Sweden Freight And Logistics Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
Sweden’s freight and logistics network is valued at USD 27.46 billion in 2025 and is forecast to expand to USD 33.11 billion by 2030, reflecting a 3.81% CAGR (2025-2030). The upswing stems from sustained infrastructure spending, accelerating electrification of heavy‐duty transport, and rapid adoption of warehouse automation. Robust trade links with the rest of Europe anchor demand, while the Port of Gothenburg’s capacity hike is drawing additional maritime flows. Air freight transport, although small, is advancing quickly on the back of high-value manufacturing exports and rising cross-border e-commerce parcels. Meanwhile, rail volumes are beginning to climb as carbon pricing tilts cargo away from roads, and a dense parcel locker network is easing last-mile constraints in major cities.
Key Report Takeaways
- By end-user industry, manufacturing led with 34.80% revenue share of the Sweden freight and logistics market in 2024, whereas wholesale & retail trade is forecast to post the strongest 4.08% CAGR between 2025-2030.
- By logistics function, the freight transport segment led with 63.45% revenue share in Sweden freight and logistics market in 2024; the courier, express and parcel (CEP) segment is advancing fastest, with international CEP services posting a 4.54% CAGR between 2025-2030.
- By freight transport mode, road freight held 63.41% of Sweden freight and logistics market share in 2024, while air freight is projected to register the strongest 4.29% CAGR between 2025-2030.
- By CEP segment, domestic deliveries captured 63.88% share of the Sweden freight and logistics market size in 2024; international CEP values are growing at a 4.54% CAGR between 2025-2030.
- By warehousing and storage type, non-temperature-controlled facilities accounted for 91.76% share in 2024, whereas temperature-controlled space is forecast to expand at a 3.66% CAGR between 2025-2030.
- By freight forwarding service, sea and inland waterways dominated with 70.77% share in 2024, and the fastest growth with CAGR of 4.04% between 2025-2030.
Sweden Freight And Logistics Market Trends and Insights
Drivers Impact Analysis
Driver | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
---|---|---|---|
Government Investments into Green Freight Corridors and Electrified Road Networks | +1.0% | National, with concentration along major highways E20 and E4 | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
Expansion of Gothenburg Port Capacity to Support Export-Oriented Industries | +1.1% | Western Sweden, with spillover effects nationwide | Medium term (2-4 years) |
Shift of Cargo from Road to Rail Driven by Carbon Taxation and EU "Fit-for-55" Policies | +0.8% | National, with emphasis on major freight corridors | Medium term (2-4 years) |
Growing Adoption of Warehouse Automation and Robotics to Offset Labor Shortages | +0.6% | Urban centers (Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö) | Medium term (2-4 years) |
Surge in Parcel Volumes Accelerating Last-Mile Delivery Demand Across Sweden | +0.4% | National, with concentration in urban and suburban areas | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
Source: Mordor Intelligence
Government Investments into Green Freight Corridors and Electrified Road Networks
Sweden plans to electrify 2,000 km of high-traffic highways by 2030, including the world’s first permanent electric road on the E20 corridor[1]Euronews Staff, “Sweden Builds the World’s First Permanent Electrified Road,” euronews.com . Dynamic charging will shrink truck battery packs by up to 71%, cutting vehicle weight and cost. Because road freight transport held a 63.41% share of the freight transport segment in 2024, corridor electrification is set to reshape cost structures for long-haul operators and accelerate heavy-duty EV adoption.
Expansion of Gothenburg Port Capacity to Support Export-Oriented Industries
The Arendal 2 terminal, completed in 2024 at a cost of EUR 60 million (USD 66.21 million), adds 144,000 m² of quay and storage, lifting annual box handling well beyond the record 914,000 TEUs set in 2023. Rail track upgrades now enable 240 trains per day, triple the previous limit. The port’s deepened fairway broadens the vessel mix and anchors Sweden's freight and logistics market growth by supporting export-led manufacturers.
Shift of Cargo from Road to Rail Driven by Carbon Taxation and EU “Fit-for-55” Policies
The inclusion of shipping in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS) and higher road user fees make rail more cost-competitive. Studies project marine fuel costs will rise 11-42% within the European Economic Area, encouraging shippers to channel higher-density cargo to rail. National greenhouse-gas reduction goals further underpin the pivot, although analysts caution that incentives must stay ahead of the decarbonizing road fleet.
Growing Adoption of Warehouse Automation and Robotics to Offset Labor Shortages
An inventory of 50 major retailers shows a marked shift toward goods-to-person systems, autonomous mobile robots, and digital twins, with automation intensity set to rise sharply by 2030. Staffing gaps, especially in aging rural districts, propel demand for automated storage and retrieval as operators safeguard service levels despite a projected 410,000 worker shortfall.
Restraints Impact Analysis
Restraint | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
---|---|---|---|
Capacity Constraints on Key Rail Freight Lines (Nordic Triangle) Causing Delays | -0.6% | Major rail corridors connecting Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Malmö | Medium term (2-4 years) |
High Logistics Costs from Long-Haul Distances and Low Back-haul Utilization in North | -0.4% | Northern Sweden (Norrland region) | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
Driver Shortage Exacerbated by Aging Workforce and Restrictive Migration Rules | -0.3% | National, with greater impact in rural areas | Medium term (2-4 years) |
Port Strikes and Labour-Union Disruptions Affecting Container Throughput | -0.3% | Port cities (primarily Gothenburg) | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
Source: Mordor Intelligence
Capacity Constraints on Key Rail Freight Lines Causing Delays
Rail carries a significantly lower share of national freight, partly because the Nordic Triangle corridor lacks slots for rising cargo flows. The Malmbanan iron ore line suffered multiple derailments in 2023, halting trade for weeks. Although SEK 165 billion (USD 16.35 billion) has been earmarked for rail upgrades through 2033, industry groups argue the outlay falls short of the SEK 280 billion (USD 27.74 billion) needed to clear critical choke points[2]Swedish Transport Administration, “National Transport Infrastructure Plan 2022-2033,” trafikverket.se.
High Logistics Costs from Long-Haul Distances and Low Back-haul Utilization in the North
Sparse density forces trucks to return empty on northern routes, pushing unit costs 25-40% above the national mean[3]OECD, “International Trade in the Wake of Multiple Shocks,” oecd.org . Transport makes up as much as 18% of production expenses for forestry and mining firms, reducing competitiveness until the Bothnian Corridor rail link is completed later next decade.
Segment Analysis
By End-User Industry: Manufacturing Drives Logistics Demand
The manufacturing segment accounted for the largest share of around 34.80% in 2024 within the Sweden freight and logistics market. Automotive, machinery, and high-tech producers funnel considerable volumes through Gothenburg and intermodal depots, requiring time-defined, multimodal solutions. The wholesale and retail trade segment followed at 25.54% in 2024, yet its 4.08% forecast CAGR (2025-2030) signals that online retail’s parcel surges will steadily close the gap. Construction, at 8.37% in 2024, leans on bulk transport for cement, steel, and project cargo tied to the green-energy build-out. Agriculture, fishing, and forestry jointly held 7.45% in 2024; strong pulp exports via Gothenburg kept flows resilient despite global price swings. Mining and energy, although only 1.27% in 2024, underpin dedicated rail and port infrastructure in the North.
Growth prospects differ across verticals. Manufacturing continues to retool for electrified mobility and low-CO₂ metals, spurring demand for inbound battery cells and outbound finished vehicles. Wholesale and retail trade is leveraging parcel lockers and same-day services to sharpen customer propositions. Construction logistics gains from state funding for electrified highways and port expansions. Resource sectors depend on rail reliability; any disruption diverts high-tonnage ore back to road, stressing sustainability goals. Broadly, 8 in 10 Nordic consumers now weigh sustainability in purchasing, pressuring shippers across every vertical to decarbonize distribution.
Note: Segments share of all individual segments available upon report purchase
By Logistics Function: Freight Transport Dominates While Courier, Express, and Parcel (CEP) Accelerates
Freight transport generated 63.45% of total revenues in Sweden freight and logistics market in 2024. Road freight transport remained king, handling short-haul pallets, groupage, and temperature-controlled food distribution. Sea and inland waterways freight transport, at 22.25% share of the freight transport segment in 2024, benefited from direct Asia loops calling Gothenburg. Rail freight transport, 10.23% in 2024, gained share where green-steel producers signed forward contracts for zero-carbon rail haulage. Air freight transport’s 2.15% share in 2024 is small yet strategic for high-value electronics and urgent spares, growing at a CAGR of 4.29% from 2025-2030. The CEP segment, worth USD 3.08 billion in 2024, captured 11.69% share of the total revenues on the strength of e-commerce and next-day cross-border offering. Freight forwarding, with a 12.26% share of total revenues in 2024, is consolidating as global intermediaries acquire niche Scandinavian brokers to scale digital booking tools. The warehousing and storage segment’s 5.43% share of total revenues in 2024 is the hotbed of automation trials; non-temperature facilities dominate with a 91.76% segment share.
Margin trends vary. Road carriers face higher capital outlays as they electrify fleets, yet lower fuel and maintenance expenses offset some costs. Maritime lines must factor ETS charges, nudging them toward LNG, methanol, or biodiesel. Air cargo operators embed sustainable aviation fuel surcharges in Scandinavia’s largest gateways. Forwarders are merging to fund visibility platforms that can span every mode. Warehouse operators invest heavily in robotics, trading higher capex for labor savings and improved throughput.
By Courier, Express & Parcel: E-commerce Reshapes Delivery Networks
The CEP arena processed USD 3.08 billion in 2024 revenue, with domestic parcels worth USD 1.97 billion (63.88%). International flows, though smaller, are forecast to outpace domestic at 4.54% CAGR (2025-2030). E-commerce orders translated into 243 million parcels for PostNord alone in 2023, up 6% year on year. Consumers prize optionality: 59% want to select delivery mode, and parcel-locker preference climbed to 20% in 2023 from 5% four years earlier. Home delivery is still preferred by 68% of shoppers, but only 42% of merchants provide it, leaving white space for innovators.
Competition is fierce. PostNord commanded the highest segment share in 2023, trailed by DHL with second highest segment share. Deutsche Bahn/DB Schenker, UPS, and FedEx each hold low-single-digit portions. Consolidation looms: DSV’s 2025 takeover of DB Schenker broadens cross-border parcel capacity. Technology is decisive in the current market. PostNord’s AI-enhanced Rosersberg sorter lifts hourly throughput 70%, raising accuracy to 99.8%. Operators race to electrify last-mile vans to satisfy city clean-air mandates.
By Warehousing & Storage: Automation Transforms Operations
Warehouse services totaled USD 1.43 billion in 2024. Non-temperature buildings make up USD 1.32 billion (91.76%) in 2024 as Sweden’s exports lean toward paper, machinery, and consumer goods. The sector’s Sweden freight and logistics market share for automated solutions is rising as retailers deploy goods-to-person technology to handle SKU proliferation. Average automation penetration is forecast to double by 2030. Case in point: a logistics property in Borås changed hands in 2024, prized for its AutoStore grid and 12-ton floor load.
Temperature-controlled warehousing, worth USD 0.12 billion in 2024, services pharmaceuticals and a thriving frozen-food sector. EQT’s acquisition of Constellation Cold Logistics underscores private equity’s appetite for temperature-controlled nodes. Operators upgrade to natural refrigerants and pursue BREEAM certifications to lock in multinational tenants that pledge science-based targets.
By Freight Transport Mode: Road Flexibility Meets Rail Sustainability
Road freight transport posted USD 10.60 billion in 2024 receipts, equal to 63.41% of freight movement. Its reach across dispersed towns remains unmatched, particularly for perishables and home-delivery parcels. The Sweden freight and logistics market size for road freight transport is forecast to advance at 3.66% CAGR from 2025 to 2030 as charging corridors lower the total cost of ownership for battery electric trucks. Sea and inland waterways freight transport stood at USD 3.72 billion (22.25%) in 2024, anchored by Gothenburg’s deep-sea links and Stena Line’s Baltic ro-ro lanes. Rail freight transport tallied USD 1.71 billion (10.23%) in 2024; the figure could climb if capacity upgrades in the Nordic Triangle keep pace with demand. Air freight transport lifted USD 0.36 billion (2.15%) in 2024, driven by semiconductor equipment and biotech shipments that value speed over cost.
Rail’s competitiveness hinges on infrastructure works funded under the SEK 165 billion (USD 16.35 billion) national plan. Shippers are ready to switch high-density cargo once block-train paths are guaranteed. Road hauliers plan to halve emissions by 2030 through a mix of electric and biogas fleets. Maritime operators prepare to pass through ETS costs, but also pilot green methanol bunkering. Air cargo’s growth remains tied to belly capacity on intercontinental passenger flights; schedule restoration following the pandemic is a tailwind.

Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
By Freight Forwarding: Maritime Dominance Amid Modal Integration
Forwarding revenue reached USD 3.23 billion in 2024. Sea and Inland Waterways freight forwarding represented USD 2.29 billion (70.77%) in 2024, mirroring Sweden’s export profile of heavy and bulky goods. The Sweden freight and logistics market size for sea and inland waterways freight forwarding is forecast at a 4.04% CAGR from 2025-2030, helped by integrated digital platforms that stitch together sea and last-mile legs. Air freight forwarding, USD 0.20 billion (6.25%) in 2024, caters to just-in-time supply chains in electronics and life sciences. The remaining USD 0.74 billion covers customs clearance, project cargo, and supply-chain advisory.
Consolidation is brisk. Logwin bought Infranordic Shipping in late 2024 to fortify Scandinavian reach and integrate TMS solutions. Buyers seek scale to tap into real-time visibility, CO₂ tracking, and compliance modules. Forwarders also secure rail capacity blocks as a hedge against maritime ETS surcharges.
Geography Analysis
Western Sweden, anchored by Gothenburg, is the country’s foremost logistics gateway. The port handled 57% of national container throughput and logged 5% volume growth in H1 2024. Adjacent rail upgrades tripled daily train slots, connecting export-heavy clusters in Jönköping and Västra Götaland. Ongoing fairway deepening accommodates larger LNG-ready vessels, reinforcing the Sweden freight and logistics market as an indispensable Nordic hub.
The Stockholm-Mälaren basin hosts Sweden’s largest consumer catchment. Distribution centers around Eskilstuna and Västerås support next-day parcel delivery across the capital region. Rising demand for choice drives investment in micro-fulfillment sites and parcel-locker grids. E-commerce players deploy AI demand-planning to minimize urban traffic peaks while preserving service promises. Proximity to Arlanda’s expanding cargo apron supports time-critical pharma and fashion imports destined for central Sweden boutiques.
Competitive Landscape
The Sweden freight and logistics market features a blend of global integrators and specialized regional operators. DSV’s USD 15.7 billion takeover of DB Schenker in April 2025 elevates the Danish group into the top tier of Nordic service providers and unlocks cost synergies of up to USD 770 million annually. PostNord remains one of the top CEP leaders; its digital-twin sorting platform boosts throughput 6-8% while trimming error rates, preserving its edge in a margin-tightening parcel market. DHL, another significant player in the market, showcased its green credentials by opening a solar-powered logistics center in Örebro in January 2025.
Regional challengers carve out niches. Bring targets full fossil-free parcel delivery by 2025 and already reports a 51% CO2 cut versus 2012 levels. Instabee leverages app-based aggregation to match deliveries with consumer schedules, chipping at incumbents’ urban share. Real-estate investors such as Storebrand and EQT funnel capital into automated and temperature-controlled warehouses, letting 3PLs scale without heavy balance-sheet strain.
Strategy pivots toward end-to-end control. A.P. Moller-Maersk’s USD 45 million omnichannel facility in Torsvik melds warehousing with contract logistics, aligning with its goal of sourcing half of group revenue from non-ocean services by 2030. Forwarders and carriers alike are bundling visibility, compliance, and sustainable-fuel options to retain multinational shippers tightening Scope 3 reporting.
Sweden Freight And Logistics Industry Leaders
-
DSV A/S (including DB Schenker)
-
DHL Group
-
PostNord (incl. PostNord Sverige AB)
-
A.P. Moller - Maersk (including Maersk Sverige AB)
-
Green Cargo
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

Recent Industry Developments
- April 2025: DSV completed its EUR 14.22 billion (USD 15.69 billion) acquisition of DB Schenker, creating a USD 37 billion revenue logistics giant.
- March 2025: A.P. Moller-Maersk opened a 43,000-sqm automated warehouse in Torsvik powered by 100% renewables.
- February 2025: PostNord commissioned a USD 65 million AI-driven sorter in Rosersberg, raising capacity to 40,000 parcels per hour.
- January 2025: DHL inaugurated a 25,000-sqm BREEAM-Excellent logistics hub in Örebro featuring 1.2 GWh solar output.
Sweden Freight And Logistics Market Report Scope
Freight and logistics involve road, rail, sea, and air transportation and supporting services such as warehousing, storage, freight forwarding, and customs brokerage for domestic and international trade. The report provides a complete background analysis of the Swedish freight and logistics market, which includes an assessment of the economy, a market overview, market size estimation for critical segments, emerging trends in the market, market dynamics, and key company profiles covered in the report. The report also covers the impact of COVID-19 on the market.
The Swedish freight and logistics market is segmented by function (freight transport, freight forwarding, warehousing, value-added services, and other functions) and end-user (manufacturing and automotive, oil and gas, mining, and quarrying, agriculture, fishing, and forestry, construction, distributive trade (wholesale and retail segments - FMCG included), and other end users (telecommunications, pharmaceuticals, etc.).
The report offers market size and forecasts for the Sweden freight & logistics market in value (USD) for all the above segments.
By End User Industry | Agriculture, Fishing, and Forestry | |||
Construction | ||||
Manufacturing | ||||
Oil and Gas, Mining and Quarrying | ||||
Wholesale and Retail Trade | ||||
Others | ||||
By Logistics Function | Courier, Express, and Parcel (CEP) | By Destination Type | Domestic | |
International | ||||
Freight Forwarding | By Mode Of Transport | Air | ||
Sea and Inland Waterways | ||||
Others | ||||
Freight Transport | By Mode Of Transport | Air | ||
Pipelines | ||||
Rail | ||||
Road | ||||
Sea and Inland Waterways | ||||
Warehousing and Storage | By Temperature Control | Non-Temperature Controlled | ||
Temperature Controlled | ||||
Other Services |
Agriculture, Fishing, and Forestry |
Construction |
Manufacturing |
Oil and Gas, Mining and Quarrying |
Wholesale and Retail Trade |
Others |
Courier, Express, and Parcel (CEP) | By Destination Type | Domestic | |
International | |||
Freight Forwarding | By Mode Of Transport | Air | |
Sea and Inland Waterways | |||
Others | |||
Freight Transport | By Mode Of Transport | Air | |
Pipelines | |||
Rail | |||
Road | |||
Sea and Inland Waterways | |||
Warehousing and Storage | By Temperature Control | Non-Temperature Controlled | |
Temperature Controlled | |||
Other Services |
Key Questions Answered in the Report
How large is the Sweden freight and logistics market in 2025?
It stands at USD 27.46 billion and is projected to reach USD 33.11 billion by 2030, implying a 3.81% CAGR (2025-2030).
Which freight transport mode holds the biggest share?
Road haulage dominates with 63.41% share in 2024 thanks to flexible last-mile reach.
What is the fastest-growing segment under freight transport?
Air freight transport leads with an expected 4.29% CAGR between 2025 and 2030, driven by high-value exports and e-commerce.
Who are the top CEP players in Sweden?
PostNord leads with 34.38% market share, followed by DHL at 19.65% and Posten Bring.
How is electrification shaping freight transport?
Government plans to electrify 2,000 km of highways and dynamic-charging pilot roads are set to lower operating costs for heavy-duty EVs and cut emissions across long-haul corridors.
What challenges limit rail freight growth?
Capacity bottlenecks on the Nordic Triangle corridor and funding gaps in track upgrades delay modal shift from road to rail.