

Simulation Suggestion

strategic

What if supply chain digitalization accelerates, increasing demand for tech-enabled forwarding services?

Simulate a scenario where adoption of digital forwarding platforms, real-time tracking, and AI-driven optimization increases faster than expected, capturing 35% market share by 2030 instead of 20%. Model pricing, service differentiation, and competitive positioning implications.

Run this scenario

Simulation Suggestion

strategic

What if freight forwarding demand grows faster than 4.8% due to accelerated e-commerce adoption?

Simulate a scenario where e-commerce volumes surge, pushing freight forwarding demand to 6.5% CAGR instead of the forecasted 4.8%. Model the impact on forwarding capacity utilization, lead times, and pricing across major trade corridors.

Run this scenario

Simulation Suggestion

this month

What if tariff policies reduce international trade volumes and slow forwarding market growth?

Model the scenario where protectionist trade policies reduce cross-border shipments by 8-12%, potentially lowering freight forwarding CAGR to 3.2-3.8%. Assess impact on forwarding revenues, pricing pressure, and geographic market performance.

Run this scenario

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Supply Chain Simulation: A Guide for Operators

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