United States Sea Freight Forwarding Market Size 2026–2034

Introduction

The United States sea freight forwarding market plays a critical role in sustaining the country’s position as one of the world’s largest trading economies. Acting as the invisible backbone of global commerce, sea freight forwarders coordinate the movement of goods between manufacturers, exporters, importers, ports, shipping lines, customs authorities, and inland transport networks. While the industry has matured, it continues to evolve in response to changing trade patterns, technological integration, rising e-commerce demand, and ongoing supply chain reconfiguration.

According to Renub Research, the United States sea freight forwarding market is anticipated to witness a sluggish growth from US$ 22.68 billion in 2025 to US$ 34.85 billion by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of 4.89% during 2026–2034. This steady growth trajectory reflects both resilience and structural challenges, including port congestion, freight rate volatility, and infrastructure constraints. However, sustained international trade, rising containerized cargo, and growing reliance on third-party logistics providers continue to reinforce the industry’s long-term importance.

Download Free Sample Report

United States Sea Freight Forwarding Market Overview

Sea freight forwarding is a logistics service that manages the shipment of goods by ocean from one country to another on behalf of shippers. Freight forwarders act as intermediaries between exporters and importers, shipping lines, port authorities, and customs agencies. Their responsibilities include cargo booking, documentation, customs coordination, warehousing, consolidation, and shipment tracking. This model enables businesses to outsource complex shipping processes while improving cost efficiency and regulatory compliance.

In the United States, demand for sea freight forwarding remains high due to the nation’s dependence on international trade and its extensive port infrastructure along both the Atlantic and Pacific coastlines. Major ports such as Los Angeles, Long Beach, New York–New Jersey, Savannah, Houston, and Seattle–Tacoma serve as gateways for consumer goods, industrial equipment, agricultural exports, and raw materials. Businesses rely on freight forwarders to optimize routing, reduce shipping costs, and manage evolving regulatory requirements.

Furthermore, the continued rise of e-commerce, manufacturing imports, and export-oriented industries has intensified the need for reliable and scalable ocean logistics solutions. Sea freight remains the preferred mode for transporting large-volume, heavy, or non-urgent cargo, offering significant cost advantages over air freight.

Market Growth Drivers

Rising International Trade and Import Volumes

The expansion of global trade remains the strongest growth driver for the U.S. sea freight forwarding market. As one of the world’s largest trading nations, the United States depends heavily on ocean transport for bulk commodities, manufactured products, and consumer goods. Sea freight offers unmatched economies of scale for long-distance shipping, making it indispensable for international commerce.

Freight forwarders enable smooth cross-border trade by coordinating shipping schedules, managing customs documentation, and organizing inland transportation. As U.S. companies diversify sourcing locations and expand international partnerships, demand for professional forwarding services continues to increase. Trade volumes directly translate into shipping demand, reinforcing market growth.

Growth of Retail, E-commerce, and FMCG Supply Chains

Retail, e-commerce, and fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sectors are reshaping logistics requirements across the country. Ocean freight remains the most cost-effective method for importing large quantities of apparel, electronics, home goods, and packaged food. Freight forwarders help retailers manage inventory flow, seasonal demand fluctuations, and efficient distribution to domestic fulfillment centers.

As omnichannel retail expands and private-label sourcing grows, companies increasingly seek dependable logistics partners capable of handling global supply chains. Strategic investments by major logistics providers further strengthen this segment. For example, Maersk’s establishment of a new ground freight station and integrated linehaul hub in Georgia enhances end-to-end logistics coverage across the Southeastern United States, demonstrating the industry’s shift toward integrated services.

Increasing Demand for Integrated Logistics Services

Modern businesses are moving beyond standalone transportation toward comprehensive logistics solutions. Today’s sea freight forwarders offer integrated services such as warehousing, inland trucking, customs brokerage, and real-time tracking. These value-added offerings enhance visibility, reduce transit delays, and optimize total logistics costs.

Technology-driven platforms are also transforming operations. Digital booking systems, automated documentation, and AI-powered freight matching improve efficiency and transparency. Innovations such as Waavely, a next-generation ocean freight management platform launched by Freight Technologies, highlight the industry’s shift toward smarter, data-driven logistics ecosystems.

Key Challenges in the Market

Port Congestion and Infrastructure Limitations

Port congestion remains a persistent issue across major U.S. gateways. Rising cargo volumes, labor shortages, and limited terminal capacity contribute to vessel delays, increased dwell times, and rising operational costs. Congestion disrupts delivery schedules, complicates inventory planning, and strains supply chain reliability.

Freight forwarders must invest additional resources in rerouting shipments, coordinating intermodal transfers, and managing customer expectations. While infrastructure upgrades are underway in some regions, congestion continues to challenge service efficiency, particularly during peak seasons.

Freight Rate Volatility and Cost Pressures

Global ocean freight rates are subject to significant fluctuations influenced by fuel prices, demand cycles, capacity imbalances, and geopolitical developments. Sudden rate changes create pricing uncertainty, complicating long-term contracts and financial planning.

For freight forwarders, balancing cost competitiveness with profitability is an ongoing challenge. Smaller and mid-sized companies are particularly vulnerable to margin compression, while customers demand greater transparency and predictable pricing structures.

Segment Analysis

United States FCL Sea Freight Forwarding Market

The Full Container Load (FCL) segment is driven by exporters and importers shipping bulk volumes. FCL allows a single shipper to use an entire container, providing enhanced security, faster transit times, and lower per-unit costs. U.S. manufacturers, wholesalers, and exporters favor FCL for industrial equipment, electronics, and consumer goods.

Freight forwarders play a crucial role in container allocation, port handling, documentation, and inland distribution. As international trade expands and supply chains become more structured, FCL shipments are expected to maintain strong demand due to their efficiency and reliability.

Transportation and Warehousing Services

Transportation and warehousing represent a rapidly expanding service segment. Forwarders increasingly bundle ocean transport with trucking, rail, and storage solutions to provide end-to-end logistics. Warehousing near major ports supports consolidation, inventory management, and faster regional distribution.

As businesses seek to reduce operational complexity and improve supply chain visibility, integrated transportation and warehousing services are becoming essential. Forwarders offering flexible storage, real-time tracking, and efficient cargo handling gain a significant competitive edge.

Industry Applications

Retail and FMCG

Retail and FMCG are among the largest users of sea freight forwarding services in the United States. Ocean freight enables economical importation of high-volume products while supporting seasonal demand cycles. Freight forwarders assist retailers with customs clearance, delivery scheduling, and distribution center coordination, ensuring inventory availability while minimizing logistics costs.

Healthcare

Healthcare logistics involves transporting medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and consumables. While air freight is used for urgent or temperature-sensitive items, sea freight remains vital for bulk shipments of non-urgent medical products. Forwarders ensure regulatory compliance, secure handling, and appropriate packaging. With rising healthcare manufacturing and imports, demand for compliant and reliable sea freight services continues to grow.

Textiles and Apparel

The U.S. textile and apparel industry depends heavily on ocean transport for sourcing raw materials, fabrics, and finished garments. Sea freight offers the most economical solution for high-volume, low-margin shipments. Freight forwarders manage seasonal logistics, customs processes, and delivery schedules, enabling fashion brands to maintain supply chain continuity.

Manufacturing

Manufacturing represents a cornerstone of the U.S. sea freight forwarding market. Companies import raw materials and export machinery, automotive components, chemicals, and industrial equipment. Freight forwarders provide container logistics, multimodal transport, and regulatory documentation, supporting production continuity while optimizing transportation costs.

Regional Insights

California Sea Freight Forwarding Market

California leads the U.S. sea freight forwarding industry due to its strategic Pacific coastline and major ports serving Asian trade routes. The state handles massive volumes of consumer goods, electronics, machinery, and agricultural exports. Forwarders in California specialize in congestion management, intermodal connectivity, and large-scale warehousing, making the region a cornerstone of U.S. ocean logistics.

New York Sea Freight Forwarding Market

New York plays a pivotal role in transatlantic trade. Its proximity to major consumer markets drives high volumes of imports and exports, including pharmaceuticals, textiles, and industrial products. Freight forwarders in this region focus on high-value cargo handling, compliance, and efficient inland distribution.

Washington Sea Freight Forwarding Market

Washington’s export-oriented economy—driven by agriculture, forestry, and manufacturing—supports strong demand for sea freight forwarding. Forwarders assist exporters with documentation, customs processes, and multimodal transportation, enabling efficient access to overseas markets.

New Jersey Sea Freight Forwarding Market

New Jersey serves as a logistics and distribution hub for the Northeastern United States. Its proximity to major East Coast ports and dense consumer markets supports strong activity in retail, pharmaceuticals, and manufacturing. Integrated services such as warehousing and last-mile delivery strengthen the state’s role in regional logistics.

Market Segmentation

By Type:

Full Container Load (FCL)

Less-than Container Load (LCL)

Others

By Services:

Packaging and Labelling

Documentation and PO Management

Charter Services

Transportation and Warehousing

Others

By Vertical:

Retail and FMCG

Manufacturing

Consumer Appliances

Healthcare

Textile

Others

By Top States:

California, Texas, New York, Florida, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Georgia, New Jersey, Washington, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Virginia, Michigan, Maryland, Colorado, Tennessee, Indiana, Arizona, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Missouri, Connecticut, South Carolina, Oregon, Louisiana, Alabama, Kentucky, Rest of the United States

Competitive Landscape

Leading players in the U.S. sea freight forwarding market include:

Agility Logistics

Bolloré Logistics

C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc.

CEVA Logistics

Deutsche Bahn AG

Deutsche Post AG

Expeditors International

Geodis

Hellmann Worldwide Logistics SE & Co. KG

Kerry Logistics Network Limited

Each company is evaluated across five key viewpoints: Overview, Key Personnel, Recent Developments, SWOT Analysis, and Revenue Analysis. These firms continue to invest in digital platforms, integrated services, and global partnerships to strengthen market positioning.

Final Thoughts

The United States sea freight forwarding market remains a fundamental pillar of global trade and domestic supply chain operations. While growth is projected to be moderate, rising from US$ 22.68 billion in 2025 to US$ 34.85 billion by 2034 at a CAGR of 4.89%, the industry’s strategic importance is undeniable.

Expanding international trade, the evolution of e-commerce, and the demand for integrated logistics solutions continue to drive long-term opportunity. At the same time, challenges such as port congestion, infrastructure constraints, and freight rate volatility demand operational resilience and technological innovation.

As supply chains become more complex and global commerce continues to evolve, sea freight forwarders will remain at the heart of international logistics—connecting markets, enabling trade, and shaping the future of maritime transportation in the United States.