Cargo Shipping Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Cargo Shipping Market is projected to expand from USD 14.75 Billion in 2025 to USD 19.25 Billion by 2031, reflecting a CAGR of 4.54%. This sector involves the commercial maritime transport of raw materials, freight, and finished products using specialized vessels like tankers, dry bulk carriers, and container ships. Growth is largely fueled by a rebound in international trade volumes and rising industrial output in developing countries, which require consistent commodity movement. BIMCO estimates that global container cargo volume growth reached between 5.5 percent and 6.5 percent in 2024, driven by stronger-than-expected demand in European and North American markets.

However, the industry encounters significant hurdles due to geopolitical instability impacting key maritime chokepoints. Ongoing conflicts and security threats in areas like the Red Sea compel operators to reroute ships onto longer paths, leading to considerably higher fuel expenses and extended transit times. These disruptions severely hinder the efficiency of global supply chains.

Market Drivers

Increasing global merchandise trade volumes act as the main driver for the cargo shipping sector, directly influencing route planning and fleet utilization. As industrial manufacturing rebounds in major production zones, the demand for dependable maritime transport of commodities and semi-finished goods grows, boosting throughput on key shipping routes. The World Trade Organization's 'Global Trade Outlook and Statistics' from October 2024 projected a 2.7 percent rise in world merchandise trade volume for the year, signaling a recovery from earlier downturns. This upswing is reflected in carrier performance; Hapag-Lloyd's 'Nine-Month 2024 Financial Report' from November 2024 noted a 4.6 percent increase in transport volumes compared to the previous period, underscoring strong demand for general cargo.

Simultaneously, the boom in cross-border e-commerce is a crucial driver, pivoting the industry toward high-frequency logistics solutions. The rise of digital retail forces supply chains to restructure to handle consolidated consumer good shipments, pushing shipping lines to improve end-to-end service capabilities. This shift is apparent in the financial results of integrated logistics units supporting retail fulfillment. For instance, A.P. Moller - Maersk's 'Interim Report Q3 2024' from October 2024 reported an 11 percent year-over-year revenue increase in its Logistics & Services segment, highlighting global retailers' increasing dependence on comprehensive shipping networks to satisfy delivery demands.

Market Challenges

Geopolitical instability surrounding strategic maritime chokepoints serves as a major constraint on the cargo shipping market's expansion. Security dangers in vital areas force operators to reroute vessels from standard shortcuts, such as the Red Sea, to longer paths around the Cape of Good Hope. This navigational shift leads to longer voyage times and increased fuel consumption, which directly raises operational expenses. Furthermore, the need to utilize more vessels to uphold service frequency diminishes the effective supply of shipping capacity, thereby restricting the market's capacity to efficiently accommodate new demand.

The uncertainty linked to these disruptions further inhibits market growth by generating volatility in insurance premiums and freight rates. This financial unpredictability creates a burden for shippers and decreases global trade volumes as supply chains lose reliability. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, weekly container vessel transits through the Suez Canal dropped by 67 percent in early 2024 compared to the prior year. Such significant declines in traffic along major trade routes illustrate how regional conflicts interrupt the smooth flow of international commerce and obstruct the steady progress of the maritime transport industry.

Market Trends

The reorganization of Global Carrier Alliances is significantly transforming the competitive structure of the cargo shipping market, as leading operators dismantle historic partnerships to adopt independent or newly integrated strategies. This transition moves away from simple vessel-sharing pacts toward operational models emphasizing terminal control and schedule reliability, such as the "hub and spoke" systems used in new cooperation agreements.

Consequently, the market is splitting into distinct power blocs, with independent giants rapidly growing their fleets to rival formal alliances. As noted in a Breakbulk.News article titled 'MSC Surpasses 7 Million TEUs' in November 2025, the Mediterranean Shipping Company, acting independently, now controls roughly 21 percent of global container capacity, exceeding the combined fleet of the Gemini Cooperation. This consolidation forces intense competition based on service differentiation rather than just price.

At the same time, the swift uptake of Green Shipping Technologies is altering fleet procurement strategies as owners hasten their shift toward decarbonization to meet stricter international rules. Shipping lines are increasingly investing in dual-fuel vessels that can operate on liquefied natural gas or methanol, treating environmental compliance as a key commercial advantage.

This movement is prompting a substantial renewal of the order book, shifting the industry away from traditional heavy fuel oil ships. According to a July 2025 update from DNV’s 'Alternative Fuels Insight' platform, new orders for alternative-fuelled vessels hit 19.8 million gross tonnes in the first half of 2025, a 78 percent rise from the previous year. This increase demonstrates the sector's dedication to long-term sustainability despite current market volatility.

Key Players Profiled in the Cargo Shipping Market

• A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S
• MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company SA
• CMA CGM S.A
• Orient Overseas Container Line Ltd.
• China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited
• Evergreen International Corp.
• Hapag-Lloyd AG
• Ocean Network Express Pte. Ltd.
• Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp
• HMM (Europe) Limited

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Cargo Shipping Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Cargo Shipping Market, by Cargo Type:

• Liquid Bulk
• Dry Bulk
• General Cargo
• Container Cargo

Cargo Shipping Market, by Industry Type:

• Food & Beverages
• Manufacturing
• Oil
• Gas & Ores
• Electrical & Electronics

Cargo Shipping Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Cargo Shipping Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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