Global maritime freight transport market is projected to witness a CAGR of 4.12% during the forecast period 2025-2032, growing from USD 421.23 billion in 2024 to USD 581.83 billion in 2032F, owing to globalization, e-commerce expansion, technological advancements, and evolving supply chain dynamics. This is a market that never stops moving, quite literally. From oil tankers to container vessels, from Singapore’s shipping lanes to the Port of Rotterdam, maritime freight is the backbone of global trade. Over 80% of international merchandise by volume rides the waves. But this is no longer just about scale. It is about smart logistics, digitization, and carbon compliance.
The world is asking for more maritime freight, faster turnaround, tech-enabled tracking, and a lighter footprint. Port congestion, warzones, and decarbonization pressures are rewriting how global fleets operate. Meanwhile, mega-carriers and regional players alike are leaning into multimodal efficiency, real-time visibility, and resilient routing. It is not just freight anymore, but a strategy.
For instance, in June 2025, Hamburg’s economic authority, the Hamburg Port Authority (HPA), and Ocean Network Express (Europe) Ltd. (ONE) have signed an agreement on the future use of shore power supply. The signing took place during the ""Transport Logistic 2025"" trade fair in Munich. Since May 2024, the Port of Hamburg has offered shore power for cruise and container ships and aims to equip all container terminals with shore power systems by the end of 2025.
Trade Route Shifts and New Port Infrastructure Boost Global Maritime Freight Flow
Global trade is being rerouted, literally. Geopolitical volatility in the Red Sea and rising intra-Asia trade have made alternate port infrastructure and new maritime corridors essential to supply chain continuity. New lanes, faster links. The geography of trade is shifting, and maritime freight is steering the change. This isn’t peripheral. This is foundational. New hubs mean new flow. And that reshapes global trade patterns.
In February 2024, India’s Adani Ports announced the commissioning of its deep-draft Vizhinjam transshipment hub, designed to compete with Colombo and Singapore for container transshipment in the Indian Ocean. The port is expected to reduce vessel idling and cut regional transshipment costs by 20%. It was later inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May 2025.
Rise of Multimodal Logistics and Digitally Integrated Shipping Drives the Global Maritime Freight Transport
Shipping is no longer isolated. The most competitive freight lines now offer plug-and-play connectivity with rail, road, and air, all backed by IoT and software visibility. Digitization isn't a feature anymore. It’s the default. What moves the goods is now as important as what knows where they are.
For instance, in April 2024, Hapag-Lloyd AG launched its “Live Tracking” IoT container service, integrating cargo status with predictive ETAs and exceptions across its rail-sea network in Europe. The company also added 300,000 smart containers equipped with sensor tags by mid-2024.
Shippers want real-time ETAs, supply chain predictability and fewer surprises. That’s efficiency digitally amplified. Smart containers aren’t luxury, they’re leverage.
Containerized Goods Maintain Market Leadership
Among cargo types, containerized goods dominate due to their flexibility, high turnaround, and growing demand in both consumer and industrial sectors. They also enable standardization, automation, and multimodal alignment, especially vital in post-COVID logistics. Containers aren’t just units. They’re the currency of global logistics. This isn't fleet fluff, it’s strength in the standard. Containers are still the backbone of cargo strategy.
For instance, in June 2023, Ocean Network Express (ONE) commissioned 10 new eco-friendly container ships with 24,000+ TEU capacity, each equipped with methanol-ready engines and real-time fleet visibility systems. These vessels are aimed at Europe-Asia and trans-Pacific routes where container demand remains high despite economic headwinds.
Asia-Pacific leads the Global Maritime Freight Transport Market
The Asia-Pacific region, home to 9 of the world’s top 10 busiest ports, continues to drive global volume, fueled by export-led economies, new regional agreements, and port automation. When Asia expands, the entire market sails with it.
For instance, in May 2025, Singapore’s Tuas Port, the world’s largest automated port, has processed 10 million containers since opening in September 2022. The port operates with over 200 autonomous electric vehicles that transport containers at 15.5 mph, monitored via a digital twin command center. The Maritime and Port Authority plans to add 200 more vehicles as the port expands and aims to consolidate other ports into Tuas to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Scopes like Ningbo-Zhoushan and Busan are also scaling up, deepening channels, expanding berths, and investing in automation. This expansion isn’t incremental; it's exponential. And it’s a clarion call, when Asia builds capacity, global freight flows follow.
Impact of the U.S. Tariff on Global Maritime Freight Transport Market
1. Project Scope and Definitions 2. Research Methodology 3. Impact of U.S. Tariffs 4. Executive Summary 5. Voice of Customers 5.1. Reputation and Reliability 5.2. Network Coverage and Port Accessibility 5.3. Transit Time and Frequency 5.4. Expertise and Service Offerings 6. Global Maritime Freight Transport Market Outlook, 2018-2032F 6.1. Market Size Analysis & Forecast 6.1.1. By Value 6.2. Market Share Analysis & Forecast 6.2.1. By Cargo Type 6.2.1.1. Dry Bulk 6.2.1.2. Liquid Bulk 6.2.1.3. Containerized Goods 6.2.1.4. General Cargo 6.2.2. By Technology Integration 6.2.2.1. IoT and Sensor Technology 6.2.2.2. Blockchain Solutions 6.2.3. By Type of Service 6.2.3.1. Freight Transportation 6.2.3.2. Warehousing and Storage 6.2.4. By Service 6.2.4.1. Port and Cargo Handling 6.2.4.2. Route Surveys 6.2.4.3. Multimodal Transportation 6.2.4.4. Lifting Equipment Management 6.2.4.5. Packing & Crew Management 6.2.5. By Region 6.2.5.1. North America 6.2.5.2. Europe 6.2.5.3. Asia-Pacific 6.2.5.4. South America 6.2.5.5. Middle East and Africa 6.2.6. By Company Market Share Analysis (Top 5 Companies and Others – By Value, 2024) 6.3. Market Map Analysis, 2024 6.3.1. By Cargo Type 6.3.2. By Technology Integration 6.3.3. By Type of Service 6.3.4. By Service 6.3.5. By Region 7. North America Maritime Freight Transport Market Outlook, 2018-2032F 7.1. Market Size Analysis & Forecast 7.1.1. By Value 7.2. Market Share Analysis & Forecast 7.2.1. By Cargo Type 7.2.1.1. Dry Bulk 7.2.1.2. Liquid Bulk 7.2.1.3. Containerized Goods 7.2.1.4. General Cargo 7.2.2. By Technology Integration 7.2.2.1. IoT and Sensor Technology 7.2.2.2. Blockchain Solutions 7.2.3. By Type of Service 7.2.3.1. Freight Transportation 7.2.3.2. Warehousing and Storage 7.2.4. By Service 7.2.4.1. Port and Cargo Handling 7.2.4.2. Route Surveys 7.2.4.3. Multimodal Transportation 7.2.4.4. Lifting Equipment Management 7.2.4.5. Packing & Crew Management 7.2.5. By Country Share 7.2.5.1. United States 7.2.5.2. Canada 7.2.5.3. Mexico 7.3. Country Market Assessment 7.3.1. United States Maritime Freight Transport Market Outlook, 2018-2032F* 7.3.1.1. Market Size Analysis & Forecast 7.3.1.1.1. By Value 7.3.1.2. Market Share Analysis & Forecast 7.3.1.2.1. By Cargo Type 7.3.1.2.1.1. Dry Bulk 7.3.1.2.1.2. Liquid Bulk 7.3.1.2.1.3. Containerized Goods 7.3.1.2.1.4. General Cargo 7.3.1.2.2. By Technology Integration 7.3.1.2.2.1. IoT and Sensor Technology 7.3.1.2.2.2. Blockchain Solutions 7.3.1.2.3. By Type of Service 7.3.1.2.3.1. Freight Transportation 7.3.1.2.3.2. Warehousing and Storage 7.3.1.2.4. By Service 7.3.1.2.4.1. Port and Cargo Handling 7.3.1.2.4.2. Route Surveys 7.3.1.2.4.3. Multimodal Transportation 7.3.1.2.4.4. Lifting Equipment Management 7.3.1.2.4.5. Packing & Crew Management 7.3.2. Canada 7.3.3. Mexico *All segments will be provided for all regions and countries covered 8. Europe Maritime Freight Transport Market Outlook, 2018-2032F 8.1. Germany 8.2. France 8.3. Italy 8.4. United Kingdom 8.5. Russia 8.6. Netherlands 8.7. Spain 8.8. Turkey 8.9. Poland 9. Asia-Pacific Maritime Freight Transport Market Outlook, 2018-2032F 9.1. India 9.2. China 9.3. Japan 9.4. Australia 9.5. Vietnam 9.6. South Korea 9.7. Indonesia 9.8. Philippines 10. South America Maritime Freight Transport Market Outlook, 2018-2032F 10.1. Brazil 10.2. Argentina 11. Middle East and Africa Maritime Freight Transport Market Outlook, 2018-2032F 11.1. Saudi Arabia 11.2. UAE 11.3. South Africa 12. Demand Supply Analysis 13. Value Chain Analysis 14. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis 15. PESTLE Analysis 16. Market Dynamics 16.1. Market Drivers 16.2. Market Challenges 17. Market Trends and Developments 18. Policy and Regulatory Landscape 19. Case Studies 20. Competitive Landscape 20.1. Competition Matrix of Top 5 Market Leaders 20.2. SWOT Analysis for Top 5 Players 20.3. Key Players Landscape for Top 10 Market Players 20.3.1. Mediterranean Shipping Company SA 20.3.1.1. Company Details 20.3.1.2. Key Management Personnel 20.3.1.3. Products and Services 20.3.1.4. Financials (As Reported) 20.3.1.5. Key Market Focus and Geographical Presence 20.3.1.6. Recent Developments/Collaborations/Partnerships/Mergers and Acquisition 20.3.2. Ocean Network Express Pte. Ltd 20.3.3. Pacific International Lines 20.3.4. Hyundai Merchant Marine 20.3.5. Hapag-Lloyd AG 20.3.6. Prime Maritime Logistics Company Ltd 20.3.7. UCB Maritime Logistics Ltd 20.3.8. Algeposa Group S.A. 20.3.9. NaviGate Logistics Ltd 20.3.10. Gulf Agency Company Ltd. *Companies mentioned above DO NOT hold any order as per market share and can be changed as per information available during research work. 21. Strategic Recommendations 22. About Us and Disclaimer
Learn how to effectively navigate the market research process to help guide your organization on the journey to success.
Download eBook