| Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
| Base Year For Estimation | 2024 |
| Forecast Data Period | 2025 - 2030 |
| Market Size (2025) | USD 82.31 Billion |
| Market Size (2030) | USD 97.75 Billion |
| CAGR (2025 - 2030) | 3.57 % |
| Market Concentration | Low |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Europe Sea Freight Forwarding Market Analysis
The Europe Sea Freight Forwarding Market size is estimated at USD 82.31 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 97.75 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 3.57% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
In recent years, the sea freight forwarding market in Europe has witnessed a surge in digitization. Key drivers of this market expansion include economic growth, a rising population, and heightened industrialization. Among Europe's 20 major marine ports adept at handling container loads, Antwerp, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Piraeus, and Bremerhaven stand out as the largest and busiest. Member companies of the global freight forwarders network offer forwarding services to all major European sea ports. They can load separate containers for FCL (Full Container Load) shipments or consolidate cargo with others for LCL (Less than Container Load) shipments. Notably, Europe accounts for a significant 40% of the growth in the sea freight forwarding market.
Rising demand for cargo vessels and heightened cross-border trading activities are propelling the studied market's notable expansion in Europe. The burgeoning e-commerce sector, coupled with the rollout of free-trade agreements, is fortifying cross-border maritime trade, resulting in a surge in sea freight volumes.
Nearly 95% of the UK’s imports and exports are transported by sea through over 400 British ports. With a robust infrastructure network backing it, Spain stands out as a pivotal player in European shipping and logistics.
Europe Sea Freight Forwarding Market Trends
FMCG Drives Europe Sea Freight Market
Global players in Europe are increasingly organizing and executing international transportation for fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG). These goods encompass household chemicals, personal hygiene items, and other non-durable products.
Technology's rising role in logistics is propelling sea freight forwarding market growth. In Europe, technological innovations are reshaping the FMCG supply chain. To optimize the FMCG product supply chain, logistics operators are increasingly turning to technologies like the Internet of Things, robotics, analytics, and big data. In light of this tech trend, logistics and IT firms are pursuing strategies such as collaboration, horizontal integration, and mergers and acquisitions. Furthermore, the FMCG sector's demand for customization and swift deliveries has driven suppliers to harness technologies, aiming to expedite delivery times and minimize inventory. For instance, in the UK, DHL Group's digital freight platform, branded as Saloodo, seeks to bridge the gap between shippers and transport service providers via its online interface.
In December 2024, container rates in Europe and the Mediterranean fell, even as inclement weather led to congestion at several European ports. The FMCG sea freight market in Europe is poised for low to mid single-digit organic revenue growth, driven by a gradual rebound in sales volume and a shifting mix. Currently, ocean rates are at least double their levels from a year prior, with the ongoing Red Sea Crisis, persisting despite military interventions by Israel and the US, being the primary contributor.
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Germany is a Key Region for Europe Sea Freight Forwarding Market
Germany's economy heavily relies on its marine sector, generating an annual turnover nearing EUR 50 billion and supporting around 400,000 jobs. With over 2,700 seagoing vessels, Germany commands 29% of the global container-carrying capacity. The nation is home to nine shipyards and roughly 2,800 companies engaged in shipbuilding and ocean-related industries.
In 2023, German shipyards received orders for 22 new maritime vessels, a notable rebound from the record lows of 2022. In the first half of 2024, the Port of Hamburg handled 3.8 million TEUs, a figure that closely aligns with the same period last year, showing a slight dip of just 0.3%. Container volumes edged up by 0.5%, totaling 3.4 million TEUs. Meanwhile, conventional general cargo handling rose by 4.3%, amounting to 585,000 tonnes. In total, general cargo throughput held steady at 39.2 million tonnes. In the first half of the year, the Hamburg port processed 55.9 million tonnes of seaborne cargo, reflecting a 3.9% dip compared to the previous year.
In the first half of 2024, the Port of Hamburg saw a modest rise of nearly 1% in the number of container ship calls. This uptick was predominantly fueled by medium-sized and smaller vessels. In contrast, calls from larger container ships, those exceeding a 10,000 TEU capacity, witnessed a decline across all size categories compared to the previous year. This shift underscores the ongoing crisis in the Red Sea, where disruptions from Houthi rebels have prompted shipping companies to take the longer detour around the Cape of Good Hope.
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Europe Sea Freight Forwarding Industry Overview
The Europe Sea Freight Forwarding market is fragmented in nature, with a mix of global and regional players. The market in is expected to grow due to several factors, such as technology integration, and growing economies.
Technologies are among the important differentiators in the logistics market, and the leading competitors strive to develop in the market by adopting new and advanced technology.
Some of the major players in the market include Kuehne + Nagel International AG, DHL, DB Schenker, DSV Global, Bollore Logistics.
Europe Sea Freight Forwarding Market Leaders
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Kuehne + Nagel International AG
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DHL
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DB Schenker
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DSV Global
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Bollore Logistics
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
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Europe Sea Freight Forwarding Market News
- October 2024: European Union regulators have greenlit two acquisitions by MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company, underscoring the group's expanding focus on logistics. The first acquisition involves MSC acquiring a 50% controlling stake in HHLA (Hamburger Hafen Aktiengesellschaft), which operates container terminals and offers port services in Hamburg. The second deal sees MSC taking over Clasquin, a France-based mid-sized international freight forwarder and logistics firm.
- February 2024: With the European Commission's nod, CMA CGM inches closer to bolstering its foothold in the multimodal market through its acquisition of Bolloré Logistics. In April of the previous year, CMA CGM Group kicked off exclusive talks with the Bolloré Group, eyeing a takeover of Bolloré Logistics' transportation and logistics operations, in a deal estimated at around €4.6bn (USD 4.74 billion).
Europe Sea Freight Forwarding Industry Segmentation
Sea freight forwarding entails orchestrating the international maritime shipping of goods, meticulously planning and executing the supply chain.
A complete background analysis of the Europe Sea Freight Forwarding market, including the assessment of the economy and contribution of sectors in the economy, market overview, market size estimation for key segments, and emerging trends in the market segments, market dynamics, and geographical trends is covered in the report.
Europe sea freight forwarding market is segmented by end user (automotive, chemicals, FMCG, retail (hypermarket, supermarket, convenience stores and e-commerce), fashion & lifestyle (apparel and footwear), reefer (fruits, vegetables, pharma, meat, fish and seafoods), technology (consumer electronic and home appliances), other end users), type (full container load, less than container load, other types) and country (Germany, France, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Italy, rest of Europe). The report offers the market size in value terms in USD for all the above mentioned segments.
| End User | Automotive |
| Chemicals | |
| FMCG(Fast-moving Consumer Goods) | |
| Retail(Hypermarket, Supermarket, Convinence Stores, and e-commerce) | |
| Fashion & Lifestyle(Apparel and Footwear) | |
| Reefer (Fruits, Vegetables, Pharma, Meat, Fish, Seafoods) | |
| Technology(Consumer Electronics, Home Appliances) | |
| Other End-users | |
| Type | Full Container Type |
| Less than Container Load | |
| Other Types | |
| Country | Germany |
| France | |
| Netherlands | |
| United Kingdom | |
| Italy | |
| Rest of Europe |
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Europe Sea Freight Forwarding Market Research FAQs
How big is the Europe Sea Freight Forwarding Market?
The Europe Sea Freight Forwarding Market size is expected to reach USD 82.31 billion in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 3.57% to reach USD 97.75 billion by 2030.
What is the current Europe Sea Freight Forwarding Market size?
In 2025, the Europe Sea Freight Forwarding Market size is expected to reach USD 82.31 billion.
Who are the key players in Europe Sea Freight Forwarding Market?
Kuehne + Nagel International AG, DHL, DB Schenker, DSV Global and Bollore Logistics are the major companies operating in the Europe Sea Freight Forwarding Market.
What years does this Europe Sea Freight Forwarding Market cover, and what was the market size in 2024?
In 2024, the Europe Sea Freight Forwarding Market size was estimated at USD 79.37 billion. The report covers the Europe Sea Freight Forwarding Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the Europe Sea Freight Forwarding Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
Europe Sea Freight Forwarding Industry Report
Statistics for the 2025 Europe Sea Freight Forwarding market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Europe Sea Freight Forwarding 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.
