Freight forwarding market seen reaching $906.7 billion by 2035

Global freight forwarding revenue is projected to rise from about $560 billion in 2026 to $906.7 billion by 2035, driven by cross-border e-commerce, international trade, digital logistics and supply-chain reshuffling. Asia-Pacific leads the market now and is expected to grow fastest as freight forwarders add more automation, visibility and sustainability tools.

Why it matters: - Freight forwarding sits at the center of global trade, customs clearance, warehousing, shipment visibility and route planning. - The market is growing as businesses manage more complex cross-border supply chains and look for lower-risk transportation options. - The shift matters for shippers, carriers and logistics providers because it is changing how goods move across ocean, air, road, rail and intermodal networks.

What happened: - Market Research Future estimated the global freight forwarding market at about $530.8 billion in 2025. - The market is forecast to reach about $560.0 billion in 2026. - The market is projected to hit $906.7 billion by 2035, implying a 5.5% CAGR from 2026 to 2035. - The report was released in New York on Sept. 15, 2026. - A sample report is available here. - The full report is available here.

The details: - Freight forwarders coordinate shipments between origins and destinations and act as intermediaries among shippers, carriers, customs authorities, warehouses and ports. - Core services include transportation management, customs documentation and clearance, warehousing, cargo consolidation, packaging, shipment tracking, insurance coordination, route planning, import and export documentation and multimodal transportation management. - Cross-border e-commerce is increasing parcel volumes and customer expectations for faster, more transparent delivery. - International trade continues to create demand as manufacturers source components globally and sell finished goods across multiple markets. - Digital platforms now let customers get quotes, book shipments, track cargo, manage documents and receive delivery updates from one interface. - API-based rate integration is improving carrier connections and pricing visibility. - MRFR highlighted digital booking, API rate integration, machine-learning ETA models and automated customs filing as major industry developments. - AI and machine learning are being applied to route optimization, ETA prediction, capacity forecasting, load matching, shipment consolidation, demand forecasting, document processing, customs classification and exception management. - Predictive systems can flag delays and suggest alternate routes before disruptions spread. - Ocean freight accounted for about 57.4% of global revenue in 2025 and remains the largest mode by revenue. - Road freight is gaining importance for domestic distribution, regional trade and first- and last-mile connections. - Air freight is used for time-sensitive, high-value, lightweight and temperature-sensitive goods. - MRFR expects air freight forwarding to grow at about 5.9% CAGR through 2035. - Rail freight is being supported by multimodal corridors that connect ports with inland manufacturing and distribution centers. - Multimodal and intermodal forwarding is projected to grow at about 6.8% CAGR from 2026 to 2035. - Asia-Pacific accounted for about 39.8% of 2025 revenue and is projected to grow fastest at 6.4% CAGR through 2035. - Europe held about 24.6% of 2025 revenue. - North America stands out for high digital adoption in freight forwarding. - Emerging opportunities are building across South Asia, Africa and the Middle East as trade corridors and infrastructure expand. - Leading companies in the market include Kuehne+Nagel, DHL Group, DSV A/S, C.H. Robinson, Expeditors International of Washington, Sinotrans, Nippon Express, UPS, CEVA Logistics and CMA CGM Group.

Between the lines: - The forecast points to a freight forwarding market that is becoming more software-driven, data-rich and service-heavy, not just transport-heavy. - The fastest-growing opportunities are in areas where shippers want more control, including visibility tools, SME self-service platforms, cold-chain logistics and carbon reporting. - Competition is shifting toward companies that can combine network reach with customs expertise, digital tools and specialized logistics capabilities. - Large operators are investing in digital platforms while tech-focused players are moving deeper into physical logistics and warehousing.

What's next: - Growth is likely to come from cross-border e-commerce, AI-enabled operations, and more integrated multimodal shipping models. - Freight forwarders are expected to expand subscription analytics, visibility services, carbon-accounting tools and temperature-controlled logistics offerings. - Infrastructure investment in South Asia, Africa and the Middle East could open new trade corridors and local network-building opportunities. - Regional mix is expected to keep shifting toward Asia-Pacific as manufacturing, exports and e-commerce expand.

The bottom line: - Freight forwarding is moving from a back-office logistics function to a higher-tech global coordination business with multiple new revenue streams.