Bangladesh Freight Forwarding Market Size, Share and Trends Analysis Report – Industry Overview and Forecast to 2033

Bangladesh Freight Forwarding Market Size

• The Bangladesh Freight Forwarding market is expected to reach USD 34.65 billion by 2033 from USD 20.21 billion in 2025, growing with a substantial CAGR of 7.1% in the forecast period of 2026 to 2033
• The Bangladesh Freight Forwarding market is witnessing strong growth due to increasing global demand, particularly from emerging Asian markets, driven by cost competitiveness, skilled labor availability, and strong export infrastructure.
• Industry expansion is further fuelled by automation in manufacturing, adoption of digital textile solutions, and sustainability initiatives such as eco-friendly fabrics and energy-efficient production processes.
• Government incentives, favorable trade agreements, and foreign direct investments are accelerating factory modernization and compliance with international quality standards. This is positioning Bangladesh one of the significant shareholder for freight forwarding.
• Moreover, rising investments in R&D, diversification into technical and functional shipping, and development of high-value sea transportation are enhancing the country’s export competitiveness and long-term market potential.

Bangladesh Freight Forwarding Market Analysis

• The Bangladesh freight forwarding market is witnessing accelerated growth, driven by rising demand for reliable, energy-efficient, and high-performance temperature-controlled logistics solutions. Freight forwarding systems offer advantages such as reduced product wastage, improved temperature precision, and scalable storage and transport compared to conventional handling methods. Their adoption is increasing across food & beverage (meat, seafood, dairy, fruits & vegetables), pharmaceuticals (vaccines, insulin, biologics), healthcare supplies, and horticulture exports. However, the market still faces challenges related to energy costs, limited rural cold storage penetration, infrastructure gaps, and the need for improved temperature monitoring and operational reliability.
• In 2026, Services is expected to sustain a strong growth trajectory with a share of 91.60%, supported by rising global export orders, increasing demand for affordable fashion and fast-fashion products, and Bangladesh’s competitive production advantages—such as low labor costs, high workforce availability, and an established manufacturing ecosystem. Additionally, the adoption of automation, digital design tools, and sustainable textile practices is enabling higher productivity and compliance with international standards, further reinforcing the dominance of the apparel segment in 2025.

Report Scope and Bangladesh Freight Forwarding Market Segmentation         

Bangladesh Freight Forwarding Market Trends

“Digital Transformation and Integrated Logistics Solutions”

•  A prominent and accelerating trend in the Bangladesh freight forwarding market is the increasing adoption of digital platforms, automation, and data-driven logistics management to enhance shipment visibility, documentation accuracy, and operational efficiency. Freight forwarders are progressively shifting from manual, paper-based processes to integrated digital systems to manage growing trade volumes
•  For instance, leading freight forwarding companies in Bangladesh are implementing cloud-based freight management systems, e-documentation, and real-time cargo tracking solutions to streamline export-import operations, particularly for the ready-made garments (RMG) sector. These digital tools enable faster booking, customs coordination, and shipment monitoring across air, sea, and land routes
•  Digital integration allows freight forwarders to optimize route planning, reduce transit delays, and improve coordination with shipping lines, airlines, ports, and customs authorities. For example, automated data analytics platforms help forwarders forecast shipment volumes, manage container availability, and minimize demurrage and detention costs
•  The growing use of centralized logistics dashboards enables freight forwarders to manage multiple services—including warehousing, customs clearance, multimodal transport, and last-mile delivery—through a single interface. This creates a more transparent, efficient, and customer-centric logistics ecosystem
•  This trend toward technology-enabled, end-to-end logistics solutions is reshaping service expectations in the Bangladesh freight forwarding market. As a result, both local players and international logistics companies are investing in digital freight platforms and integrated supply chain capabilities to gain competitive advantage
•  The demand for digitally enabled freight forwarding services is rising rapidly across export-oriented industries, particularly textiles, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods, as shippers increasingly prioritize speed, cost efficiency, regulatory compliance, and real-time visibility

Bangladesh Freight Forwarding Market Dynamics

Driver

“Growth Driven by Expanding Export Trade and Infrastructure Development”

•  The rapid growth of Bangladesh’s export-oriented economy, led by the ready-made garments (RMG) industry, is a major driver fueling demand for freight forwarding services. Rising export volumes to North America, Europe, and Asia continue to increase the need for efficient international logistics and cargo handling solutions
•  For instance, ongoing investments in port modernization projects such as the expansion of Chittagong Port and the development of Payra and Matarbari deep-sea ports are expected to significantly enhance cargo handling capacity and reduce congestion. These infrastructure developments are anticipated to boost freight forwarding activities across maritime and multimodal transport
•  As international trade volumes increase, freight forwarders play a critical role in managing complex customs procedures, regulatory compliance, and cross-border documentation. Their expertise helps exporters minimize delays, reduce costs, and ensure timely delivery to global markets
•  Furthermore, government initiatives to improve road, rail, and inland waterway connectivity are strengthening domestic and cross-border logistics networks, creating new opportunities for freight forwarding companies to offer multimodal and integrated transport solutions
•  The growing participation of multinational brands and buyers sourcing from Bangladesh is increasing demand for reliable, scalable, and time-sensitive freight forwarding services. This is particularly important for fast fashion supply chains that require strict adherence to delivery timelines
•  The combined impact of export growth, infrastructure investment, and rising global trade integration is expected to remain a key driver supporting sustained expansion of the Bangladesh freight forwarding market during the forecast period

Restraint/Challenge

“Port congestion and operational delays”

• Port congestion and operational delays at major seaports represent a critical structural restraint for the freight forwarding market in Bangladesh. Congestion reduces port throughput, delays vessel berthing and container unloading/loading — all of which drive up transit times, demurrage and storage costs, and erode reliability.
• For forwarders, unpredictable delays and container pile-ups add complexity in scheduling inland transport, customs clearance and onward delivery, undermining their service promise and increasing working capital tied up in port yards and inland container depots (ICDs). Over time, persistent bottlenecks diminish overall competitiveness of Bangladesh’s logistics and freight-forwarding sector, dissuading clients reliant on time-sensitive trade, such as apparel exporters or perishable-goods importers.
• The foregoing instances illustrate that port congestion and operational delays at Bangladesh’s major gateway ports especially Chattogram remain persistent and systemic. Repeated yard over-capacity, inadequate inland container clearance, shortage of lighter vessels or rail/road transport capacity, and intermittent workforce disruptions at customs and handling operations combine to create a fragile and unpredictable supply-chain environment.
• For the freight-forwarding sector, such instability undermines service reliability, inflates demurrage and storage costs, increases turnaround times, ties up working capital, and reduces competitiveness particularly for clients whose supply chains depend on timely delivery. Until infrastructural and institutional reforms significantly improve port operations, congestion and associated delays will continue to restrain growth and efficiency of Bangladesh’s freight-forwarding market.

For Instances,

• In August 2025, The Financial Express noted that around 45,000 TEUs were piled up at Chattogram port yards (out of ~53,000 TEU capacity), with about a dozen container ships anchored outside waiting three to six days - suggesting that port yard over-capacity and berthing delays remain a recurring issue.
• In May 2025, bdnews24.com reported that a pen-down protest by customs officials at Chattogram Port deepened container pile-up, with ships waiting up to six days to dock, despite the port's yard having capacity for 53,518 TEUs.
• In July 2025, The Business Standard reported that about 20 container ships were waiting at outer anchorage for nine days, pointing to vessel backlog as infrastructure limitations (e.g. insufficient gantry cranes, yard space) rather than sheer volume.

Bangladesh Freight Forwarding Market Scope

The Bangladesh freight forwarding market is segmented into notable segments based on offering, mode of transport, logistics model, customer type, freight forwarder type, and end user.

• By Offering

On the basis of Offering, the market is segmented into Services and Software

Services segment is expected to dominate the market owing to the country’s heavy reliance on exports, particularly from the Ready-Made Garments (FREIGHT FORWARDING) sector, which necessitates extensive logistics support through large-scale sea and air freight operations. The FREIGHT FORWARDING industry, being a major contributor to national revenue, drives substantial demand for efficient transportation services to ensure timely delivery of goods to international markets. This dependency on freight transport underscores the critical role of shipping and air cargo infrastructure in sustaining export growth and meeting global supply chain requirements..

•  By Logistics Model

On the basis of Logistics Model, the market is segmented into Third Party Logistics (3PL), Second Party Logistics (2PL), and First Party Logistics (1PL).  

Third-Party Logistics (3PL) segment is expected to dominate the market, driven by strong outsourcing trends among FREIGHT FORWARDING exporters, FMCG companies, retailers, and e-commerce players. These businesses increasingly seek end-to-end logistics solutions to optimize costs, enhance supply chain efficiency, and focus on core operations, fueling the demand for integrated 3PL services across warehousing, transportation, and last-mile delivery.

• By Mode of Transport

On the basis of Mode of Transport, the market is segmented into Sea Freight Forwarding (TEUs), Road Freight Forwarding, Air Freight Forwarding (Tonnage), Rail Freight Forwarding, and Waterways Freight Forwarding

Sea Freight Forwarding (TEUs) segment is expected to dominate the market due to the country’s high-volume apparel exports, which increasingly rely on containerized shipping. This growth is further supported by the expansion of Chattogram and Mongla Port operations, along with improvements in container handling efficiency, enabling faster turnaround times, reduced congestion, and more reliable logistics for international trade. The combined effect of rising export demand and enhanced port infrastructure positions sea freight forwarding as the leading segment in the country’s freight transport landscape.

• By Consumer Type

On the basis of Customer Type, the market is segmented into B2B, E-Commerce & Last Mile Delivery, and B2C.

B2B segment is expected to dominate the market, driven by a strong industrial base, high-volume export manufacturing, and steady demand from key sectors including FREIGHT FORWARDING, textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and electronics, which collectively require large-scale, reliable logistics and supply chain solutions..

• By Freight Forwarder Type

On the basis of Freight Forwarder Type, the market is segmented into Consolidators/NVOCC, Multimodal/Intermodal Transport Operators (MTOs), Customs Brokers, Port Agents, and Others..

Consolidators/NVOCC segment is expected to dominate, driven by increasing container volumes and the growing demand for LCL (Less-than-Container Load) consolidation services among small and medium-sized exporters seeking cost-effective and efficient shipping solutions..

• By End User

On the basis of End User, the market is segmented into Industrial & Manufacturing, Retail, Food & Beverages, Healthcare, Oil & Gas, Military, Media & Entertainment, and Others.

The Industrial & Manufacturing segment will dominate the Bangladesh Freight Forwarding Market due to the country’s strong export-oriented production base, led by the Ready-Made Garments (FREIGHT FORWARDING) industry which accounts for the majority of Bangladesh’s trade volume. High dependence on international markets, continuous inflow of raw materials (fabrics, machinery, chemicals), and large-scale outbound shipments of finished goods create substantial demand for sea, air, road, rail, and waterways freight services.

Bangladesh Freight Forwarding Market Insight

The Bangladesh freight forwarding market is witnessing robust growth, fueled by the country’s expanding readymade garments (FREIGHT FORWARDING) exports and increasing international trade volumes. Rising demand for efficient, cost-effective logistics solutions, coupled with the need for faster transit times, is driving adoption of third-party logistics (3PL), consolidator/NVOCC services, and advanced supply chain management systems. Investments in port infrastructure, container handling efficiency at Chattogram and Mongla ports, and enhanced digital tracking solutions are accelerating operational efficiency and reliability. Furthermore, growing collaboration between freight forwarders, exporters, shipping lines, and warehousing providers is enabling end-to-end logistics solutions, improving service quality and competitiveness in global markets. These factors collectively position Bangladesh as a key player in regional freight forwarding and global apparel supply chains.

Bangladesh Freight Forwarding Market Share

The Bangladesh Freight Forwarding industry is primarily led by well-established companies, including:

• CEVA Logistics (Switzerland)
• AKIJ Resource (Bangladesh)
• Allport Cargo Services Logistics Pte Ltd. (Singapore)
• ANEK Lines – Acquired by Attica Group (Greece)
• Allcargo Logistics Ltd. (India)
• United Parcel Service of America, Inc. – UPS (U.S.)
• AEx Group (Bangladesh)
• ASF Express (BD) Ltd (Bangladesh)
• Alif International Agency (Bangladesh)
• ALLIED SEA-AIR LOGISTICS LTD (Bangladesh)
• Cargo Distribution Network (BD) Ltd. (Bangladesh)
• AMRA Logistics Ltd. (Bangladesh)
• Fareast Logistics BD Ltd (Bangladesh)
• RK Freight Ltd (Bangladesh)
• Allied Maritime Services (Bangladesh)
• Ambition Inc. (Bangladesh)
• APS Logistics (Bangladesh)
• 2C Shipping (Bangladesh)
• Mars Freight Bangladesh Ltd. (Bangladesh)
• Shams Group of Companies (Bangladesh)
• AEx Cargo Intl. (Bangladesh)
• DSV (Denmark)
• MOL Logistics Co., Ltd. (Japan)
• FedEx (United States)

Latest Developments in Bangladesh Freight Forwarding Market

• In June 2025, DHL has partnered with Daimler Truck and hylane to introduce 30 fully electric Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 trucks under a “transport-as-a-service” model to enhance parcel-center transportation in Germany. The collaboration supports DHL’s sustainability goals by reducing emissions, improving energy efficiency, and integrating advanced electric trucking technology into daily logistics operations. This initiative strengthens DHL’s shift toward greener, more efficient long-haul road transport solutions.
• In May 2025, Kuehne+Nagel has recently entered a lead-logistics provider agreement with Evonik across Asia-Pacific (China, India, Southeast Asia, etc.), managing ~70,000 air, sea, and road shipments annually under an integrated transport-management framework.
• In September 2022, 3i Logistics was named as “One of South Asia’s top sustainable logistics & supply chain solutions providers” under the South Asian Business Excellence Awards 2022 recognizing its performance in project logistics, freight forwarding, transport & supply chain services under challenging conditions (including deliveries during COVID 19).
• In March 2023, A H Khan & Company Ltd. marked a key milestone in its growth by receiving ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 28000:2007 certifications, formally recognizing its commitment to quality management and secure supply chain operations. The certification ceremony was held at Dhaka Club, reflecting the company’s strengthened focus on operational excellence and global standards.
• In 2024, Crown Logistics published company material highlighting efforts to optimise operations, embrace technology and strengthen service quality across warehousing, consolidation and project-cargo handling — underlining a continued emphasis on improving operational efficiency and sustainability in its Bangladesh operations.

SKU-75140