China Digital Freight Forwarding Market Size
| Study Period | 2020 - 2029 |
| Base Year For Estimation | 2023 |
| Forecast Data Period | 2024 - 2029 |
| Historical Data Period | 2020 - 2022 |
| CAGR | 6.00 % |
| Market Concentration | Low |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Need a report that reflects how COVID-19 has impacted this market and its growth?
China Digital Freight Forwarding Market Analysis
China's digital freight forwarding market is expected to register a CAGR of over 6% during the forecast period.
The COVID-19 pandemic impacted the freight forwarding market due to lockdowns and entry restrictions imposed by the neighboring countries. After the easing of lockdown restrictions, freight forwarders witnessed significant growth in the country, and the pandemic created an opportunity to freight forwarders to adopt digital technologies to meet the increasing demand.
Moreover, to face the multiple challenges posed by the pandemic, China's logistics sector is adopting digital technologies to boost efficiency. In addition, the country's government also supports digital third-party logistics platforms and develops a batch of digital platforms and supply chain enterprises with global influence.
Furthermore, Chinese freight forwarders are leveraging digital technologies to help boost logistics efficiency in regions affected by the pandemic. For instance, Full Truck Alliance, a Chinese truck-hailing company, utilizes digital technology to provide apps that connect many truck drivers with merchants. The digital platform also enables truck drivers to find goods quickly and reduce empty-load rates and fuel consumption. However, in 2022, according to the General Office of the State Council, China released its first five-year plan to modernize its logistics sector by the end of 2025. The plan includes promoting the digital transformation of the logistics sector, increasing the quality and efficiency of services, etc. Thus, digital transformation is likely to drive China's freight forwarding industry.
China Digital Freight Forwarding Market Trends
This section covers the major market trends shaping the China Digital Freight Forwarding Market according to our research experts:
Rise in E-Commerce Sector Driving the Market
China currently owns one of the world's strongest e-commerce sectors. In 2021, despite the pandemic disruption, retail e-commerce sales in the country amounted to more than USD 2.7 trillion, and it is expected to reach approximately USD 3.5 trillion by 2024. In addition, as per industry experts, the country holds more than 40% of the global market share in e-commerce sales and handles more e-commerce transactions than France, German, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
Moreover, in September 2022, as per the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing (CFLP), the country's e-commerce logistics index increased to 108.1 at a growth rate of 50%, which is higher than the threshold line. This rebound can be attributed to the steady recovery of household consumption, rapid growth in energy and logistics, and restoration of the logistics supply capacity in the country. Moreover, in Q4 2022, domestic e-commerce platforms and freight forwarders improved their infrastructure to enhance delivery quality and efficiency.
In addition, industry experts projected growth in e-commerce sales, majorly driven by the Double 11 shopping festival in the country. Most of the e-commerce platforms started presales for this event. October 2022, presales on JD Worldwide, JD's import business platform, experienced a growth rate of more than 170% compared to the same period in the previous year. However, with the growing sales, online customers expect order accuracy, same-day or same-hour delivery, and free returns. In addition, e-commerce companies are exploring ways to reduce order delivery times and operational costs. The e-commerce industry drives the demand for transparency, affordability, convenience, speed in delivery, and compelling frictionless returns. In order to cater to these increasing e-commerce sales, most freight forwarders are moving toward digitization of their services to maintain transparency.
Increasing Air Cargo Shipments Expected to Drive the Market
Chinese air cargo witnessed an upward trend. For instance, in 2022, Shanghai Pudong International Airport's inbound and outbound cargo flights reached more than 17,800 in Q3 2022, at a growth rate of nearly 34% compared to Q2 2022 and increased by 6.6% when compared to the same period of the previous year. In addition, from Q1 to Q2 of 2022, Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport completed an air cargo throughput of 478,000 tons, including 78,300 tons of air cargo in the international segment (Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan).
Moreover, as per the China Academy of Civil Aviation Science and Technology, in early 2022, the air cargo volume slightly declined when compared to the pre-pandemic levels. After April 2022, the volume showed an increasing trend. In addition, growth in e-commerce has driven air cargo shipments in the country. International trade in China has also created a strong demand for air cargo, fueling the digital freight forwarding industry in the country.
Meanwhile, according to customs data, China's cross-border e-commerce import and export scale has increased nearly 10 times in the past five years. In addition, the outbreak of the pandemic fueled cross-border e-commerce in the country, further boosting air cargo demand. However, as per the Civil Aviation Administration of China, in September 2022, air cargo shipment volume amounted to more than 510,000 tons. Thus, the increasing air freight volume will drive digitalization adoption in the logistics sector.
China Digital Freight Forwarding Industry Overview
The report covers the major players operating in the Chinese digital freight forwarding market. The market is highly competitive, with none of the players occupying the major share. The market is fragmented, and it is expected to grow during the forecast. The major players in the Chinese digital freight forwarding market include DHL, Flexport, Agility Logistics, and Freightos.
China Digital Freight Forwarding Market Leaders
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Flexport
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Agility Logistics
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DHL
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Full Truck Alliance
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SINO SHIPPING
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
China Digital Freight Forwarding Market News
Dec 2022: China Southern Airlines is linking up with WebCargo (a unit of Freightos). WebCargo has more than 30 airlines offering their services for air freight globally. In addition, China Southern is the first Chinese carrier on WebCargo, and the airlines utilize this digital platform for e-bookings and payments, which also increases the customer base.
Apr 2022: Agility (a global company in supply chain services, infrastructure, and innovation) announced that its digital freight forwarding arm Shipa Freight would merge with iContainers (a pioneer in online freight platforms). This merger will combine technology platforms and operations, which combinedly owned by Agility logistics.
China Digital Freight Forwarding Market Report - Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
- 1.1 Study Deliverables
- 1.2 Study Assumptions
- 1.3 Scope of the Study
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
- 2.1 Analysis Methodology
- 2.2 Research Phases
3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4. MARKET INSIGHTS
- 4.1 Current Market Scenario
- 4.2 Value Chain / Supply Chain Analysis
- 4.3 Insights on Investment Scenarios
- 4.4 Insights on Government Regulations and Initiatives
- 4.5 Brief on Technology Development in Online Freight Forwarding and Digital Platforms
- 4.6 Overview on E-commerce Logistics and Freight Forwarding in China
- 4.7 Impact of COVID-19 on the Market
5. MARKET DYNAMICS
- 5.1 Drivers
- 5.2 Restraints
- 5.3 Opportunities
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5.4 Industry Attractiveness - Porter's Five Forces Analysis
- 5.4.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
- 5.4.2 Bargaining Power of Customers
- 5.4.3 Threat of New Entrants
- 5.4.4 Threat of Substitutes
- 5.4.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry
6. MARKET SEGMENTATION
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6.1 By Mode of Transportation
- 6.1.1 Ocean
- 6.1.2 Air
- 6.1.3 Road
- 6.1.4 Rail
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6.2 By Firm Type
- 6.2.1 SMEs
- 6.2.2 Large Enterprises and Governments
7. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
- 7.1 Market Concentration Overview
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7.2 Company Profiles
- 7.2.1 Flexport
- 7.2.2 Youtrans
- 7.2.3 Full Truck Alliance (Manbang group)
- 7.2.4 Twill
- 7.2.5 Agility Logistics Pvt. Ltd (Shipa Freight)
- 7.2.6 Freightos
- 7.2.7 DHL Group
- 7.2.8 Kuehne + Nagel International AG
- 7.2.9 FreightBro
- 7.2.10 Cogoport
- 7.2.11 SINO SHIPPING
- 7.2.12 DB Schenker
- 7.2.13 MOOV
- 7.2.14 WICE Logistics*
- *List Not Exhaustive
8. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS
9. DISCLAIMER
China Digital Freight Forwarding Industry Segmentation
Digital freight forwarders use digital tools that help smoothen the flow of communication and quickly get status updates regarding any shipment. Digital freight forwarder employs a completely transparent system that compares various shippers to offer the best deal to the customers. A complete background analysis of the Chinese digital freight forwarding market, including the assessment of the economy and contribution of sectors in the economy, market overview, market size estimation for key segments, emerging trends in the market segments, market dynamics, and geographical trends, and COVID-19 impact is included in the report.
China's Digital Freight Forwarding Market is segmented by Mode of Transportation (Ocean, Air, Road, and Rail) and Firm Type (SMEs and Large Enterprises, and Governments). The report offers market size and forecasts for the China Digital Freight Forwarding Market in value (USD billion) for above all segments.
| By Mode of Transportation | Ocean |
| Air | |
| Road | |
| Rail | |
| By Firm Type | SMEs |
| Large Enterprises and Governments |
China Digital Freight Forwarding Market Research FAQs
What is the current China Digital Freight Forwarding Market size?
The China Digital Freight Forwarding Market is projected to register a CAGR of greater than 6% during the forecast period (2024-2029)
Who are the key players in China Digital Freight Forwarding Market?
Flexport, Agility Logistics, DHL, Full Truck Alliance and SINO SHIPPING are the major companies operating in the China Digital Freight Forwarding Market.
What years does this China Digital Freight Forwarding Market cover?
The report covers the China Digital Freight Forwarding Market historical market size for years: 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the China Digital Freight Forwarding Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.
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