U.S. Shipping Cargo Market Size & Share Analysis - Trends, Drivers, Competitive Landscape, and Forecasts (2025

Description

The U.S. shipping cargo market was valued at USD 57.1 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.1%, reaching USD 77.8 billion by 2032. This growth is fueled by the increasing demand for goods driven by global trade, a rising population, urbanization, and higher disposable incomes. The boom in e-commerce has accelerated the need for fast and reliable deliveries, further boosting the demand for shipping services. Additionally, the market is benefiting from advancements in technology, such as digital tracking, automated systems, and smart devices, which enhance the efficiency and speed of the shipping process.

Environmental concerns are also driving the industry's growth, with companies adopting cleaner fuels and energy-efficient ships to meet stringent pollution regulations. These efforts not only reduce the environmental impact of shipping but also help companies remain competitive in a rapidly evolving market. International trade, reliant on commercial shipping, continues to be the most efficient way to move large quantities of goods across the globe, further supporting the shipping cargo market's expansion.

Key Insights

The U.S. shipping cargo market is expected to grow from USD 57.1 billion in 2024 to USD 77.8 billion by 2032, advancing at a CAGR of 4.1%.

Containerized cargo dominates the market, holding a 65% share in 2024, due to the flexibility and cost-effectiveness of standardized containers, which can carry a wide range of goods and are easily transferred between ships, trucks, and trains.

The perishable and refrigerated cargo category is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period, driven by increased demand for fresh food and the rise of online grocery shopping.

Container ships hold the largest share of the vessel category at 60%, as they are the most commonly used vessel type for transporting a variety of goods across oceans, offering economies of scale and cost-effectiveness.

The offshore support vessels category is the fastest-growing vessel type, due to increased investments in offshore energy production, including wind and oil exploration.

The shipping and freight services category accounts for 70% of the market share, as it encompasses a wide range of goods transport via truck, rail, air, and sea, catering to industries across the board.

The logistics and warehousing category is expected to grow at the highest CAGR, driven by the booming e-commerce sector and the increasing need for efficient inventory management and last-mile delivery services.

The industrial and manufacturing sector holds the largest market share at 75%, as it generates significant volumes of goods that need to be shipped both domestically and internationally.

The Southern region leads the market, holding 40% of the market share in 2024, thanks to major ports like the Port of Houston, Port of Savannah, and Port of Miami, which are central hubs for cargo shipping from Latin America, Asia, and Europe.

The Western region is the fastest-growing, driven by investments in technology and infrastructure to meet the demands of e-commerce giants like Amazon and rapidly growing consumer goods demand.

Major players in the market include United Parcel Service (UPS), FedEx, Amazon Logistics, XPO Logistics, and J.B. Hunt, which are investing heavily in automation and technology to enhance operational efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Product Code: 13527

Chapter 1. Research Scope

1.1. Research Objectives
1.2. Market Definition
1.3. Analysis Period
1.4. Market Size Breakdown by Segments
- 1.4.1. Market Size Breakdown, by Cargo
- 1.4.2. Market Size Breakdown, by Vessel
- 1.4.3. Market Size Breakdown, by Service Type
- 1.4.4. Market Size Breakdown, by End User
1.5. Market Data Reporting Unit
- 1.5.1. Revenue
1.6. Key Stakeholders

Chapter 2. Research Methodology

2.1. Secondary Research
- 2.1.1. Paid
- 2.1.2. Unpaid
- 2.1.3. P&S Intelligence Database
2.2. Primary Research
2.3. Market Size Estimation
2.4. Data Triangulation
2.5. Currency Conversion Rates
2.6. Assumptions for the Study
2.7. Notes and Caveats

Chapter 3. Executive Summary

Chapter 4. Market Indicators

Chapter 5. Industry Outlook

5.1. Industry Background
5.2. Market Dynamics
- 5.2.1. Trends
- 5.2.2. Drivers
- 5.2.3. Restraints/Challenges
- 5.2.4. Emerging Economies and Key Opportunities
- 5.2.5. Impact Analysis of Drivers/Restraints
5.3. Impact of COVID-19
5.4. Sociopolitical Impact
5.5. Porter's Five Forces Analysis
- 5.5.1. Bargaining Power of Buyers
- 5.5.2. Bargaining Power of Suppliers
- 5.5.3. Threat of New Entrants
- 5.5.4. Intensity of Rivalry
- 5.5.5. Threat of Substitutes
5.6. Innovation and Technology Trends
5.7. Economic and Regulatory Impact
5.8. Market Entry Strategies

Chapter 6. Competitive Landscape

6.1. List of Market Players and their Offerings
6.2. Market Share of Key Players (2024)
6.3. Competitive Benchmarking of Key Players
6.4. Product Benchmarking of Key Players
6.5. Recent Strategic Developments by Key Players
6.6. Company Leadership Matrix

Chapter 7. U.S. Market

7.1. Overview
7.2. Market Revenue, by Cargo (2019-2032)
7.3. Market Revenue, by Vessel (2019-2032)
7.4. Market Revenue, by Service Type (2019-2032)
7.5. Market Revenue, by End User (2019-2032)
7.6. Market Revenue, by Country (2019-2032)

Chapter 8. Northeast Market

8.1. Overview
8.2. Economic Indicators
8.3. Demographics and Population Insights
8.4. Regional Hotspots
8.5. Growth Drivers
8.6. Challenges and Barriers
8.7. Competitive Strategies
8.8. Emerging Players
8.9. Import/Export Policies
8.10. Compliance Requirements
8.11. Emerging Investment Areas
8.12. Major Ongoing Projects
8.13. Market Size and Forecast
- 8.13.1. Market Revenue, by Cargo (2019-2032)
- 8.13.2. Market Revenue, by Vessel (2019-2032)
- 8.13.3. Market Revenue, by Service Type (2019-2032)
- 8.13.4. Market Revenue, by End User (2019-2032)

Chapter 9. Midwest Market

9.1. Overview
9.2. Economic Indicators
9.3. Demographics and Population Insights
9.4. Regional Hotspots
9.5. Growth Drivers
9.6. Challenges and Barriers
9.7. Competitive Strategies
9.8. Emerging Players
9.9. Import/Export Policies
9.10. Compliance Requirements
9.11. Emerging Investment Areas
9.12. Major Ongoing Projects
9.13. Market Size and Forecast
- 9.13.1. Market Revenue, by Cargo (2019-2032)
- 9.13.2. Market Revenue, by Vessel (2019-2032)
- 9.13.3. Market Revenue, by Service Type (2019-2032)
- 9.13.4. Market Revenue, by End User (2019-2032)

Chapter 10. West Market

10.1. Overview
10.2. Economic Indicators
10.3. Demographics and Population Insights
10.4. Regional Hotspots
10.5. Growth Drivers
10.6. Challenges and Barriers
10.7. Competitive Strategies
10.8. Emerging Players
10.9. Import/Export Policies
10.10. Compliance Requirements
10.11. Emerging Investment Areas
10.12. Major Ongoing Projects
10.13. Market Size and Forecast
- 10.13.1. Market Revenue, by Cargo (2019-2032)
- 10.13.2. Market Revenue, by Vessel (2019-2032)
- 10.13.3. Market Revenue, by Service Type (2019-2032)
- 10.13.4. Market Revenue, by End User (2019-2032)

Chapter 11. South Market

11.1. Overview
11.2. Economic Indicators
11.3. Demographics and Population Insights
11.4. Regional Hotspots
11.5. Growth Drivers
11.6. Challenges and Barriers
11.7. Competitive Strategies
11.8. Emerging Players
11.9. Import/Export Policies
11.10. Compliance Requirements
11.11. Emerging Investment Areas
11.12. Major Ongoing Projects
11.13. Market Size and Forecast
- 11.13.1. Market Revenue, by Cargo (2019-2032)
- 11.13.2. Market Revenue, by Vessel (2019-2032)
- 11.13.3. Market Revenue, by Service Type (2019-2032)
- 11.13.4. Market Revenue, by End User (2019-2032)

Chapter 12. Company Profiles

Chapter 13. Appendix

13.1. Sources and References
13.2. Related Reports

U.S. Shipping Cargo Market Size & Share Analysis - Trends, Drivers, Competitive Landscape, and Forecasts (2025 - 2032)