| Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
| Base Year For Estimation | 2024 |
| Forecast Data Period | 2025 - 2030 |
| Market Size (2025) | USD 144.55 Billion |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 198.42 Billion |
| CAGR (2025 - 2030) | 6.67 % |
| Market Concentration | Low |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Asia Pacific Sea Freight Forwarding Market Analysis
The Asia Pacific Sea Freight Forwarding Market size is estimated at USD 144.55 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 198.42 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of greater than 6.67% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
In the APAC region, businesses increasingly favor ocean freight for cost-effective bulk shipments over long distances. Key ports, including Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Singapore, play crucial roles in distributing China's manufactured goods globally. The recent inauguration of Chancay Port in Peru in November 2024 is poised to reshape the Asia Pacific sea freight forwarding landscape. As a component of China's Belt and Road Initiative, Chancay Port promises to slash shipping durations from Peru to China down to 23 days. This significant reduction is anticipated to trim logistics costs by a minimum of 20%, making trade between these regions more appealing. Consequently, Asia Pacific freight forwarders might see a surge in demand for services tied to imports from Latin America, especially agricultural goods.
Advancements like the development of mega-ships have bolstered ocean freight's efficiency, further solidifying its status as the go-to choice for businesses keen on optimizing logistics expenses. Across the APAC landscape, ports, airports, and road networks are undergoing substantial infrastructure investments. Initiatives like China's Belt and Road Initiative aim to enhance regional connectivity and refine trade routes. In October 2023, COSCO Shipping Group, over the last decade, has poured in a hefty RMB 79 billion (USD 10.82 billion) into the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). This investment, aimed at refining shipping routes, ports, and integrated logistics, has birthed 195 liner routes spanning BRI nations, representing 68% of COSCO's container fleet capacity. Such an expansion is set to amplify shipping capacity and efficiency, granting Asia Pacific freight forwarders access to new markets and streamlined operations.
In May 2024, Western Australia earmarked a substantial AUD 373 million (around USD 246 million) from its 2024-2025 budget to bolster port infrastructure. This move is part of a larger strategy to enhance industrial capabilities and fuel the region's economic growth.
Asia Pacific Sea Freight Forwarding Market Trends
Growing Demand for LCL Shipping Due to Rise of E-Commerce
As e-commerce continues its rapid expansion, the demand for Less than Container Load (LCL) shipping solutions has surged. Several key factors, aligning with the needs of today's online retailers, drive this trend. In the fiercely competitive e-commerce arena, speed is paramount. LCL shipping empowers businesses to replenish inventory more frequently and swiftly respond to market demands, reducing stockouts and ensuring product availability. This agility in replenishment bolsters the overall responsiveness of the supply chain. In February 2024, Maersk officially announced the designation of Shanghai as its new global gateway for Less-than-Container-Load (LCL) shipments. This strategic initiative marks a significant evolution in the logistics and shipping sector, particularly for consolidating shipments from nearby countries to be transported globally. Maersk is enhancing its LCL global consolidation network, introducing over 50 new trade lanes that will connect to and from Shanghai, resulting in more than 200 direct LCL routes facilitated through the port. This expansion aims to improve service coverage and operational efficiency.
Asia has witnessed a meteoric rise in online shopping, fueled by internet penetration, rising disposable incomes, and widespread smartphone access. In a matter of years, this shift towards online shopping has catalyzed substantial e-commerce growth. China's e-commerce sector, as reported by the Ministry of Commerce, saw consistent growth in the first 11 months of 2024. Online retail sales, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, reached CNY 14 trillion (USD 1.92 trillion), marking a 7.4 percent increase from the same period in 2023. E-commerce businesses, often juggling diverse product lines and fluctuating order volumes, benefit from LCL shipping. This method allows them to share container space, facilitating smaller, more frequent shipments without the necessity of filling an entire container. Such flexibility is vital for adapting to shifting consumer demands and seasonal sales fluctuations.
Moreover, the burgeoning e-commerce landscape has catalyzed advancements in freight technology, enhancing the accessibility and manageability of LCL shipping. Digital freight forwarding platforms now offer instant online shipping quotes, simplifying the comparison of LCL rates and streamlining the booking and cargo tracking processes for businesses.
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Growing Popularity of Green Ship Logistics in Japan
Governments and international organizations are tightening regulations to curb greenhouse gas emissions from the shipping industry. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has set a target to reduce carbon intensity by 5% by 2025, using 2020 levels as a benchmark. In March 2023, Japan and California inked a pivotal deal to create a green shipping corridor, underscoring their commitment to sustainable maritime practices. This corridor aims to cut greenhouse gas emissions and bolster the environmental sustainability of shipping between the two locales. The agreement highlights joint efforts in pioneering green technologies, emphasizing alternative fuels and energy-efficient practices. This corridor is poised to deliver economic and environmental gains, spurring innovation and shrinking the maritime transport's carbon footprint.
In April 2024, Hutchison Ports Thailand (HPT) reaffirmed its dedication to environmental sustainability with its "Go Green" initiative, marking three years of consistent efforts. HPT's initiative zeroes in on minimizing environmental impact and championing sustainability in the maritime sector.
In January 2024, Japan and Singapore launched a "Green and Digital Shipping Corridor" through a partnership involving six Japanese ports and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA). This initiative dovetails with Japan's "Carbon Neutral Port" vision, targeting carbon neutrality by 2050. Highlights from the participating ports include:
Port of Kawasaki: Aspires to be a carbon-neutral energy hub and industrial center.
Port of Kobe: Unveiled a greenhouse gas reduction strategy and evaluated hydrogen demand.
Port of Nagoya: Set its sights on carbon neutrality by 2050.
Port of Osaka: Crafted a strategy to tackle greenhouse gas emissions.
Port of Tokyo: Laid out plans to enhance port functions for carbon neutrality.
Port of Yokohama: Is working on decarbonizing operations and is keen on importing alternative fuels like hydrogen and ammonia.
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Asia Pacific Sea Freight Forwarding Industry Overview
In the Asia Pacific sea freight forwarding market, global logistics giants and regional players coexist, creating a dynamic and fragmented landscape. Dominating the scene are industry titans such as DHL, DB Schenker, FedEx, Nippon Express, C.H. Robinson, A.P. Moller - Maersk, SG Holdings Co., Ltd., Kuehne + Nagel, and Sinotrans Limited.
Countries like China, Japan, and India, witnessing rapid economic growth, have seen a surge in demand for efficient freight forwarding services. This demand is further amplified by the burgeoning e-commerce sector and the rise of manufacturing hubs in these nations.
Companies frequently form strategic alliances and pursue mergers, aiming to bolster their service offerings and broaden their market presence. Such consolidations empower these firms to better compete with the industry's larger players.
In February 2024, FedEx unveiled its new Less-than-Container Load (LCL) Priority service, targeting enhanced connectivity between the Asia Pacific and Middle East markets. Launched by both FedEx Logistics and FedEx Express, this service offers a customs-cleared solution, whether port-to-door or door-to-door, striking a balance between speed and cost-effectiveness. This move sets a fresh benchmark for logistics efficiency. The initiative is a direct response to the expected trade surge between the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations and Asia, with projections hitting USD 578 billion by 2030. Such figures underscore a growing commitment to fortifying trade ties.
Asia Pacific Sea Freight Forwarding Market Leaders
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DHL Group
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Kuehne + Nagel
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DB Schenker
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FedEx
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Sinotrans Limited
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
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Asia Pacific Sea Freight Forwarding Market News
- October 2024: DB Schenker has teamed up with Microsoft Cloud Logistics, aiming to boost sustainability in logistics. Their joint effort emphasizes the use of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and sustainable marine fuel (SMF), with the goal of markedly diminishing the environmental footprint of transportation. This move is a segment of a wider strategy to curtail carbon emissions in logistics, especially focusing on Scope 3 emissions from traditional fossil fuels. The partnership highlights the dedication of both firms to realize significant CO2e reductions in global supply chains.
- June 2024: GAC Group, a leading player in shipping, logistics, and marine services across the Asia-Pacific, has inked a deal to acquire the ship agency business of Quadrant Pacific, a long-time network partner in New Zealand. This move marks a pivotal moment for GAC, bolstering its operational prowess in the region. With this acquisition, GAC New Zealand gains the ability to oversee ship agency services at every port nationwide, a change poised to elevate both operational efficiency and service quality for its clientele.
Asia Pacific Sea Freight Forwarding Industry Segmentation
Sea freight forwarding, a pivotal segment of the logistics sector, specializes in maritime transportation of goods. Encompassing a suite of services, this market ensures seamless cargo movement via ships. Sea freight forwarders oversee the shipping process, acting as intermediaries between shippers and carriers. Their responsibilities span from booking cargo space and negotiating freight rates to choosing optimal shipping routes.
The market is segmented by Type (FCL, LCL) and Country (Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam). The report offers market size and forecast values (USD) for all the above segments.
| Type | Full Container Load (FCL) |
| Less-than Container Load (LCL) | |
| Country | Australia |
| China | |
| India | |
| Indonesia | |
| Japan | |
| Malaysia | |
| Thailand | |
| Vietnam | |
| Rest of APAC |
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Asia Pacific Sea Freight Forwarding Market Research FAQs
How big is the Asia Pacific Sea Freight Forwarding Market?
The Asia Pacific Sea Freight Forwarding Market size is expected to reach USD 144.55 billion in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of greater than 6.67% to reach USD 198.42 billion by 2030.
What is the current Asia Pacific Sea Freight Forwarding Market size?
In 2025, the Asia Pacific Sea Freight Forwarding Market size is expected to reach USD 144.55 billion.
Who are the key players in Asia Pacific Sea Freight Forwarding Market?
DHL Group, Kuehne + Nagel, DB Schenker, FedEx and Sinotrans Limited are the major companies operating in the Asia Pacific Sea Freight Forwarding Market.
What years does this Asia Pacific Sea Freight Forwarding Market cover, and what was the market size in 2024?
In 2024, the Asia Pacific Sea Freight Forwarding Market size was estimated at USD 134.91 billion. The report covers the Asia Pacific Sea Freight Forwarding Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the Asia Pacific Sea Freight Forwarding Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
Asia Pacific Sea Freight Forwarding Industry Report
Statistics for the 2025 Asia Pacific Sea Freight Forwarding market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligenceā¢ Industry Reports. Asia Pacific Sea Freight Forwarding analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2025 to 2030 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
