10.2.4.2Vertical

Ocean Freight Forwarding

Companies arranging ocean container freight for importers.

Market snapshot

These figures describe International Freight Forwarding (10.2.4), the segment that Ocean Freight Forwarding sits within. They are not figures for Ocean Freight Forwarding on its own.

FragmentationConsolidatingEstimate

International freight forwarding sits within freight transportation arrangement (NAICS 488510, sized under domestic brokerage above) and much activity is cross-border; it is not separately disclosed, so the segment is not separately sized here.

Business model & economics

Revenue model

Forwarding margins and international-logistics fees

Key economics

Recurring revenue
Moderate

recurring shipper relationships

EBITDA margin
Margin- and volume-driven; cyclical
Capex intensity
Low

Characteristics

  • Arranges cross-border ocean and air shipments.
  • Consolidated around global forwarders.
  • Digital forwarding (Flexport) an ongoing disruption.

M&A deal context

Deal activityModerate

Who’s acquiring

  • Global freight forwarders
  • Digital-forwarding platforms
  • PE-backed consolidators

What’s driving deals

  • Consolidation around global forwarders.
  • Digital-forwarding disruption.
  • Trade-cycle and supply-chain demand.

Find Ocean Freight Forwarding acquisition targets

Search Acquisera’s index for companies classified under Ocean Freight Forwarding (10.2.4.2) and build a targeted deal pipeline.

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