If one is into international trade, then the selection of an appropriate freight forwarder becomes the key to effective shipping.
With so many in the market, finding the right fit for your business is truly a task.
We’ve made the search a little easier by providing you with a list of the world’s largest freight forwarders.
This guide helps you decipher what makes these companies unique and sheds light on how to review each based on your personal needs.
We’ll also take a closer look at the major differences between large and small freight forwarders, and help you work out which might be better for your business.
If you’d like a recap on just what freight forwarders are, and how they can help you with your shipping globally, take a look at our in-depth guide on
List of top 10 freight forwarders
Here’s a list of the top 10 global ocean forwarders:
Number | Provider | Gross Logistics Revenue ($ Millions) | Ocean(TEUs) | Air(Metric Tons) |
1 | Kuehne + Nagel | 20-50K | 4-5 million | 2-3 million |
2 | DHL | 20-50K | 2-4 million | 2-3 million |
3 | Expeditors International | 10-20K | 1-2 million | 1-2 million |
4 | CEVA Logistics | 10-20K | 1-2 million | 300K-500K |
5 | GEODIS | 10-20K | 0.5 -1 million | 300K-500K |
6 | Bollore Logistics | 5-10K | 0.5 -1 million | 0.5 -1 million |
7 | Hellmann Worldwide Logistics | 3-5K | 0.5 -1 million | 0.5 -1 million |
8 | Nippon Express | 10-20K | 0.5 -1 million | 0.5 -1 million |
9 | C.H. Robinson | 20-50K | 1-2 million | 300K-500K |
10 | DB Schenker | 20-50K | 2-4 million | 1-2 million |
1. Kuene+Nagel
Kuehne+Nagel is one of the largest and most valued freight forwarders on the globe due to its great passion in logistics and supply chain management. It was founded in 1890 and has since been based in Switzerland. The end-to-end range of services covers sea freight, air freight, overland transportation, and contract logistics.
Key Strengths:
- Global Reach: With a presence in over 100 countries, Kuehne+Nagel provides extensive network coverage with local expertise across various markets.
- Technology Integration: The company invests in state-of-the-art technologies and digital tools, which enhance visibility, efficiency, and customer service. Self-developed platforms, such as KN Login, provide real-time insights into shipments.
- Custom Solutions: They have customized logistics solutions for the pharmaceutical, automotive, retail, and other sectors.
- Sustainability Focus: Kuehne+Nagel attempts to reduce its carbon footprint through various sustainability-related campaigns. It offers carbon-neutral shipping among other options.
Considerations:
- Scale: Being the large, global player that Kuehne + Nagel is, they may be a better fit for companies that have particularly complex, high-volume shipping or those businesses with greater international coverage needs.
- Cost: The scale of services provided and the infrastructure offered worldwide probably places them as not being the cheapest option against smaller forwarders, but sometimes it is well worth the money to invest in greater reliability and skill.
With the wealth of experience and strong global network, Kuehne+Nagel can easily be considered the perfect match for any business in their search for a capable and sophisticated freight forwarder.
2. DHL freight forwarders in us
3.Expeditors International
Expeditors International of Washington, Inc. is a global logistics and freight forwarding company. Since its inception in 1979, the company has grown into one of the largest players in the field of logistics, offering a comprehensive services portfolio by air, ocean, and ground, with supply chain management solutions.
Key Strengths:
- Global Network: Expeditors operates in over 100 countries with more than 300 locations. This gives them great reach and local expertise for international shipments.
Service Offerings: Integrated services include air and ocean freight forwarding, customs brokerage, and supply chain solutions that make even the most complex logistics easy to handle and manage. - Technology and Innovation: Using sophisticated technology for shipment tracking, inventory management, and data analytics, customers can enjoy real-time visibility and control over their supply chains at Expeditors.
- Customer Centricity: Expeditors is known for trademarked high levels of customized customer support, wherein it flexibly responds to cater to a very particular need of a client.
Financial Stability: Being a public-listed company, Expeditors has good financials. Strong finances add more reliability and long-term stability as a logistics partner.
Considerations:
- Service Flexibility: Expeditors offers a wide variety of services, and its reach is very broad. For some companies, this may mean their solutions would be more appropriate for a certain industry or for specific needs. It’s best to speak extensively to make sure it’s a good fit.
- Cost Structure: The cost within Expeditors depends on the extent of the services required and upon project complexity. Generally speaking, with a company focused on high quality and custom-fit solutions, this comes at a higher cost.
Matching with the right Expeditors International, which boasts a massive global network together with integrated services and a customer service-oriented approach, therefore creates an avenue through which any business can find a stable freight forwarding company that is equally flexible. Their focus on technology and personalized service ensures that the customer will get logistics solutions fitted to the particular needs of their business.
4. CEVA Logistics
CEVA Logistics is a French, internationally operating supply chain management and logistics company with its head office in Marseille. The merger between TNT Logistics and EGL Eagle Global Logistics in 2006 created CEVA, making it one of the major players in the logistics business, providing a wide array of services in a number of industries.
Key Strengths:
- Full-service offering: CEVA offers a wide range of logistics services-air and ocean freight, road and rail, contract logistics, and supply chain management. This range of offerings allows for integrated solutions from end to end, tailored for a wide range of business requirements.
- Global Reach / Local Expertise: With operations in over 160 countries and an impressive network of facilities, CEVA possesses significant global reach with local expertise and is eminently capable of meeting any demand for international shipment and logistics.
- Industry Expertise: CEVA has gained experience in a variety of industries, such as automotive and healthcare, consumer goods, and technology. Their industry-specific solutions allow them to meet special requirements in all kinds of industries.
- Technology Integration: CEVA uses advanced technologies that enhance logistic operations-from its proprietary systems for tracking, warehousing management, and supply chain visibility to harnessing the power of emerging technologies, including IoT, artificial intelligence, and predictive analytics. The focus on innovation has allowed CEVA to streamline operations and increase efficiency.
- Sustainability Initiatives: CEVA is into ensuring that its environmental impact is as minimal as possible; examples include carbon footprint reduction and green sustainability logistics operations.
Considerations:
- Scalability: Because of the wide service portfolio that CEVA maintains, together with its wide global reach network, it would be scalable for large-scale businesses through to medium-scale businesses. The depth of their offerings might, however, be better positioned for companies with specialized or complex logistics needs.
- Cost Efficiency: The cost of CEVA can vary based on the extent of scope and scale that a logistics solution requires. Companies should weigh the cost in proportion to the value represented by comprehensive and integrated service provision.
CEVA distinguishes itself through the completeness of its services, the strength of its network, and its know-how in specific vertical markets. Given its approach toward technology and sustainability, and making sure it develops value-added logistics solutions for customers, it is among the most powerful platforms a company could get when it needs versatility and dependability from a logistics partner.
5. GEODIS freight forwarders in us
GEODIS is a Paris, France-based global supply chain and logistics company. As a subsidiary of the French multinational SNCF Group, GEODIS has been among the top players in logistics for decades. The services offered range from quarrying, through manufacturing and distribution, to quality control.
It boasts of a wide service portfolio-from end-to-end logistics services including freight forwarding-air, sea, and road-supply chain optimisation, contract logistics, and customs brokerage. A broad portfolio of services allows the implementation of integrated solutions in almost every industry.
Key Strengths:
- Global Network: With a direct presence in over 60 countries, an important network density of distribution centres and logistics poles, GEODIS offers its customers unrivalled geographic coverage combined with in-depth local expertise to orchestrate international and regional logics.
- Industry Specialization: From long experience, GEODIS develops an industry specialization in the automotive and aerospace, healthcare, consumer goods, and retail businesses. The Company offers industry-specific solutions that address the specific needs and requirements of each sector.
- Innovative Solution: The company arranges supply chain visibility, real-time tracking, and data-driven decision-making by using advanced technologies and digital tools. The digital platforms uplift the transparency and operating efficiency.
- Commitment to Sustainability: The company ensures that it is sincerely committed to achieving sustainability and minimizing its ecological footprint. This involves the development of green logistics, including route optimization to decrease carbon emission and the promotion of eco-friendly supply chain solutions.
Considerations:
- Service Flexibility: With a broad range of services, businesses should consider how their solutions fit the particular needs in logistics. Indeed, the integrated approach helps a lot when one needs to operate a more complex supply chain.
- Pricing Structure: With varied types and scales of logistics needs, so too can be the costing from GEODIS. Their pricing in relation to comprehensive solutions and value provided will be important to analyze.
In this case, GEODIS would be suitable for an enterprise in need of a logistics partner that is complicated yet well-connected globally. Service matters: A wide range of industry experiences and a commitment to innovation and sustainability make GEODIS the perfect partner for any enterprise interested in optimizing its supply chain operation for high efficiency.
6. Bollore Logistics
Bolloré Logistics is a global logistics provider headquartered in Puteaux, France. Part of the large Bolloré Group-a major player in several growth sectors, including transport and logistics-Bolloré Logistics offers overall supply chain solutions and a strong presence in Africa, among other regions.
Key Strengths:
- Full-Service Offering: The service portfolio of Bolloré Logistics includes, among others, air-, sea-, and rail-freight forwarding, contract logistics, customs brokerage, and project cargo management services. The wide portfolio supports the execution of end-to-end logistics solutions.
- Strong African Presence: With an extensive network of Bolloré Logistics across the African continent, this is their strong suit, with deep local knowledge and infrastructure. This will make them an extremely valued partner in whatever business enterprise that hopes to operate or expand into the African continent.
- Integrated Logistics Solutions: It is involved in providing integrated logistics solutions from transportation to warehousing and distribution in supply chain activities. An integrated approach within logistics helps to simplify operations and improves efficiency.
- Innovative Technology: Bolloré Logistics develops the use of technology with a focus on high visibility of supply chains and operational performance. Digital tools and platforms are created within the organization that enable real-time shipment tracking, thereby allowing data analytics for better customer service.
- Sustainability: Bollore Logistics has committed itself to constructing sustainable performance while attempting to reduce the impact of its activities on the environment through optimizing routes taken for transportation and investing in green technologies.
Considerations:
- Regional Strength: While Bollore Logistics performs exemplary in some regions, Africa being a key one, businesses need to account for how this firm stacks up globally based on their service offerings outside those developed regions to ensure delivery against international logistics needs.
- Service Flexibility: Although this is beneficial in handling complex supply chains, it may also become too cumbersome since clients need to engage in detailed discussions in order to have solutions matched with their business needs.
Bolloré Logistics would be an excellent choice for any company seeking a partner able not only to offer an integrated logistics service but, above all, expertise in regional coverage-a key factor in current and future market development, especially toward Africa. Such a service portfolio, which covers most areas, combined with regional expertise and a commitment to innovation and sustainability, positions Bolloré Logistics as the ideal partner in optimizing supply chain operations toward efficient global logistics.
7. Hellmann Worldwide Logistics
Hellmann Worldwide Logistics is a traditional global logistics service provider, headquartered in Osnabrück, Germany. Since its foundation in 1871, Hellmann has established a position as a leading logistics services provider, offering a broad range of services, customized solutions, and extensive geographic coverage.
Key Strengths:
- Multifunctional Services: The services offered by Hellmann range from air and sea freight to road and rail transportation, including contract logistics, customs brokerage, and other related services. Such a broad portfolio allows them to offer integrated, end-to-end supply chain solutions.
- Global Network: Hellmann is represented in more than 170 countries, with a considerable global presence and good local coverage. Such an extensive network allows the effective management of shipments both originating from and destined for almost any country worldwide and provides access to substantial local expertise across the globe.
- Customer-Oriented Approach: While customer-oriented services are concerned, Hellmann pays great attention to finding individual solutions, catering to the unique needs of each and every business. It is all about closely cooperating with customers to elaborate on a logistics strategy that will perfectly fit the needs.
- Technology Integration: Hellmann invests in advanced technologies to improve the logistics at every step, from real-time tracking systems to digital platforms for visibility and analytics. The technology solutions offered by Hellmann guarantee efficiency and more transparency in the supply chain.
- Sustainability Initiatives: Hellmann is committed to the principle of sustainability and has brought in various initiatives aimed at reducing environmental impact. These range from route optimization in transport to investing in green technologies and other eco-friendly operations practices .
Considerations:
- Service Flexibility: Its global presence with a wide array of service offerings makes Hellmann a very strong choice to go to in businesses with complex logistics needs. Businesses can be assured that the solutions offered at Hellmann mirror their specific needs and operational goals.
- Pricing Structure: Price ranges according to scale and complexity that one requires from the logistics solution. It is also an added assessment to be truly aware of if their pricing reflects the value and quality given with regard to service.
Impressive is Hellmann Worldwide Logistics with its full range of services, global presence, and customer service, besides the care for sustainability. It’s truly a welcome partner in business that can offer bespoke solutions and deploy advanced technology in solving logistical problems efficiently.
8. Nippon Express freight forwarders in us
Nippon Express is one of the largest global logistics and transport players. The company is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. From its humble beginning in the year 1937, Nippon Express has grown steadily to become one of the largest logistic companies in the world, offering a range of services across diversified sectors.
Key Strengths:
- Global Network: Nippon Express operates in over 50 countries with over 600 locations worldwide; this far-reaching scope enables them to handle international shipments and local expertise in various markets.
- Full-service provider: It offers a broad range of logistics services-air freight, ocean freight, road transport, rail transport, warehousing, and supply chain management. In doing so, they are also able to offer integrated logistics solutions across a wide range of industries.
- Technology and Innovation: Nippon Express invests in advanced technology that improves operational efficiency and gives full visibility. Its digital platforms provide for real-time tracking, analytics data, and hence optimized logistics management, better transparency in the supply chain, and more effective decision-making.
- Customer-Centric Solutions: Essentially customer-oriented, Nippon Express focuses on delivering tailored logistics solutions to its customers. Nippon Express believes in understanding each business and building a strategy together for maximum output.
- Sustainability: Nippon Express engages in several activities aimed at achieving environmental sustainability regarding carbon emissions’ reduction, including green operation methods, route optimization, and investment in green technology.
Considerations:
- Regional knowledge: Nippon Express is well known internationally. Still, it has comprehensive knowledge and an excellent network across the continent of Asia, with greater exposure to Japan. Companies dealing in Asian nations or those that have set their base in Asia will indeed receive relative assistance.
- Logistic Service Adaptability: Nippon Express is ideal for those companies that have complicated logistic requirements since it offers a wide range of services. It is important to make sure their solutions align with your particular needs and operational aims.
Nippon Express is strong in the technology and customer service fields and in sustainable areas, too, thus being able to guarantee reliability and assortment globally. It is a good choice for a business looking for a strong logistics partner and will serve well in the upgrade of the supply chain for companies seeking higher efficiency in international logistics.
9. C.H. Robinson
C.H. Robinson is a Fortune 200 global leader in third-party logistics, headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, USA. Since its founding in 1905, the company has grown and established itself as one of the biggest names in the field of logistics and supply chain management while offering a wide range of services to nearly all industries.
Key Strengths:
- Full-service portfolio: The company offers a whole suite of logistics services, ranging from freight brokerage, transportation management, and supply chain consulting to warehousing. Its broad service offering makes it capable to manage complex logistics and supply chain needs with élan.
- Global Reach: With over 100 countries, C.H. Robinson has a wide international presence with great network capabilities. This gives them the global reach to deal with international shipments and provide localized support to the different regions.
- Technology Integration: Advanced technology leveraged in logistics operations and supply chain management with extended capabilities from the company. It provides real-time visibility into data analytics and end-to-end management of transportation and logistics processes on its proprietary platform called Navisphere.
- Customer Focus: C.H. Robinson remains concerned with personalized service and customized solutions. They develop close cooperation with customers in the creation of personalized logistics strategies to meet particular needs and challenges of each, thus guaranteeing customer satisfaction.
- Expertise in Industries: Similarly, C.H. Robinson has gained experience working within such industries as automotive, consumer goods, healthcare, and manufacturing and provides specialized knowledge and solutions created to meet the peculiar demands of each of them.
Considerations:
- Service Complexity: The broad services that C.H. Robinson provides are both a blessing and a curse; fantastic when looking to manage complex services, like logistics and supply chain operations, but businesses should ensure their specific needs are truly captured and represented in the service offering.
- Cost Structure: The cost of C.H. Robinson’s services varies widely depending on the scope and scale of the logistics solutions needed. First and foremost, their pricing is buffered through the value and effectiveness of the delivered service.
With its huge service portfolio, global presence, and high level of technology, C.H. Robinson is accordingly positioned as a business partner for those in need of a reliable and multi-service logistics partner. Commitment to customer service backed by industry expertise enables it to offer effective and customized solutions across a broad spectrum of logistics and supply chain requirements.
10. DB Schenker freight forwarders in us
DB Schenker belongs to German railway company Deutsche Bahn AG and is one of the biggest and most renowned global logistics and supply chain management providers. This Essen, Germany-based global logistics company has grown to become one of the major logistics players in the world, offering a wide range of services across various industries, with its heritage tracing back to 1872.
Key Strengths:
- Comprehensive Service Offerings: DB Schenker provides a range of services including land transport, air freight, ocean freight, contract logistics, and supply chain management. Through their big portfolio, they have the capability of offering integrated solutions that respond to diverse business needs.
- Global Network: DB Schenker maintains its operations in more than 130 countries with a huge network of facilities and partners. This makes sure that there is strong global coverage with the best local expertise. A global logistics and transportation requirement will bring a broad range of benefits with this international reach.
- Technology and Innovation: DB Schenker invests in advanced technologies and digital tools to further improve logistics operations. The platforms they offer provide real-time tracking, data analytics, and supply chain visibility that enable the optimization of clients’ logistics processes and increase their overall efficiency.
- Sustainability Focus: At DB Schenker, much concern lies with sustainability and environmental care. It applies greening logistics by, among other ways, optimizing transport routes, reducing emissions, and investing in sustainable technologies.
- Industry Expertise: The firm has developed certain know-how regarding important markets like automotive, healthcare, consumer goods, and industrial products. The industry-specific solutions also concentrate on the specific needs of each segment.
Considerations
- Service flexibility: While DB Schenker provides several services, an organization must be conscious to see that their logistics need is suitably aligned with the company’s service portfolio. Its integrated model facilitates handling complicated supply chains.
- Cost Structure: The price of the services in each case is subject to how cumbersome and all-inclusive the logistics solution that may be required. It will be relevant to discuss their pricing in line with the added value and efficiency that may be provided.
A dense global network of DB Schenker, comprehensive service, and concern for technology and sustainability make this logistics company competent and reliable to serve all strategic and innovative demands of any business. Capable of providing integrated solutions and industry-specific solutions, they can serve a wide logistics and supply chain requirement.
