Containerized Logistics System Global Market Report 2025

The containerized logistics system market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $7.93 billion in 2024 to $8.86 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.7%. The growth in the historic period is attributed to increasing adoption of cross-border e-commerce, retailers shifting to just-in-time inventory practices, urbanization driving higher consumption of imported goods, consolidation of shipments into standardized containers by shippers, and the outsourcing of logistics to third-party specialists.

The containerized logistics system market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $13.61 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to friend-shoring and nearshoring transforming regional trade routes, the expansion of shipments for renewable energy equipment, increasing demand for temperature-controlled food and medicines, stricter compliance and customs enforcement boosting reliance on professional logistics services, and the growth of free trade agreements and regional economic blocs. Major trends in the forecast period include the adoption of Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled smart containers, integration of blockchain within supply chains, emphasis on sustainable container materials, expansion of intermodal transportation, and greater use of artificial intelligence (AI) for route optimization.

The rise in e-commerce activities is expected to drive the growth of the containerized logistics system market going forward. E-commerce refers to the growing proportion of trade and retail conducted through online platforms by consumers and businesses. E-commerce activities are increasing due to broader internet access, as more people coming online enables easier participation in digital shopping, while faster and more reliable connectivity enhances user experience and encourages more frequent online transactions. Containerized logistics supports e-commerce by offering a standardized, secure, and efficient method to transport large volumes of goods across global supply chains, ensuring timely delivery from manufacturers to fulfillment centers and ultimately to consumers, which is essential for meeting the speed and reliability expectations of online shopping. For example, in August 2025, according to the Census Bureau, a US-based government agency, U.S. retail e-commerce sales in the second quarter of 2025 were estimated at $292.9 billion, up 6.2% (±0.9%) from the first quarter. Compared with the same quarter in 2024, e-commerce sales rose 5.3% (±1.2%), while overall retail sales grew 3.8% (±0.4%). E-commerce accounted for 15.5% of total retail sales during this period. Therefore, the rise in e-commerce activities is driving the growth of the containerized logistics system market.

Major companies operating in the containerized logistics system market are focusing on adopting innovative technologies such as hydrogen technology to reduce carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency, and advance sustainable transportation solutions. Hydrogen technology involves using hydrogen fuel cells or hydrogen-powered engines to generate energy, producing zero carbon dioxide emissions, reducing environmental impact, and enabling cleaner, quieter, and more efficient transportation. For example, in May 2023, Nike Inc., a US-based manufacturing company, launched the H₂ Barge 1, the world’s first hydrogen-powered inland container ship, to transport products between Rotterdam and its European Logistics Campus in Belgium. The zero-emission vessel, retrofitted with hydrogen fuel cells, reduces approximately 2,000 tons of CO₂ annually, operates quietly, and produces only water and humid air as byproducts. This initiative enhances energy efficiency, minimizes environmental impact, and supports Nike’s Move to Zero sustainability goals, reflecting a broader trend of integrating innovative, low-carbon transportation solutions into global supply chains.

In August 2023, Hapag-Lloyd AG, a Germany-based shipping and container transportation company, acquired SM SAAM’s terminal business and related logistics operations for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Hapag-Lloyd aims to significantly expand its presence in Latin America, strengthen its core liner shipping business, and build a robust and attractive terminal portfolio while continuing to deliver high-quality services to SAAM Terminals’ customers. SM SAAM is a Chile-based freight and logistics services company specializing in containerized logistics systems.

Major players in the containerized logistics system market are Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A., A.P. Moller - Maersk A/S, Deutsche Post AG, CMA CGM S.A., COSCO SHIPPING Lines Co. Ltd., Kuehne + Nagel International AG, Hapag-Lloyd AG, C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc., Nippon Express Co. Ltd., Sinotrans Limited, Expeditors International of Washington Inc., Evergreen Marine Corporation, DACHSER SE, XPO Logistics Inc., HMM Co. Ltd., ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd., Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation, Wan Hai Lines Ltd., Ocean Network Express Pte. Ltd., and Pacific International Lines (Pte) Ltd.

North America was the largest region in the containerized logistics system market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in containerized logistics system report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.

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 swift increase in U.S. tariffs and the ensuing trade tensions in spring 2025 are significantly affecting the transport services sector by driving up costs for vehicles, spare parts, and fuel, key inputs often sourced from tariff-affected regions. Freight operators, logistics providers, and public transportation systems are facing squeezed profit margins as higher equipment and maintenance costs coincide with limited ability to pass on these expenses to customers due to competitive pressures. The uncertainty has also delayed fleet modernization and the adoption of greener, more efficient vehicles, slowing progress toward sustainability goals. To adapt, transport firms are optimizing route planning, investing in fuel efficiency technologies, renegotiating supplier contracts, and exploring collaborative logistics models to share costs and mitigate the impact of higher tariffs.

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

A containerized logistics system is a method for transporting goods using standardized containers that can be efficiently moved across ships, trucks, and trains. It simplifies the handling, storage, and transfer of cargo, reducing delays and damage. It improves efficiency, security, and cost-effectiveness in the movement of materials by streamlining inventory management, minimizing handling errors, and enabling faster and more predictable delivery across complex supply chains.

The main components of containerized logistics systems include software, hardware, and services. Software consists of programs and data that direct hardware to perform tasks, enabling efficient operations, management, and analytics across systems. These can be deployed in various modes such as on-premises and cloud-based, and are used for applications including freight management, inventory tracking, order management, transportation management, warehouse management, and others. They are employed by end users such as shipping lines, freight forwarders, ports and terminals, third-party logistics providers, and others.

The countries covered in the containerized logistics system market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The containerized logistics system market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as container transportation management across multiple modes, container booking and cargo consolidation, customs clearance, container tracking and visibility, container maintenance and leasing, documentation management, warehousing and depot management, freight forwarding coordination, and use of container management software for optimized routing and utilization. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The containerized logistics system market also includes sales of standard dry containers, refrigerated containers (reefers), open-top containers, flat-rack containers, tank containers, specialty or custom containers, intralogistics containers, and handling equipment. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

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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