Inland Water Transport Market Report 2025

The inland water transport market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $19.64 billion in 2024 to $20.88 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to agricultural transport, bulk cargo transport, infrastructure development, environmental advantages, trade and commerce, industrialization.

The inland water transport market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $27.18 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to sustainable practices, inland port development, tourism development, river restoration projects, economic growth in riverine areas, water resource management. Major trends in the forecast period include fleet with eco-friendly technologies, smart ports and terminals, inland waterway information systems, predictive maintenance systems, intermodal connectivity with rail and road.

The forecast of 6.8% growth over the next five years reflects a slight reduction of 0.1% from the previous projection. This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. Rising tariffs on navigation electronics and safety equipment many of which are imported from Europe and Asia may disrupt the modernization of inland water fleets and hinder efficiency gains. The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.

Companies are actively promoting lean and green practices in inland transportation, focusing on various measures to enhance efficiency and environmental sustainability. This includes the adoption of natural gas in shipping, the implementation of improved vessel designs, efficient cargo loading and unloading processes, and retrofitting old equipment in ships with emission reduction devices. Additionally, companies are investing in hull cleaning and coating, as well as high-performance propellers and nozzles. The industry is also exploring advanced propulsion systems such as fuel cell hybrid drive technologies, which are expected to become available in the market soon. These efforts collectively contribute to the steady growth of the inland transport market in the coming years.

The rising industrial production index is projected to drive growth in the inland water transport market in the coming years. The industrial production index (IPI) serves as a statistical measure that tracks the volume of goods and services produced within a country over a specific timeframe. By comparing the IPI for the inland water transport sector to the IPI of the broader industrial sector, the index can be used to assess this sector's performance. For example, as reported by the Federal Reserve Board - a U.S.-based governing body of the Federal Reserve System - industrial capacity grew by 1% in 2022 and by 2.3% in 2023. It is expected to increase by an additional 1.2% in 2024. Thus, the upward trend in the industrial production index fuels the growth of the inland water transport market.

In February 2024, Ingram Barge Company LLC (Ingram), a U.S.-based provider of inland waterway transport, acquired Inland River Transport Holdings LLC, known as SCF, for an undisclosed sum. This acquisition is intended to strengthen Ingram's service offerings and operational capabilities in its expansive river transportation network. Inland River Transport Holdings LLC (SCF) is also a U.S.-based company specializing in inland river transport and logistics.

Major companies operating in the inland water transport market include Ingram Barge Company, Kirby Corporation, Canal Barge Company Inc., Marquette Transportation Company LLC, American Commercial Barge Line LLC, SEACOR Holdings Inc., Tidewater Transportation and Terminals, Bouchard Transportation Co. Inc., Campbell Transportation Company Inc., Florida Marine Transporters LLC, ACL Transportation Services, Danser Group, Groupe Charles André, Cargill Transportation, Imperial Logistics, Fospar S/A, Naviera Fluvial Paraguaya S.A., HMM Co. Ltd, MOL Logistics Co. Ltd, Louis Dreyfus Company, Hamburg Süd Group, ArcelorMittal Shipping, Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK Line), Northern Shipping Company, Rhenus Logistics, Balearia Eurolineas Maritimas S.A., CMA CGM Group, Damen Shipyards Group, DFDS A/S, BBC Chartering.

Western Europe was the largest region in the inland water transport market in 2024. Asia-Pacific was the second largest region in the inland water transport market. The regions covered in the inland water transport market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the inland water transport market report are Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Bangladesh, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Hong Kong, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, France, Germany, UK, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Iran, Turkey, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa.

The market for inland water transport includes revenues earned by entities by providing navigation as well as drainage, irrigation, water supply, and hydroelectric power generation. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The sharp rise in U.S. tariffs and the resulting trade tensions in spring 2025 are having a considerable impact on the transport services sector by increasing the costs of vehicles, spare parts, and fuel - critical inputs frequently imported from tariff-affected regions. Freight operators, logistics companies, and public transportation providers are experiencing margin pressures as elevated equipment and maintenance expenses coincide with limited flexibility to pass these costs on to customers due to intense market competition. This climate of uncertainty has also led to delays in fleet upgrades and the adoption of greener, more energy-efficient vehicles, hindering progress toward sustainability objectives. In response, transport firms are enhancing route optimization, investing in fuel-efficient technologies, renegotiating supplier agreements, and adopting collaborative logistics strategies to share resources and cushion the financial impact of rising tariffs.

The inland water transport market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides inland water transport market statistics, including inland water transport industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an inland water transport market share, detailed inland water transport market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the inland water transport industry. This inland water transport market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

Inland water transportation encompasses the movement of goods and passengers over non-sea water bodies, accommodating vessels with a minimum capacity of 50 tons when fully loaded. This mode of transport operates on lakes, rivers, or intracoastal waterways.

The primary segments within the inland water transport market include freight and passenger transportation. Inland water freight transport pertains to navigating water bodies that are not part of the ocean but are navigable for vessels. Utilizing inland waterways for transporting goods offers cost-effectiveness and fuel efficiency.

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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