North America Container Transshipment Market Size & Share 2024 to 2032

North America Container Transshipment Market Size

The North America container transshipment market size was valued at USD 2 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.7% between 2024 and 2032. The use of automation in ports is becoming increasingly popular in the container transshipment sector of North America. Ports are investing in automated systems for vessels’ container loading and unloading, vessel berthing, and inspection to improve effectiveness and to minimize mistakes. Automation of cranes, the use of automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and the implementation of AI-powered logistics platforms are now an essential part of the strategy for the modernization of ports.

The objectives of this strategy are to improve port reception and deliver the containers at reduced operational expenses, as well as mitigate the shortage of labor. Moreover, automation minimizes the disruptive impacts from contingencies involving people, like labor strikes, making ports more robust in coping with high container volumes. The Government Accountability Office indicates that the top ten ports in the United States had adopted a number of automation technologies to improve their efficiency in undergoing cargo transactions.
 

These include automatic gates for trucks and containers, which eliminate the need for extensive manual assistance at the terminal, as well as port community systems, which are software frameworks that automatically process logistics and supply chain information. In addition, the ports have IoT systems that use RFID, GPS, and cameras for operating the equipment and tracking containers.
 

Between various global trade routes, North America has a strategic position, especially the ones which link Asia Pacific to Europe and Latin America, that drives the container transshipment business. Due to the proximity of the region and continental markets, ports can serve as key international transshipment hubs so that containers may be handled and redistributed globally across several continents.
 

This benefit enables global carriers to reduce shipping expenses and transit periods. Moreover, with the expansion of the Panama Canal, North America becomes a more competitive place relative to other regions as a location for transshipment for the east-west and north-south trade. It provides global marine logistics a boost.
 

North America Container Transshipment Market Trends

Automation in port operations is gaining momentum in North America's container transshipment industry. Ports are adopting automated systems for container handling, vessel docking, and cargo inspection to enhance efficiency and reduce human error.  Automated container handling cranes, automated guided vehicles (AGVs), and AI-powered logistics management systems are now mainstays in the strategy for the modernization of ports. The goal is to increase port productivity, decrease costs and address workforce deficits. Moreover, automation alleviates the effects of various disruptions caused by human factors such as labor strikes and increases the robustness of ports in coping with high container traffic.
 

In the US, the top ten ports have adopted a number of automation technologies to facilitate the movement of cargo, according to a Government Accountability Office report. These technologies cover the automatic gates that enable trucks and containers to enter and leave the terminals with a minimal or no operator's attention as well as the port community systems which are information systems that automatically manage logistics and supply chain data. Additionally, these ports utilize IoT systems that employ technologies like RFID, GPS, and cameras for equipment operation and container tracking.
 

Governments’ stringent environmental protection laws have a dire impact on the container transshipment market. Ports are required to limit the emissions of harmful fumes, contain wastes, and lessen the consequences of their activities on the environment. These activities are costly. Some measures are obligatory in today’s world.
 

The expenditure may be required more sorely in cleaner technologies, alternative fuels, and more efficient degradable states of infrastructure. All these activities may be very necessary but may be solving strategy for expansion plans and capacity enhancement while also market growth in the short and medium term. This compliance-based burden may have dire consequences for smaller ports and operators.
 

North America Container Transshipment Market Analysis

Based on size, the market is segmented into small containers and large containers. In 2023, the large containers segment accounted for USD 1.3 billion and is expected to grow significantly over the forecast time frame.
 

• Large containers (40 feet) comprise the leading portion of the North American container transshipment market because they are productive in moving large amounts of cargo. These types of containers allow shippers to pack everything that needs to be transported and cut down on expenses for every item that is in transport.
   

The increasing trade volume, especially for overseas transportation, continues to drive the demand for 40-foot containers. Their capability of holding large and bulky shipments makes them preferred for the automotive, industrial goods, and electronics sectors. This trend leads to heightened large containers demand during the transshipment process and fosters market growth.
 

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Based on the end use, the North America container transshipment market is divided into food & beverages, consumer goods, healthcare, industrial products, oil & gas, chemicals and others. The industrial products held 32% of the market share in 2023. 
 

• The industrial products segment holds the largest share of the North American transshipment of containers market due to the increased demand for primary commodities, machinery, and industrial parts in international trade.
   
• Industrial products, including heavy machinery and equipment, are commonly transshipped at North American ports as they are transported to other manufacturing centers around the world.
   
• Increased manufacturing in the Asia Pacific and Europe, along with growing international trade of industrial products, continues to drive the demand for more efficient transshipment services in North America.
   

In 2023, the U.S. North America container transshipment market accounted for over 80% revenue share in North America.
 

• The U.S. has an edge on other economies in the North America market owing to the development of ports, their location in the United States, and the strong trade with Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
   
• On the East and West Coast of the United States are some of the major ports that serve as transshipment points for international trade. The country’s network of logistics, intermodal systems, and modern ports enable efficient transshipment, and consequently, the U.S holds the leadership position in this market. With the growth of international trade, it is predicted that the U.S. will increasingly become involved in global container transshipment.
   

North America Container Transshipment Market Share

PSA International, APM Terminals, Hutchison Ports, DP World, CMA CGM, COSCO, and SSA Marine collectively held a significant market share of 33% in the North America container transshipment industry in 2023.
 

• There is a significant focus from PSA International on investment in high-end technologies and forming strategic alliances to optimally position themselves as one of the leaders in the global container transshipment industry.
   
• The company works on improving port automation, digitalization, and sustainable practices. This allows PSA to commence transshipment business on key hubs as its global network and relations with shipping lines facilitate cross-docking operations. The company is also working on making port operations more environmentally friendly to remain relevant in the international market.
   
• As a member of the Maersk Group, APM Terminals specializes in container transshipment by leveraging its extensive global port and inland services infrastructure. The company invests in technological advancements, including automated container handling systems, to enhance port efficiency.
   
• APM Terminals also emphasizes environmental protection, for example, through reducing the carbon footprint of its terminals. Its strong integration with Maersk's shipping services enables it to capture market share confidently in container import and export, so the company is a strong competitor in the transshipment market.
   

North America Container Transshipment Market Companies

Major players operating in the North America container transshipment industry are:

• APM Terminals
• Ceres Global Ag Corp
• Construction Navale Bordeaux
• Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A.
• MEYER WERFT GmbH & Co., KG
• Ports America Inc
• PSA International
• Rhenus Group
• SSA Marine
• Viking Line
   

The container transshipment market in North America is highly contested as old and new logistics companies strive to dominate this niche market. They utilize their resources and expertise to design and implement an affordable and effective way to move containers between ports and other locations. The constancy of innovations in technology and improvements in logistics networks indicate a desire to solve major issues such as port traffic, sustainability legislation, and changes in trade volumes.
 

To enhance the smooth running of operations, companies are spending resources to modernize their port and intermodal infrastructure while incorporating innovations like infrastructure predictive analytics and tracking. Additionally, improved handling equipment and altered transport modes with lower emissions have made companies adopt greener policies in a bid to align with the shifting world standards of sustainability.
 

As competition intensifies, companies are starting to take a more market-oriented approach. They are formulating different solutions to fit various transshipment requirements such as rapid turnaround, efficient cargo security, and cold chain logistics. Firms expect to establish themselves as dependable partners in international trade and supply chains by focusing on reliability, efficiency, and dependability.
 

North America Container Transshipment Industry News

• In May 2024, the prominent provider of transport and logistics solutions, Scan Global Logistics (SGL), announced a new partnership with one of the leading container shipping companies, Hapag-Lloyd. This collaboration has a multimillion-dollar biofuel project at sea initiative, which addresses climate change and exemplifies the biofuel ambitions of both companies. This partnership illustrates their devotion to foster and sustaining clean practices in logistics and shipping.
   
• From January 2024, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd officially established their strategic operational partnership. This cooperative arrangement, which has been referred to as the Gemini Cooperation. will commence in February 2025 after the conclusion of the current 2M Alliance. A total of seven additional trade routes will be covered, from Asia to US West Coast, Asia to US East Coast, from Asia to Middle East, from Asia to Mediterranean region, from Asia to Northern Europe, Middle East to India/Europe and Transatlantic routes. This will enhance service and operational capacity across the globe.
   

The North America container transshipment market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecasts in terms of revenue ($ Mn/Bn) and Volume (TEUs) from 2021 to 2032, for the following segments:

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Market, By Size

• Small containers (20 feet)
• Large containers (40 feet)

Market, By Container

• Dry storage
• Flat rack
• Refrigerated
• Special purpose
• Others

Market, By End Use

• Food & beverages
• Consumer goods
• Healthcare
• Industrial products
• Oil & gas
• Chemicals
• Others

Market, By Port

• Deep-water
• Shallow-water

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries:

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada