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US Small Freight Forwarder & NVOCC TMS Market, Opportunity, Growth Drivers, Industry Trend Analysis and Forecast, 2025-2034

Publisher Global Market Insights
Published Oct 14, 2025
Length 346 Pages
SKU # GMI20513113

Description

U.S. Small Freight Forwarder & NVOCC Transportation Management System Market was valued at USD 1.2 billion in 2024 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 9.5% to reach USD 3.1 billion by 2034.

Market growth is driven by rapid digital transformation, increasing regulatory compliance requirements, and the need for real-time visibility in logistics operations. The market’s expansion is supported by growing adoption of cloud-native, SaaS-based platforms that reduce upfront costs and enable faster deployment for small and mid-sized freight forwarders. These platforms help address operational challenges such as rate management, shipment tracking, and document automation, allowing smaller operators to compete with global logistics players. Rising demand for integrated compliance tools and AI-driven automation is further accelerating market penetration across small logistics providers.

In terms of business type, small freight forwarders (Non-NVOCC) held the dominant market position in 2024, generating USD 550 million, reflecting their significant presence in the U.S. logistics ecosystem. These forwarders are increasingly investing in TMS solutions to automate booking, invoicing, and customer communication processes, improving efficiency and reducing administrative burdens. Their reliance on technology for carrier rate management and digital documentation has become a defining factor in maintaining competitiveness.

By transportation mode, the ocean freight specialists segment generated USD 597.1 million in 2024, owing to the complexity of international trade documentation and regulatory compliance in ocean logistics. These specialists benefit from digital TMS platforms capable of managing tariffs, carrier relationships, and container tracking, ensuring operational control and visibility across global routes. The demand for automation in customs filings, EDI integration, and real-time cargo updates is driving adoption among small and mid-sized ocean freight operators.

Northeast U.S. Small Freight Forwarder & NVOCC Transportation Management System Market reached USD 355.2 million in 2024, driven by dense industrial hubs, major port activity, and a strong concentration of small and mid-sized logistics firms. The region’s demand for end-to-end visibility and regulatory compliance, particularly across high-value industries like pharmaceuticals and technology, continues to shape TMS investments. Vendors are focusing on providing scalable, modular solutions tailored for small operators navigating complex multimodal logistics networks.

Leading companies in the U.S. Small Freight Forwarder & NVOCC TMS Market are strengthening their foothold through strategic acquisitions, AI integration, and cloud-native innovation. Players such as WiseTech Global, Descartes Systems Group, Magaya, Logitude World, MercuryGate, Manhattan Associates, and Blue Yonder (JDA Software) are focusing on expanding API ecosystems, enhancing automation, and providing compliance-ready solutions for small logistics firms. WiseTech’s multi-modal integrations and Descartes’ regulatory automation capabilities enable scalability, while Magaya and Logitude cater to cost-sensitive forwarders with flexible SaaS offerings. Partnerships with carriers, marketplaces, and digital freight platforms are key strategies to expand customer reach and improve interoperability.

Table of Contents

346 Pages
Chapter 1 Methodology
1.1 Research design
1.1.1 Research approach
1.1.2 Data collection methods
1.2 Base estimates and calculations
1.2.1 Base year calculation
1.2.2 Key trends for market estimates
1.3 Forecast model
1.4 Primary research and validation
1.4.1 Some of the primary sources
1.5 Data mining sources
1.5.1 Paid sources
1.5.2 Sources, by region
1.6 Market Definitions
Chapter 2 Executive Summary
2.1 Industry 360 degree synopsis, 2024 - 2034
2.2 Key market trends
2.2.1 Regional
2.2.2 Business
2.2.3 Transportation Mode
2.2.4 Customer Size
2.2.5 Cargo Type
2.3 TAM Analysis, 2025-2034
2.4 CXO Perspectives: Strategic Imperatives
2.4.1 Key Decision Points for Industry Executives
2.4.2 Critical Success Factors for Market Players
2.5 Future Outlook
2.6 Strategic Recommendations
2.6.1 Supply Chain Diversification Strategy
2.6.2 Product Portfolio Enhancement
2.6.3 Partnership and Alliance Opportunities
2.6.4 Cost Management and Pricing Strategy
Chapter 3 Industry Insights
3.1.1 Suppliers Landscape
3.1.2 Profit Margin Analysis
3.1.3 Cost Structure Analysis
3.1.4 Value Addition at each stage
3.1.5 Factors affecting the value chain
3.1.6 Disruptions
3.2 Impact on the industry
3.2.1 Growth drivers
3.2.1.1 International Trade Growth and Complexity
3.2.1.2 E-commerce and Cross-Border Shipping Expansion
3.2.1.3 Regulatory Compliance and Documentation Requirements
3.2.1.4 Customer Demand for Real-Time Visibility and Tracking
3.2.1.5 Supply Chain Digitization Pressures
3.2.2 Industry pitfall and challenges
3.2.2.1 Legacy System Limitations and Integration Challenges
3.2.2.2 Cost Pressures and Margin Compression
3.2.3 Market Opportunities
3.2.3.1 Expansion of E-commerce and Omnichannel Retail
3.2.3.2 Rising Demand for Real-Time Visibility
3.3 Growth Potential Analysis
3.3.1 Application Growth Potential Ranking
3.3.2 Product Segment Growth Comparison
3.4 Regulatory Landscape Analysis
3.4.1 North America Regulatory Framework
3.4.2 Europe Regulatory Framework (Cross-Border Impact)
3.4.3 Asia Pacific Regulatory Framework (Cross-Border Impact)
3.4.4 Latin America Regulatory Framework (Mexico Focus)
3.4.5 Middle East & Africa Regulatory Framework (Cross-Border Impact)
3.5 Porter's analysis
3.6 PESTEL Analysis
3.7 Future Trends
3.7.1 Market Structure Transformation
3.7.2 Technology Trajectory Implications
3.7.3 Regulatory Evolution Impact
3.7.4 Competitive Landscape Evolution
3.7.5 Customer Behavior and Demand Shifts
3.8 Technology and Innovation landscape
3.8.1 Current Technology trends
3.8.1.1 Cloud-Native Architecture Adoption Rates
3.8.1.2 Mobile and User Experience Standards
3.8.1.3 Transportation Management Systems (TMS) and Platform Integration
3.8.1.4 Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) and Standards-Based Integration
3.8.1.5 IoT and Real-Time Tracking Systems
3.8.1.6 Customs Automation and Compliance Technology
3.8.1.7 Cloud-Based Platforms and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)
3.8.2 Emerging Technology Trends
3.8.2.1 Artificial Intelligence and Generative AI Systems
3.8.2.2 IoT and Real-Time Tracking Systems
3.8.2.3 Autonomous Vehicle Integration and Network Transformation
3.8.2.4 Blockchain and Smart Contract Automation
3.9 Cost breakdown analysis
3.9.1 Specific Cost Components Analysis
3.9.2 Cost Optimization Strategies by Segment
3.9.3 Margin Optimization Framework
3.9.4 Strategic Cost Management Recommendations
3.10 Patent analysis
3.10.1 Innovation Hotspots and IP Concentration
3.10.2 Patent Cliff Analysis and Implications
3.10.3 R&D Investment Patterns
3.11 Sustainability and Environmental Aspects
3.11.1 Sustainable Practice
3.11.2 Waste Reduction Strategies
3.11.3 Energy Efficiency in production
3.11.4 Environmental Initiative Impact
3.11.5 Carbon Footprint Considerations
3.12 Carbon Impact Assessment
3.12.1 Carbon Footprint Quantification
3.12.2 Regulatory Compliance Requirements
3.12.3 Sustainability Competitive Advantage
3.13 Critical Pain Points Analysis by User Segment
3.13.1 Cost Control and Budget Optimization Challenges
3.13.2 Integration and System Connectivity Pain Points
3.13.3 Flexibility and Scalability Requirements
3.13.4 Compliance and Regulatory Challenges
3.14 TMS Supplier Differentiation Analysis Framework
3.14.1 Differentiation Strategy Overview and Market Positioning
3.14.2 Regional Differentiation and Geographic Specialization
3.14.3 Customer Tier and Size-Based Differentiation
3.14.4 Vertical Specialization and Industry Focus
3.15 Freight Forwarder TMS Capability Requirements Analysis
3.15.1 Core Freight Forwarding Capabilities
3.15.2 NVOCC-Specific Requirements
3.15.3 Financial and Operational Capabilities
3.15.4 Integration and Connectivity Requirements
3.16 Marketing Channel Intelligence & Customer Acquisition Analysis
3.16.1 Marketing Channel Effectiveness Analysis
3.16.2 Sales Strategy and Customer Acquisition Analysis
3.16.3 Customer Retention and Expansion Strategies
3.16.4 Best Practice Marketing and Sales Playbooks
3.17 TMS Pricing Analysis
3.17.1 Pricing Model Analysis
3.17.2 Implementation and Professional Services Pricing
3.17.3 Total Cost of Ownership Analysis
3.17.4 Competitive Pricing Benchmarking
3.18 Strategic Positioning Framework
3.18.1 Pain Point-Based Positioning Strategy
3.18.2 Differentiation Strategy Development
3.18.3 Marketing and Sales Strategy Recommendations
3.18.4 Product Positioning and Messaging
3.18.5 Pricing Strategy and Market Positioning
3.18.6 Go-to-Market Strategy and Execution
3.18.7 Competitive Intelligence and Monitoring
Chapter 4 Competitive Landscape, 2024
4.1 Introduction
4.2 Company market share analysis
4.3 Competitive analysis of major market players
4.4 Strategic Positioning Matrix
4.5 Competitive outlook matrix
4.6 Competitive positioning matrix
4.6.1 Feature Richness vs. Ease-of-Use Analysis
4.6.2 Price vs. Functionality Positioning
4.6.3 Market Presence vs. Customer Satisfaction Heatmap
4.6.4 Technology Innovation vs. Market Maturity Assessment
4.7 Vendor product capability comparison
4.8 Key developments
4.8.1 Mergers & Acquisitions
4.8.2 Partnerships & Collaborations
4.8.3 New Product Launches
4.8.4 Expansion Plans and Funding
Chapter 5 US Small Freight Forwarder & NVOCC TMS Market, By Business Type
5.1 Key trends
5.2 Small Freight Forwarders (Non-NVOCC)
5.3 NVOCCs (Non-Vessel Operating Common Carriers)
5.4 Hybrid Freight Forwarders/NVOCCs
5.5 Specialized Freight Forwarders
Chapter 6 US Small Freight Forwarder & NVOCC TMS Market, By Transportation mode
6.1 Key trends
6.2 Ocean Freight Specialists
6.3 Air Freight Specialists
6.4 Multi-Modal Forwarders
Chapter 7 US Small Freight Forwarder & NVOCC TMS Market, By Customer size
7.1 Key trends
7.2 Micro Freight Forwarders ($1M-$10M Annual Revenue)
7.3 Small Freight Forwarders ($10M-$50M Annual Revenue)
7.4 Mid-Size Freight Forwarders ($50M-$200M Annual Revenue)
Chapter 8 US Small Freight Forwarder & NVOCC TMS Market, By Cargo type
8.1 Key trends
8.2 General Cargo Forwarders
8.3 Project Cargo & Heavy Lift Specialists
8.4 Perishables & Cold Chain Specialists
8.5 Dangerous Goods & Hazmat Specialists
8.6 Automotive & Industrial Equipment Specialists
Chapter 9 US Small Freight Forwarder & NVOCC TMS Market, By Region
9.1 Key trends
9.2 US
9.2.1 Northeast
9.2.1.1 New Hampshire
9.2.1.2 Vermont
9.2.1.3 Massachusetts
9.2.1.4 Connecticut
9.2.1.5 New York
9.2.1.6 New Jersey
9.2.1.7 Pennsylvania
9.2.1.8 Rest of Northeast
9.2.2 Southeast
9.2.2.1 West Virginia
9.2.2.2 Kentucky
9.2.2.3 Georgia
9.2.2.4 Florida
9.2.2.5 Alabama
9.2.2.6 Mississippi
9.2.2.7 Tennessee
9.2.2.8 Rest of Southeast
9.2.3 West Coast
9.2.3.1 California
9.2.3.2 Oregon
9.2.3.3 Washington
9.2.4 Midwest and Central
9.2.4.1 Ohio
9.2.4.2 Michigan
9.2.4.3 Indiana
9.2.4.4 Illinois
9.2.4.5 Wisconsin
9.2.4.6 Minnesota
9.2.4.7 North Dakota
9.2.4.8 Rest of Midwest and Central
9.2.5 Southwest
9.2.5.1 Texas
9.2.5.2 Oklahoma
9.2.5.3 New Mexico
9.2.5.4 Rest of Southwest
Chapter 10 Company Profiles
10.1 Tier 1 players
10.1.1 Magaya Corporation
10.1.1.1 Market/Business Overview
10.1.1.2 Operating Segment Overview
10.1.1.3 Financial data
10.1.1.4 Product landscape
10.1.1.5 Strategic outlook
10.1.1.6 SWOT Analysis
10.1.2 Descartes Systems Group
10.1.2.1 Company overview
10.1.2.2 Operating segment overview
10.1.2.3 Financial data
10.1.2.4 Product landscape
10.1.2.5 Strategic outlook
10.1.2.6 SWOT Analysis
10.1.3 WiseTech Global (CargoWise)
10.1.3.1 Company overview
10.1.3.2.1 Operating segment overview
10.1.3.3 Financial data
10.1.3.4 Product landscape
10.1.3.5 Strategic outlook
10.1.3.6 SWOT Analysis
10.1.4 Logitude World
10.1.4.1 Company overview
10.1.4.2 Operating segment overview
10.1.4.3 Financial data
10.1.4.4 Product landscape
10.1.4.5 Strategic outlook
10.1.4.6 SWOT Analysis
10.1.5 Softlink Global
10.1.5.1 Market/Business Overview
10.1.5.2 Operating Segment Overview
10.1.5.3 Financial data
10.1.5.4 Product landscape
10.1.5.5 Strategic outlook
10.1.5.6 SWOT Analysis
10.2 Tier 2
10.2.1 Nissan Motor
10.2.1.1 Company overview
10.2.1.2 Operating segment overview
10.2.1.3 Financial data
10.2.1.4 Product landscape
10.2.1.5 Strategic outlook
10.2.1.6 SWOT Analysis
10.2.2 SAIC Motor Corporation
10.2.2.1 Company overview
10.2.2.2 Operating segment overview
10.2.2.3 Financial data
10.2.2.4 Product landscape
10.2.2.5 Strategic outlook
10.2.2.6 SWOT Analysis
10.2.3 Tesla Inc.
10.2.3.1 Market/Business Overview
10.2.3.2 Operating Segment Overview
10.2.3.3 Financial data
10.2.3.4 Product landscape
10.2.3.5 Strategic outlook
10.2.3.6 SWOT Analysis
10.2.4 Logistics Plus TMS
10.2.4.1 Market/Business Overview
10.2.4.2 Operating Segment Overview
10.2.4.3 Financial data
10.2.4.4 Product landscape
10.2.4.5 Strategic outlook
10.2.4.6 SWOT Analysis
10.3 Emerging and Niche Freight Forwarder TMS Provider
10.3.1 Expeditors TechConnect (Cargo Signal)
10.3.1.1 Market/Business Overview
10.3.1.2 Operating Segment Overview
10.3.1.3 Financial data
10.3.1.4 Product landscape
10.3.1.5 Strategic outlook
10.3.1.6 SWOT Analysis
10.3.2 Freightos
10.3.2.1 Company overview
10.3.2.2 Operating segment overview
10.3.2.3 Financial data
10.3.2.4 Product landscape
10.3.2.5 Strategic outlook
10.3.2.6 SWOT Analysis
10.3.3 Flexport
10.3.3.1 Market/Business Overview
10.3.3.2 Operating Segment Overview
10.3.3.3 Financial data
10.3.3.4 Product landscape
10.3.3.5 Strategic outlook
10.3.3.6 SWOT Analysis
10.3.4 project44
10.3.4.1 Market/Business Overview
10.3.4.2 Operating Segment Overview
10.3.4.3 Financial data
10.3.4.4 Product landscape
10.3.4.5 Strategic outlook
10.3.4.6 SWOT Analysis
10.3.5 Amazon Logistics
10.3.5.1 Market/Business Overview
10.3.5.2 Operating Segment Overview
10.3.5.3 Financial data
10.3.5.4 Product landscape
10.3.5.5 Strategic outlook
10.3.5.6 SWOT Analysis
10.3.6 Proton Holdings-clear metal
10.3.6.1 Market/Business Overview
10.3.6.2 Operating Segment Overview
10.3.6.3 Financial data
10.3.6.4 Product landscape
10.3.6.5 Strategic outlook
10.3.6.6 SWOT Analysis
10.4 Legal and traditional Freight Software Provider
10.4.1 Oracle Transportation Management
10.4.1.1 Market/Business Overview
10.4.1.2 Operating Segment Overview
10.4.1.3 Financial data
10.4.1.4 Product landscape
10.4.1.5 Strategic outlook
10.4.1.6 SWOT Analysis
10.4.2 SAP Transportation Management
10.4.2.1 Market/Business Overview
10.4.2.2 Operating Segment Overview
10.4.2.3 Financial data
10.4.2.4 Product landscape
10.4.2.5 Strategic outlook
10.4.2.6 SWOT Analysis
10.4.3 Manhattan Associates
10.4.3.1 Market/Business Overview
10.4.3.2 Operating Segment Overview
10.4.3.3 Financial data
10.4.3.4 Product landscape
10.4.3.5 Strategic outlook
10.4.3.6 SWOT Analysis
10.4.4 JDA Software (Blue Yonder)
10.4.4.1 Market/Business Overview
10.4.4.2 Operating Segment Overview
10.4.4.3 Financial data
10.4.4.4 Product landscape
10.4.4.5 Strategic outlook
10.4.4.6 SWOT Analysis
10.4.5 MercuryGate
10.4.5.1 Market/Business Overview
10.4.5.2 Operating Segment Overview
10.4.5.3 Financial data
10.4.5.4 Product landscape
10.4.5.5 Strategic outlook
10.4.5.6 SWOT Analysis

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