Freight Forwarding Services Industry Profile

Companies in this industry provide freight forwarding and customs brokerage services. Major companies include CH Robinson Worldwide, Expeditors International of Washington, FedEx Trade Networks, UPS Supply Chain Solutions, and UTi Worldwide (all based in the US), along with CEVA Logistics (France); DB Schenker and DHL Supply Chain (Germany); Kuehne + Nagel and Panalpina (Switzerland); Nippon Express (Japan); and Sinotrans (China).

The global freight forwarding services industry generates annual revenue of more than $200 billion. China, Singapore, and South Korea are home to the world's busiest container shipping ports, as well as some of the busiest airports based on cargo volume. France, Germany, Dubai, Japan, the Netherlands, and the UK also host major international cargo hubs. Freight forwarders are targeting the Asia/Pacific region for growth.

The US freight forwarding services industry includes about 20,000 establishments (single-location companies and units of multi-location companies) with combined annual revenue of about $50 billion and is expected to grow at a moderate rate in the next two years. Key growth drivers include manufacturing and trade expansion, as well as international market growth.

Freight forwarding services providers arrange the transportation of goods by various modes on behalf of shippers. Customs brokers are included in the industry. The industry doesn't include freight carriers, logistics consultants, or supply chain management software manufacturers. A separate Warehousing & Storage profile covers that industry.