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

U.S. Shipping Cargo Market Trends & Drivers

Adoption of Automation and Digital Technologies Is a Trend

• The trend of using automation is growing because it makes shipping faster and more reliable.
• More people are shopping online, and they want their packages the next or even the same day.
• Automated tools, such as warehousing robots and self-piloted ships, help in speeding up the process of loading and unloading goods, making shipping faster and more efficient.
• Tracking systems also let people see exactly where their packages are, which is helping businesses keep customers happy and satisfied by ensuring their deliveries are on time.
• Moreover, automation helps reduce mistakes as robots and machines can do things more accurately than human.
• The Port of Los Angeles has boosted cargo handling by 10% and improved ground transportation productivity by 8– 12% using digital tracking tools.
• Smart containers, which are integrated with an array of sensors, keep shippers aware of the condition of perishable cargo, such as food and pharmaceutical products, in real time.

Expansion of E-Commerce Is a Growth Driver

• E-commerce companies, such as Amazon and Walmart, ship millions of packages from warehouses to customers every day.
• As e-commerce grows, the volume of goods transported nationally and internationally also increases.
• According to the Census Bureau, e-commerce sales accounted for 16.1% of the total retail sales in 2024, up from 15.3% in 2023 showcasing the boost in commercial activities.
• This has expanded the need for international shipping and logistics services.
• It has further led to investments in better shipping technologies, such as automation and real-time tracking.

U.S. Shipping Cargo Market Segmentation Analysis

Cargo Analysis

The containerized cargo category held the largest market share, of 65%, in 2024. Standard-sized containers can carry a wide variety of goods, be it electronics, clothing, or food. These containers can be loaded and unloaded quickly and moved easily between ships, trucks, and trains, making the shipping process cheaper. Anything can be shipped easily, which makes them a flexible part of international trade.

The perishable & refrigerated cargo category will grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This is because of the rising need for refrigerated shipping and fresh food. With more people buying food online, there is a growing need for refrigerated cargo to keep the products fresh during transportation. This is also one of the earliest forms of cargo shipping, which facilitated globalization in the late 19^th and early 20^th centuries.

The cargoes analyzed here are:

• Containerized Cargo (Largest Category)
• Dry Bulk Cargo
• Liquid Bulk Cargo
• General & Breakbulk Cargo
• Perishable & Refrigerated Cargo (Fastest-Growing Category)

Vessel Analysis

The container ships category held the largest market share, of 60%, in 2024. This is because they carry a wide variety of goods in large containers, making them the most-commonly used vessel type for moving goods across oceans. The largest ships can carry over 18,000 TEUs across long distances, offering cost-effectiveness in international trade.

The offshore support vessels category will grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This is because they help build and maintain the wind turbines in the sea. New technology makes these vessels more efficient and able to do more jobs, which increases their popularity. They help produce more oil and gas by bringing supplies and equipment to drilling rigs in deep-water and ultra-deep-water regions.

The vessels analyzed here are:

• Container Ships (Largest Category)
• Bulk Carriers
• Tanker Ships
• Roll-on/Roll-off Ships
• General Cargo Ships
• Passenger Ships
• Naval & Defense Vessels
• Fishing Vessels
• Offshore Support Vessels (Fastest-Growing Category)

Service Type Analysis

The shipping & freight services category held the largest market share, of 70%. This is because it handles the movement of goods from one place to another by truck, rail, air, and sea. It can carry a large volume of goods, and every industry relies on it to move millions of tonnes of cargo domestically and internationally. Moreover, it covers a broad range of needs from heavy shipping to specialized transport.

The logistics & warehousing category will grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This is because e-commerce is booming with lots of people shopping online, which has resulted in a high demand for in logistics. Advances in technology, such as automated warehouses and tracking systems, have made it easier to manage and move goods. Warehousing services are becoming more important with the need of people for faster deliveries.

The service types analyzed here are:

• Shipping & Freight Services (Largest Category)
• Port Operations & Management
• Maritime Safety & Security
• Shipbuilding & Maintenance
• Dredging & Port Development
• Logistics & Warehousing (Fastest-Growing Category)

End User Analysis

The industrial & manufacturing category held the largest market share, of 75%, in 2024. This is because they produce massive goods, such as machinery, equipment, raw materials, and finished products, which need to be shipped both domestically and internationally. Moreover, it involves multiple suppliers and parts that need to be moved to factories, assembly plants, and distribution centers.

The energy & oil & gas category will grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This is due to the rise of renewable energy, especially wind and solar power. The rising investment in oil & gas exploration raises the requirement for tankers and pressurized bulk carriers. The shift to renewable energy creates the requirement for specialized ships to carry turbines and other parts. As the world uses more energy, companies are drilling for oil and gas in deeper waters, which drives the need for specialized offshore support vessels.

The end users analyzed here are:

• Retail & Consumer Goods
• Industrial & Manufacturing (Largest Category)
• Energy & Oil & Gas (Fastest-Growing Category)
• Government & Defense
• Others

U.S. Shipping Cargo Market Regional Outlook

The Southern region held the largest market share, of 40%, in 2024. This is because it is home to major ports, such as the Port of Houston, the Port of Savannah, and the Port of Miami, which are some of the busiest in the country. These ports handle large volumes of international trade from Latin America, Asia, and Europe, making the South a central hub for cargo shipping. Moreover, it has well-connected transportation networks, including highways, railroads, and airports. Moreover, the cost of doing business in the South is lower, making it an attractive location for the market players.

The market in the Western region will grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This is because it is a hub for technology companies and e-commerce companies, such as Amazon, eBay, and start-ups, which drives the demand for quick delivery services. There have been heavy investments in the region to handle domestic and international trade. The population increase has also led to the demand for more consumer goods.

The regions analyzed in this report are:

• Northeast
• Midwest
• West (Fastest-Growing Category)
• South (Largest Region)

U.S. Shipping Cargo Market Competitive Landscape

The market is fragmented as there are many types of companies, including large international companies and small regional ones. Each company focuses on different services, such as small shipments or full truckloads. As shipping takes place by truck, rail, air, or ship the market is divided into different parts. It is easy for small companies to start with new technologies, such as online tracking and automated systems. Moreover, small businesses and big companies have different shipping needs, such as fast delivery and special handling, which encourages more companies to enter the market.

U.S. Shipping Cargo Market News

• In December 2024, FedEx Corporation announced plans to divest its freight business into a separate company, to focus better on its operations and create value for shareholders.
• In July 2024, Knight-Swift Transportation acquired Dependable Highway Express, expanding its network to cover approximately 70% of the U.S. population and to grow its shipping network.