Digital Freight Forwarding Market

Global Digital Freight Forwarding Market Size (2024 to 2029)

The global digital freight forwarding market is predicted to reach USD 34.5 billion in 2024 and USD 92.37 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 21.77% during the forecast period.

Digital freight forwarders have included digital tools on their websites to make it easier for people to contact them. Most of them have online chats, for example, as well as contact information visible on their site and a presence on social media. It helps to improve the communication flow and to respond in a short time. On the other hand, reaching a traditional system to resolve some doubts can be a bit more complicated as most of them don't have such a big online presence and don't give their customers answers in a short time.

The global digital freight forwarding market is expected to witness tremendous growth during the forecast period, owing to technological transition and changing operational needs of organizations. Growth can be attributed to increased domestic and global trade, the need for deliveries with time control and transport security, and the adoption of smart technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), and big data analytics solutions.

Market growth and trends:

• In 2019, global retail e-commerce sales amounted to around US $ 3.53 trillion, and retail e-commerce revenues are estimated to grow even faster in the coming years. Online shopping is one of the most popular online activities in the world, and domestic and cross-border e-commerce is booming in developing markets like China, India, and Indonesia. This includes direct-to-consumer retail and shipments of electronics, pharmaceuticals, and consumer packaged goods. With the rise of Internet access, even product manufacturers are gradually shifting from traditional freight to digital forwarding. The main benefits of digital freight forwarding include instant quotes, transparent pricing, carrier and rate comparison, easy tracking, documentation, and more.

Market Drivers and Restraints:

The time, efficiency, and accuracy of delivery are the main parameters of efficient cargo operations in the global digital freight forwarding market. This can be accomplished with minimal human intervention and taking advantage of technologies that can be an asset for efficient operations. Big Data Analytics and other Enterprise Management Suites (ERP) can manage many complex operations, reducing human labor and making you prone to miscalculations, inefficiencies, and delays in operations. In addition, there have been a number of innovations in the field of data analytics and ERP, which can also be useful for difficult industries such as freight forwarding operating across borders.

Due to their high initial capital expenditure (CAPEX), the high cost of sophisticated equipment, and the cost of software licensing, many small and medium freight forwarders cannot have digitization in their management system. Also, operating such sophisticated equipment and software requires skilled and expensive human resources, increasing the overall cost for these organizations. Even large market players who have the ability to digitize their operational management will have to work on cost sensitivity.

GLOBAL DIGITAL FREIGHT FORWARDING MARKET REPORT COVERAGE:

The global digital freight forwarder market is segmented and sub-segmented based on the components, mode, end user, and region.

Global Digital Freight Forwarding Market - By Components:

• Solutions

• Services

Global Digital Freight Forwarding Market - By Mode:

• Rail Freight

• Road Freight

• Ocean Freight

• Air Freight

Of all these, the shipping category is expected to occupy the largest share of the market, as most of the world's trade is carried out by sea and ocean. However, the air cargo category is supposed to experience the fastest growth, which can be attributed to increased demand for fast delivery speed due to the growth of global e-commerce.

Global Digital Freight Forwarding Market – By End User:

• Third-Party Logistics (3PL)

• Forwarders

• Brokers

• Shippers

• Carriers

The 3PL category is expected to occupy the largest size in the market, as 3PLs occupy an important position in the supply chain by integrating warehousing and transportation service operations to meet customer requirements and market conditions.

Global Digital Freight Forwarding Market - By Region:

• North America

  • The United States

  • Canada

  • Rest of North America

• Europe

  • The United Kingdom

  • Spain

  • Germany

  • Italy

  • France

  • Rest of Europe

• The Asia Pacific

  • India

  • Japan

  • China

  • Australia

  • Singapore

  • Malaysia

  • South Korea

  • New Zealand

  • Southeast Asia

• Latin America

  • Brazil

  • Argentina

  • Mexico

  • Rest of LATAM

• The Middle East and Africa

  • Saudi Arabia

  • UAE

  • Lebanon

  • Jordan

  • Cyprus

Geographically, North America had the largest share of the global digital freight forwarding market in 2019. This is primarily attributed to the fact that the United States has traditionally been the world leader in international trade. Additionally, many of the industry participants are also from North America. The increasing use of the internet is promoting the industry in the Asia Pacific. China, India, and Australia are the main markets that will drive market growth in the APAC region.

Leading Company:

Flexport is a San Francisco-based digital freight and logistics platform. Founded in 2013, the company carries out approximately half of its activity in sea freight and the other half in air freight. After its Series C funding round in September 2017, Flexport was valued at USD 800 million. In 2018, the company received USD 100 million from SF Express, a leading courier company in China. This brought Flexport's total funding to USD 300 million and its valuation to over USD 1 billion.

The startup has a revenue rate of around USD 400 million and is growing steadily. It ships approximately 120,000 TEUs (20-foot equivalents) annually, focusing on the trans-Pacific trade routes, where its shipment volume is the 20th largest on the eastbound trans-Pacific route. It reached a turnover of USD 860 million in 2019 and has become the market leader in digital freight transport, providing high-quality logistics service with additional analytical reports.

Key Market Players:

Some of the key market players are CH Robinson Worldwide, Inc., FedEx Corp., JB Hunt Transport Services Inc., Kuehne + Nagel International AG, Penske Truck Leasing Co. LP, United Parcel Service Inc., XPO Logistics Inc., TNT Logistics, Wilson Logistics Group, Nippon Express, Eagle Global Logistics, Maersk Logistics, DHL Danzas Air and Ocean, Schneider National, UTi Worldwide, NYK Logistics, Menlo Worldwide, APL Logistics, SembCorp Logistics (USA), BAX Global, Caterpillar Logistics and Panalpina.