Shipbroking Market Report 2026

The shipbroking market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $1.45 billion in 2025 to $1.51 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of global seaborne trade, growth of dry bulk and tanker markets, rising demand for vessel chartering services, development of international shipping routes, increasing fleet diversification.

The shipbroking market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $1.81 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing adoption of digital brokerage platforms, rising demand for environmentally compliant vessels, expansion of alternative fuel shipping markets, growing focus on maritime data analytics, increasing regulatory oversight in shipping. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing use of digital chartering platforms, rising demand for real-time market intelligence, growing focus on data-driven freight negotiation, expansion of ship recycling and valuation services, enhanced transparency in brokerage transactions.

The rising demand for cargo logistics is projected to drive substantial growth in the shipbroking market. Cargo logistics involves the efficient planning, execution, and control of goods movement and storage from their origin to destination. The increasing globalization of supply chains and international trade has heightened the need for effective and reliable transportation and storage solutions. Shipbroking plays a crucial role in cargo logistics by negotiating and arranging sea transport, matching cargoes with vessels, and managing contracts and freight rates to ensure the smooth and cost-effective movement of goods. For instance, in June 2024, the United States Department of Transportation reported that domestic U.S. transportation via water mode reached 644 million tons in 2023 and is projected to increase to 1.23 billion tons by 2050. This growing demand for cargo logistics is driving the shipbroking market.

Key players in the shipbroking market are focusing on developing advanced digital solutions, such as vessel auction platforms, to streamline transactions and improve market transparency. Vessel auction platforms are online systems designed for the competitive bidding and selling of ships, facilitating efficient and transparent transactions in the maritime industry. For example, in September 2023, GMS Inc., a UAE-based provider of ship recycling and cash buyer services, launched the Ship Recycling Portal. This innovative platform transforms ship recycling by simplifying the sale of end-of-life vessels directly to shipyards. The portal offers real-time auctions for end-of-life vessels, allowing recyclers to bid from their offices or homes, thus eliminating the need for in-person negotiations. It provides a transparent and efficient process, enabling buyers to view competing offers and make informed decisions. The platform is also accessible to other shipowners and cash buyers, positioning itself as a key method for delivering vessels to recycling yards in the future.

In March 2025, Clarkson PLC, a UK-based shipping services company, acquired Euro America Shipping and Trade for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Clarkson aims to expand its shipbroking presence in the U.S. market and enhance its brokerage services across multiple shipping segments. Euro-America Shipping and Trade, Inc. is a US-based ship brokerage firm that offers freight contract brokerage and advisory services across dry bulk, tanker, container, multipurpose, and offshore shipping markets.

Major companies operating in the shipbroking market are Maersk Broker K/S, Clarkson Plc, Barry Rogliano Salles International S.A., Simpson Spence Young Ltd, Howe Robinson Partners Pte Ltd, Poten and Partners Inc, SPI Marine Ltd, E.A. Gibson Shipbrokers Ltd, Galbraiths Ltd, Lorentzen and Stemoco AS, McQuilling Partners Inc, Braemar Shipping Services Plc, Agora Shipbroking Corporation, Anchor Shipbroking Inc, Bright Cook & Co Limited, Charles R. Weber Company Inc, Compass Maritime Services LLC, Fearnley Securities, Interocean Group, Seacore Shipbrokers Ltd, Velian Ship Brokers, ShipServ Ltd, Maritime London Ltd, Shiplinks, Endole Ltd.

North America was the largest region in the shipbroking market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the shipbroking market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the shipbroking market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The shipbroking market includes revenues earned by entities by providing services such as vessel inspections, port agency services, freight forwarding, and cargo brokerage. 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).

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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