PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1931933
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1931933
Cargo handling equipment encompasses machinery and tools utilized in the loading, unloading, and transportation of goods within logistics and industrial settings. This equipment plays a crucial role in optimizing supply chain operations, boosting productivity, and ensuring the safe and efficient movement of goods throughout various stages of transportation and storage. Its integration is vital for streamlining logistics processes, cutting turnaround times, and minimizing the risk of damage during handling and transit.
Key types of machinery include aviation dollies, stackers, pallet jacks, loaders, conveyor systems, automated guided vehicles, forklift trucks, cranes, rubber-tired gantry cranes, and others. Aviation dollies, for instance, are specialized for ground handling at airports, facilitating the transport of baggage, cargo containers, and other materials between aircraft and terminal buildings or cargo areas. These equipment types employ diverse technologies ranging from manual to semi-automated and fully automated systems, utilizing various propulsion methods such as diesel, electric, and others. They cater to a wide array of applications across air, marine, and land cargo handling, serving industries such as automotive, consumer goods, energy resources, manufacturing, transportation, and more.
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.
Tariffs are impacting the cargo handling equipment market by increasing costs of imported steel structures, electric drivetrains, hydraulic systems, control units, and automation components used across forklifts, cranes, conveyors, and AGVs. Port operators, logistics hubs, and manufacturing facilities in North America and Europe are most affected due to dependence on imported heavy equipment, while Asia-Pacific faces cost pressure on export-oriented manufacturing. These tariffs are raising capital expenditure and slowing fleet expansion plans. However, they are also encouraging domestic manufacturing, regional supplier development, and increased investment in locally assembled cargo handling equipment.
The cargo handling equipment market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides cargo handling equipment market statistics, including cargo handling equipment industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a cargo handling equipment market share, detailed cargo handling equipment market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the cargo handling equipment industry. This cargo handling equipment 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.
The cargo handling equipment market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $28.68 billion in 2025 to $30.37 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of global trade volumes, growth of port and airport infrastructure, increasing warehouse automation adoption, rising demand for faster cargo turnaround, availability of heavy-duty material handling equipment.
The cargo handling equipment market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $37.47 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing investments in smart logistics infrastructure, rising demand for autonomous cargo handling solutions, expansion of e-commerce driven warehousing, growing focus on low-emission material handling equipment, increasing integration of digital fleet management systems. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of automated material handling systems, rising demand for electric and hybrid cargo equipment, growing deployment of agvs in warehouses and ports, expansion of high-capacity container handling solutions, enhanced focus on operational safety and load stability.
The increasing volume of import and export activities is expected to drive the growth of the cargo handling equipment market. Import and export involve the cross-border movement of goods, supporting global trade and supply chain operations. Rising globalization, expanding supply chains, and growing demand for international trade are contributing to higher import and export volumes. Cargo handling equipment facilitates these operations by enabling efficient loading, unloading, storage, and transport of goods at ports, freight terminals, airports, and logistics hubs. For example, in October 2024, the UN Trade and Development, a Switzerland-based intergovernmental organization, reported that global maritime trade grew by 2.4% in 2023, recovering from the decline experienced in 2022. Consequently, rising import and export activities are boosting demand for cargo handling equipment.
Leading companies in the cargo handling equipment market are introducing advanced forklift models to improve operational efficiency, incorporate automation features, and address sustainability through electric and hybrid technologies. Forklifts are small industrial vehicles with powered pronged platforms that can be raised and lowered to lift or move loads. For instance, in May 2023, Toyota Material Handling, a U.S.-based machinery manufacturer, launched three new electric forklift models: the Side-Entry End Rider for efficient cross-warehouse operations, the versatile Center Rider Stacker combining three functions in one, and the Industrial Tow Tractor for towing heavy loads efficiently. All models feature AC drive motors for smooth, quiet operation, adjustable controls for operator comfort, and optional features such as cold storage conditioning and PIN code access for enhanced security and customization.
In February 2024, Taylor Group, a US-based industrial equipment manufacturer, acquired Italy-based CVS Ferrari for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition aims to bolster Taylor Group's global market presence, leveraging the strengths of both companies to enhance product innovation, service capabilities, and market access. CVS Ferrari specializes in manufacturing high-quality mobile container handling and heavy cargo equipment, including reach stackers and high-capacity forklifts.
Major companies operating in the cargo handling equipment market are Siemens AG, ABB Ltd., Komatsu Ltd., Toyota Industries Corporation, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries Co. Ltd., Liebherr-International Deutschland GmbH, KION Group AG, Sany Heavy Industry Co. Ltd., Doosan Industrial Vehicle BG, Jungheinrich AG, Mitsubishi Logisnext Co. Ltd., Shanghai Zhenhua Heavy Industries Company Limited, Terex Corporation, Crown Equipment Corporation, Cargotec Oyj, Hyster-Yale Materials Handling Inc., Konecranes Oyj, Anhui Heli Co. Ltd., Hangcha Group Co, Manitowoc Company Inc., John Bean Technologies Corporation, Kalmar Corporation, The Taylor Group Inc, CVS ferrari S.P.A.
Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the cargo handling equipment market in 2025. The regions covered in the cargo handling equipment market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa
The countries covered in the cargo handling equipment market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The cargo handling equipment market consists of revenues earned by entities by providing services such as loading and unloading goods from ships, handling and moving cargo within ports and terminals, and managing logistics operations efficiently. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. The cargo handling equipment market also includes sales of palletizers, terminal tractors, lift trucks, container, and bulk 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.
Cargo Handling Equipment Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses cargo handling equipment market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for cargo handling equipment ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The cargo handling equipment market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
Added Benefits available all on all list-price licence purchases, to be claimed at time of purchase. Customisations within report scope and limited to 20% of content and consultant support time limited to 8 hours.