| Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
| Market Size (2025) | USD 35.64 Billion |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 43.65 Billion |
| CAGR (2025 - 2030) | 4.50 % |
| Fastest Growing Market | Asia Pacific |
| Largest Market | Asia Pacific |
| Market Concentration | Medium |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Break Bulk Shipping Market Analysis
The Break Bulk Shipping Market size is estimated at USD 35.64 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 43.65 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 4.5% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
The break bulk shipping market has experienced significant developments, influenced by geopolitical tensions, regulatory changes, and evolving industry practices. Recent U.S. sanctions imposed on Russia’s oil supply chain have notably disrupted trade routes to China and India, leading to increased shipping costs and a search for alternative oil sources by these nations.
Effective January 1, 2025, the European Union will implement new marine fuel regulations. These regulations mandate that commercial ships exceeding 5,000 gross tonnage operating in EU ports reduce emissions or incur penalties. The limited availability of alternative fuels such as biodiesel and LNG, coupled with competition from other sectors, is expected to result in increased costs, which will likely be transferred to consumers and businesses.
The Indian government has approved the Coastal Shipping Bill, 2024, aimed at modernizing and streamlining the shipping industry. Key reforms include the removal of the trading license requirement for Indian-flagged vessels engaged in coastal trade, alignment of regulations with international standards, and integration of coastal maritime transport with inland waterways. These measures are anticipated to enhance the competitiveness of domestic shipping operators and establish a more efficient and cost-effective transport chain.
Additionally, the Union Budget 2024-25 prioritizes multi-modal connectivity through the development of economic railway corridors and port connectivity corridors. These initiatives are designed to improve logistics efficiency, reduce costs, and strengthen the overall competitiveness of the shipping industry.
Break Bulk Shipping Market Trends
Surge in Heavy Machinery and Equipment Transport
The break-bulk shipping market is experiencing significant growth, driven by the increasing demand for transporting heavy machinery and equipment, particularly for large-scale infrastructure and construction projects. In 2024, Konecranes, a global leader in lifting equipment, secured a major contract with Saudi Aramco to supply heavy-duty cranes for critical oil and gas infrastructure projects. These cranes, often too large and heavy for standard containers, require break-bulk shipping solutions. This partnership highlights the rising demand for specialized shipping services capable of handling oversized, high-value construction machinery. The transportation of heavy machinery in the oil, energy, and construction sectors is projected to maintain its upward trajectory through 2025.
Wallenius Wilhelmsen, a key player in the break-bulk shipping industry, expanded its fleet capacity in 2024 to accommodate the growing need for transporting heavy construction equipment, including bulldozers, cranes, and excavators. The company’s investment in environmentally friendly vessels, such as its EcoShip series, demonstrates a strategic focus on sustainable transport solutions to meet the increasing demand. This approach aligns with the surge in heavy machinery transportation, particularly in the Middle East, where large-scale infrastructure projects are accelerating.
In the United States, Crowley Maritime has been addressing the rising demand for heavy machinery shipments. In early 2024, the company was awarded a contract by the Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA) to transport heavy construction equipment required for power grid modernization. This includes the movement of large transformers and cranes. Crowley’s strategic investments in larger, specialized vessels have been instrumental in enhancing its break-bulk capabilities to meet these logistical requirements.
SPL Group, a logistics and heavy cargo transport company, partnered with Cargill in 2024 to support a major renewable energy project in South America. The project involves transporting wind turbine components and large-scale excavation equipment from European ports to Brazil. This strategic alliance underscores the increasing global volume of heavy machinery transportation, particularly in the renewable energy sector, where infrastructure development continues to expand.
These developments illustrate how leading industry players are responding to the growing demand for transporting heavy construction machinery. By investing in fleet expansion, forming strategic partnerships, and entering new markets, companies in the break-bulk shipping sector are positioning themselves to address the evolving requirements of heavy machinery transportation through 2024 and 2025.
Understand The Key Trends Shaping This Market
Download PDF
Expansion of Break-Bulk Shipping in Asia-Pacific
The Asia-Pacific region has experienced robust growth in break-bulk shipping, driven by increasing infrastructure development and industrial projects. A key contributor to this expansion is China COSCO Shipping Corporation, which in 2024 significantly enhanced its break-bulk shipping capacity across the Asia-Pacific. This initiative aligns with the company’s strategic investments in larger, specialized vessels to address the rising demand for transporting industrial and construction equipment, particularly for large-scale projects in Southeast Asia and Australia. In 2024, the company introduced new services connecting China with critical Asia-Pacific markets, including Indonesia, Vietnam, and Australia, thereby strengthening its regional footprint. This strategic expansion highlights the growing demand for reliable shipping solutions capable of handling oversized cargo, such as construction machinery, steel, and heavy infrastructure components.
In Australia, the rapid growth of the mining sector has fueled demand for break-bulk shipping services, particularly for transporting large machinery and equipment. In response, Swire Shipping, a subsidiary of the Swire Group, announced in late 2024 the enhancement of its break-bulk services to support mining and infrastructure projects in the region. The company launched a new shipping route connecting major Australian ports to China, Japan, and South Korea, specifically designed to transport mining equipment, steel beams, and large construction materials. This expansion aligns with Australia’s mining boom, which has created a growing need for large cargo shipments to support the sector’s increasing reliance on heavy machinery for extraction and processing.
Meanwhile, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), a leading Japanese shipping company, expanded its break-bulk operations in the Asia-Pacific region. In early 2025, MOL introduced a new fleet of specialized break-bulk carriers to meet the rising demand for transport services between South Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asia. The company’s investment in eco-friendly vessels, such as the “MOL Super Green” fleet, reflects its commitment to reducing carbon emissions while efficiently managing oversized cargo, including wind turbine components and industrial equipment. This initiative aligns with the growing need for specialized transportation services in the region, particularly in the renewable energy and heavy construction sectors gaining momentum in countries like Vietnam and Indonesia.
In January 2025, BYD, China’s leading electric vehicle manufacturer, announced plans to complete a USD 1 billion manufacturing plant in Indonesia by the end of 2025, with an annual production of 150,000 electric vehicles. This expansion highlights the importation of vehicles and components, often via breakbulk shipping, to facilitate manufacturing operations. BYD led Indonesia’s EV market in 2024 with a 36% market share, selling 15,429 units. The project underscores the growth of breakbulk shipping in Asia-Pacific as companies like BYD invest in regional production.
These developments underscore the critical role of break-bulk shipping in the Asia-Pacific region. Industry leaders such as China COSCO, Swire Shipping, MOL, and Great Eastern Shipping are strategically expanding their services and fleets to meet the growing demand for ocean transport of heavy and oversized cargo in this rapidly developing market.
Get Analysis on Important Geographic Markets
Download PDF
Break Bulk Shipping Industry Overview
The break bulk shipping market exhibits moderate concentration, with key players such as Maersk Line, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, and CMA CGM Group holding significant market shares. These companies provide extensive breakbulk services, while numerous smaller and specialized firms contribute to a competitive market environment. This mix of dominant players and niche operators results in a medium level of market concentration.
Recent market developments have been shaped by geopolitical factors and shifting trade routes. For example, the global trade realignment away from China has prompted shipowners to prioritize smaller vessels over ultra-large ones, altering the dynamics of breakbulk shipping. Additionally, the record-high order book for container vessels has raised concerns about potential overcapacity, which could impact the breakbulk segment. These factors highlight the dynamic and evolving competitive landscape of the breakbulk shipping industry.
Break Bulk Shipping Market Leaders
-
Maersk Line
-
MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)
-
CMA CGM Group
-
COSCO Shipping Lines
-
Hapag-Lloyd
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Need More Details on Market Players and Competiters?
Download PDF
Break Bulk Shipping Market News
- January 2025: Stora Enso, a global leader in renewable packaging, biomaterials, and wood products, significantly increased its operations at the Port of Hanko, Finland. The company quadrupled its cargo volumes, underscoring its commitment to enhancing supply chain efficiency and supporting the growing demand for break-bulk shipping services.
- September 2024: In India, Great Eastern Shipping made a significant investment in break-bulk shipping services. The company announced plans to deploy larger vessels capable of transporting heavy machinery and construction materials, aligning with India’s ambitious infrastructure development agenda. The Indian government’s focus on major infrastructure projects, including the Bharatmala Pariyojana and Sagarmala Project, has driven demand for break-bulk services, particularly for the large-scale transport of steel, cement, and heavy construction equipment.
Break Bulk Shipping Industry Segmentation
The break bulk shipping market involves the transportation of non-containerized cargo, including heavy machinery, vehicles, and construction materials, that are too large or irregularly shaped for standard containers. It includes various logistics services, such as ocean shipping, terminal handling, and inland transportation, to facilitate the movement of these specialized goods.
The report provides a comprehensive background analysis of the break bulk shipping market, covering the current market trends, restraints, technological updates, and detailed information on various segments and the industry's competitive landscape. Additionally, the impact of geopolitics and the pandemic has been incorporated and considered during the study. The break bulk shipping market is Segmented By Cargo Type (Heavy machinery and equipment,Vehicles, Infrastructure materials and Odd-shaped cargo), By End User (Mining, Oil & Gas, Manufacturing, Agriculture and Forestry, Construction, Infrastructure and Other End Users ) and By Region (Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, South America and Other Regions). The report offers the break bulk shipping market size and forecasts in values (USD) for all the above segments.
| By Cargo Type | Heavy machinery and equipment ( Excavators, bulldozers, cranes etc.) |
| Vehicles ( Trains, locomotives, trams etc.) | |
| Infrastructure materials (Steel beams, bridge parts and windmill blades) | |
| Odd-shaped cargo (Silos, tanks, boilers, presses, tubes etc.) | |
| By End User | Mining |
| Oil & Gas | |
| Manufacturing | |
| Agriculture and Forestry | |
| Construction and Infrastructure | |
| Other End Users | |
| By Region | Asia-Pacific |
| Europe | |
| North America | |
| South America | |
| Other Regions |
Need A Different Region or Segment?
Customize Now
Break Bulk Shipping Market Research FAQs
How big is the Break Bulk Shipping Market?
The Break Bulk Shipping Market size is expected to reach USD 35.64 billion in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 4.5% to reach USD 43.65 billion by 2030.
What is the current Break Bulk Shipping Market size?
In 2025, the Break Bulk Shipping Market size is expected to reach USD 35.64 billion.
Who are the key players in Break Bulk Shipping Market?
Maersk Line, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), CMA CGM Group, COSCO Shipping Lines and Hapag-Lloyd are the major companies operating in the Break Bulk Shipping Market.
Which is the fastest growing region in Break Bulk Shipping Market?
Asia Pacific is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2025-2030).
Which region has the biggest share in Break Bulk Shipping Market?
In 2025, the Asia Pacific accounts for the largest market share in Break Bulk Shipping Market.
What years does this Break Bulk Shipping Market cover, and what was the market size in 2024?
In 2024, the Break Bulk Shipping Market size was estimated at USD 34.04 billion. The report covers the Break Bulk Shipping Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the Break Bulk Shipping Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
Break Bulk Shipping Industry Report
Statistics for the 2025 Break Bulk Shipping market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Break Bulk Shipping analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2025 to 2030 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
