Cargo Shipping Market to Reach USD 18.47 Billion by 2030, Strong Growth Driven by Bulk Trade, Containerization & E-commerce Demand - Mordor Intelligence

Mordor Intelligence has published a new report on cargo shipping market offering a comprehensive analysis of trends, growth drivers, and future projections.
Introduction

The Cargo Shipping Market [https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/cargo-shipping-market?utm_source=abnewswire] size is estimated at USD 14.73 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 18.47 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 4.63% during the forecast period (2025-2030). The demand for maritime freight continues to surge, supported by rising global trade flows, increasing demand for containerized cargo, and evolving trade patterns across regions. As supply chains become more complex and global manufacturing spreads across geographies, the cargo shipping market is responding with capacity expansion, diversified vessel types, and enhanced service offerings. This expansion reflects not only growing trade volumes, but also shifts in cargo type, vessel utilization, and end-use industry demand all contributing to the overall cargo shipping market growth.

Key Market Trends

E-commerce-driven container demand and smaller, frequent shipments: One of the strongest drivers of growth in the cargo shipping market is rising e-commerce activity. As global retail and manufacturing sectors push for faster deliveries and smaller-lot shipments, containerized cargo demand is on the rise. Containerized cargo is expected to grow at a higher growth rate compared with some traditional cargo types. This shift is prompting shipping companies to adapt by deploying vessels optimized for frequent, smaller-lot loads rather than only large-scale bulk shipments.

Diversification of vessel types: growth in specialized and reefer traffic: While bulk carriers continue to dominate traditional trade flows, there is a noticeable shift toward specialized vessels such as reefer vessels that carry perishable goods or temperature-sensitive cargo. Demand for pharmaceuticals, fresh produce, and other cold-chain goods is contributing to this trend. The forecast suggests that reefer and specialized vessels will grow at a significant rate through 2030. This diversification aligns with changes in global consumption patterns and supply-chain sophistication.

Demand shift toward mid-size and neo-Panamax vessels for flexibility: Historically, large vessels dominated shipping volume for economies of scale. However, as demand becomes more varied and route flexibility becomes more important, mid-size vessels such as neo-Panamax or post-Panamax ships are gaining traction. These vessels offer greater access to a broader range of ports and flexible scheduling, supporting diversified trade flows beyond traditional major corridors.

Regional growth and rising significance of Asia-Pacific export flows: The Asia Pacific region remains the powerhouse for cargo shipping demand, driven by strong manufacturing exports, diversified sourcing from emerging economies, and rising intra-regional trade flows. In 2024, the region accounted for nearly half of global revenue in the cargo shipping market, and it is expected to continue growing at a steady rate over the forecast period.

Market Segmentation

By Ship Type

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Bulk Carriers

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Container Ships

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Tankers

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General Cargo Ships

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Reefer & Specialized Vessels

By Vessel Size Class

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Handy / Handymax

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Panamax

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Post-Panamax & Neo-Panamax

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Ultra-Large Container Vessels (ULCVs)

By Cargo Type

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Dry Bulk

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Liquid Bulk (Crude, LNG/LPG, Chemicals)

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Containerised (General & Reefer)

By Service Type

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Liner (Scheduled)

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Tramp (Voyage/Spot)

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Project / Heavy-lift / Parcel

By End-use Industry

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Manufacturing

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Food & Beverages

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Oil, Gas & Energy

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Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare

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Electrical & Electronics

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Others

By Geography

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North America

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South America

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Middle east&Africa

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Europe

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Asia pacific

Key Players

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A. P. Moller-Maersk AS

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MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company SA

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CMA CGM

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China COSCO Holdings Company Limited

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Hapag-Lloyd

Conclusion

The cargo shipping market is positioned for steady and healthy growth between 2025 and 2030, reaching a projected USD 18.47 billion. This growth is underpinned by a strong global trade environment, expanding e-commerce, increasing containerized cargo flows, and rising demand for specialized shipping services such as reefer and temperature-controlled transport. The robust role of dry bulk trade remains, but containerization and diversification of cargo types are reshaping the market.

Regional growth led by Asia-Pacific along with evolving supply-chain strategies and consumer demand, will continue to drive cargo shipping market size. Meanwhile, market players that can combine fleet efficiency, flexible services, and global network reach whether large carriers or specialized operators are likely to benefit most.

Get More insights: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/cargo-shipping-market?utm_source=abnewswire

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