Top 9 Freight Forwarding Companies in India - Leading Freight Forwarders, Ranked & Compared
Table of Contents
- Which Are the Most Preferred Freight Forwarding Companies in India?
-
Comparing the Top 9 Freight Forwarding Companies in India
- Detailed Profile of the top 9 Freight Forwarding Companies in India
- Key Evaluation Factors We Assess
- Why Selecting a Freight Forwarding Company Matters for Business Growth
- How to Choose the Right Freight Forwarding Company for Your Business
- Freight Forwarding Trends in India: What You Should Know
- How ViewGates evaluates and rates these companies
The landscape of freight forwarding in India has become one of the most active logistics ecosystems in Asia. In this transformation, the role of the top freight forwarding companies in India is exceptional. Factors, such as exports, e-commerce, and manufacturing under initiatives like “Make in India” are pushing the growth of this industry. Firms, like DHL Global Forwarding, Maersk, and DSV have built strong networks across Indian ports. These forwarders handle everything from documentation and customs clearance to warehousing and multimodal transport.
Which Are the Most Preferred Freight Forwarding Companies in India?
The chart below reflects ViewGates proprietary brand popularity ranking methodology, based on a combination of internal analysis, survey insights, consumer preference signals, search trends, digital visibility, publicly accessible industry data, and other comparative indicators. Rankings are independently evaluated and updated by the ViewGates Editorial & Research Team to deliver credible, research-backed insights.
Comparing the Top 9 Freight Forwarding Companies in India
These ratings reflect ViewGates' independent expert evaluation across weighted factors (service quality, support, market presence). They are not user-submitted scores.
| Company | Best For | Pricing | ViewGate Score | Sub-scores (Quality · Support · Presence) |
| Maersk | Global ocean shipping and integrated logistics | Enterprise | 4.85 / 5 | 4.9 · 4.7 · 4.9 |
| Kuehne + Nagel | Air and sea freight forwarding for enterprises | Enterprise | 4.83 / 5 | 4.95 · 4.7 · 4.8 |
| DHL Global Forwarding | International air freight and supply chain solutions | Enterprise | 4.82 / 5 | 4.8 · 4.8 · 4.85 |
| DB Schenker | European-centric freight and contract logistics services | Enterprise | 4.79 / 5 | 4.8 · 4.75 · 4.8 |
| FedEx Express | Time-definite express parcel and air delivery | Enterprise | 4.78 / 5 | 4.75 · 4.7 · 4.9 |
| C.H. Robinson | North American 3PL freight brokerage and optimization | Enterprise | 4.67 / 5 | 4.7 · 4.6 · 4.7 |
| Nippon Express | Asia-focused multimodal logistics and forwarding services | Enterprise | 4.64 / 5 | 4.7 · 4.6 · 4.6 |
| DSV India | Indian freight forwarding and supply chain solutions | Enterprise | 4.57 / 5 | 4.6 · 4.5 · 4.6 |
| Agility Logistics | Middle East logistics and emerging market freight | Enterprise | 4.51 / 5 | 4.6 · 4.4 · 4.5 |
ViewGates Findings: Our findings show that choosing a freight forwarding partner in India depends primarily on specific business requirements and scale of operations. DHL Global Forwarding, Kuehne + Nagel, and DSV are widely preferred for end-to-end logistics with strong global coverage and multimodal capabilities. DB Schenker and Nippon Express are often chosen for dependable regional connectivity and cross-border execution. For urgent, time-sensitive shipments, FedEx Express is favoured due to its fast and reliable air network.
Detailed Profile of the top 9 Freight Forwarding Companies in India
Here are full details of the top freight forwarding companies in India:
1. DHL Global Forwarding
| Company Name | DHL Global Forwarding |
|---|---|
| Established Year | 1969 |
| Headquarters | Bonn, Germany |
| Official Website | Click Here |
DHL Global Forwarding is the freight forwarding division of the Deutsche Post DHL Group, providing international air, ocean, road, and rail freight services. The company focuses on end-to-end logistics solutions including customs brokerage, supply chain management, and time-definite cargo movement. It operates as a major global freight forwarder serving diversified industries such as automotive, pharmaceuticals, retail, and manufacturing. Its key strengths include a large global network, integrated logistics systems, and multimodal transport capabilities that support complex international trade flows across regions.
2. Maersk India
| Company Name | Maersk India |
|---|---|
| Established Year | 1990 |
| Headquarters | Mumbai, India |
| Official Website | Click Here |
Maersk is a global integrated logistics and shipping company engaged in container transportation, port operations, and supply chain services. It operates one of the largest container shipping fleets worldwide and provides end-to-end logistics solutions including ocean freight, inland transport, and warehousing. The company serves global trade networks across retail, energy, automotive, and industrial sectors. Its strengths include extensive maritime infrastructure, global route coverage, and integrated logistics capabilities that connect shipping with inland supply chain services across major trade corridors.
3. DB Schenker
| Company Name | DB Schenker |
|---|---|
| Established Year | 1872 |
| Headquarters | Essen, Germany |
| Official Website | Click Here |
DB Schenker is a global logistics and supply chain services provider offering land transport, air and ocean freight, and contract logistics solutions. It supports integrated supply chain operations for industries such as automotive, electronics, healthcare, and retail. The company operates extensive logistics networks across Europe, Asia, and the Americas. Its strengths include multimodal transport integration, strong European logistics infrastructure, and customized supply chain solutions designed for large industrial and commercial customers.
4. Kuehne + Nagel
| Company Name | Kuehne + Nagel |
|---|---|
| Established Year | 1890 |
| Headquarters | Schindellegi, Switzerland |
| Official Website | Click Here |
Kuehne + Nagel is a Switzerland-based logistics company specializing in sea freight, air freight, contract logistics, and integrated supply chain solutions. It provides global freight forwarding services and manages large-scale warehousing and distribution operations. The company serves industries including aerospace, automotive, pharmaceuticals, and retail. Its strengths include strong sea freight market share, advanced digital logistics platforms, and a broad international network that supports complex global supply chain requirements across multiple regions.
5. FedEx Express
| Company Name | FedEx Express |
|---|---|
| Established Year | 1971 |
| Headquarters | Memphis, Tennessee, United States |
| Official Website | Click Here |
FedEx Express is an international express transportation company specializing in time-definite air delivery services for documents and parcels. It operates one of the world’s largest cargo airline fleets and provides integrated express logistics solutions. The company serves industries such as e-commerce, healthcare, technology, and manufacturing. Its strengths include fast delivery networks, advanced tracking systems, and extensive air hub infrastructure, enabling reliable international and domestic express shipping across major global markets.
6. DSV (DSV India)
| Company Name | DSV (DSV India) |
|---|---|
| Established Year | 2006 |
| Headquarters | Gurugram, India |
| Official Website | Click Here |
DSV India operates as part of the global DSV logistics group, offering freight forwarding and supply chain solutions across air, sea, and road transport. It provides contract logistics, warehousing, and customs clearance services tailored to industrial and commercial clients. The company supports sectors such as automotive, healthcare, energy, and retail. Its strengths include integration with DSV’s global network, scalable logistics solutions, and strong presence in emerging markets, particularly across Asia and India.
7. Agility Logistics
| Company Name | Agility Logistics |
|---|---|
| Established Year | 1979 |
| Headquarters | Kuwait City, Kuwait |
| Official Website | Click Here |
Agility Logistics is a global logistics company based in Kuwait providing freight forwarding, contract logistics, warehousing, and supply chain infrastructure services. It operates in emerging and developed markets, supporting industries such as oil and gas, retail, defense, and aviation. The company also invests in logistics parks and infrastructure development in several regions. Its strengths include strong presence in Middle East and Africa markets, large warehousing networks, and integrated logistics solutions combining freight and infrastructure capabilities.
8. C.H. Robinson
| Company Name | C.H. Robinson |
|---|---|
| Established Year | 1905 |
| Headquarters | Eden Prairie, Minnesota, United States |
| Official Website | Click Here |
C.H. Robinson is a global third-party logistics provider specializing in freight brokerage, transportation management, and supply chain services. It connects shippers with carriers across truckload, less-than-truckload, ocean, and air freight networks. The company serves industries including retail, food and beverage, manufacturing, and automotive. Its strengths include large carrier networks, advanced logistics technology platforms, and data-driven freight optimization solutions supporting global and domestic supply chain operations.
9. Nippon Express
| Company Name | Nippon Express |
|---|---|
| Established Year | 1937 |
| Headquarters | Tokyo, Japan |
| Official Website | Click Here |
Nippon Express is a Japan-based logistics and transportation company offering domestic and international freight forwarding, warehousing, and supply chain management services. It provides multimodal transport solutions across air, sea, and land networks. The company serves industries such as automotive, electronics, chemicals, and retail distribution. Its strengths include strong domestic logistics infrastructure in Japan, integrated global forwarding capabilities, and specialized handling for high-value and industrial goods across international markets.
Key Evaluation Factors We Assess
This table shows some major factors that are used to evaluate the top freight forwarding companies in India:
| Evaluation Factor | What We Assess |
| Operational Efficiency | Operational consistency, service reliability, and execution across global logistics networks. |
| Technical Expertise & Compliance | Industry capability, certifications, safety standards, and regulatory compliance. |
| Maintenance Reliability | Speed of shipment handling, issue resolution, and service reliability. |
| Cost Effectiveness | Pricing efficiency, contract flexibility, and overall value across services. |
Why Selecting a Freight Forwarding Company Matters for Business Growth
Today, almost every country does transfer massive goods to each other in the form of business. Here, the need for the right freight forwarding becomes essential. The choice affects how smoothly goods move from factory floors to international markets. A trusted partner does not make your business suffer with transit delays, manages customs complexities, and keeps shipping costs predictable. Businesses that choose reliable forwarders like FedEx Express or Agility Logistics do face the least disruptions during peak shipping seasons. On the other hand, a wrong decision means missed deadlines, damaged goods, or compliance issues that hurt client trust. For industries working on tight margins, this decision often separates growth from stagnation.
How to Choose the Right Freight Forwarding Company for Your Business
Some of the major aspects to ponder while choosing a freight forwarding company for your business, including:
- Global network coverage – Ensure the company can handle end-to-end shipments across your key trade lanes.
- Service capabilities – Confirm whether the company offers air, sea, road, customs clearance, and value-added logistics services.
- Reliability & transit performance – Know about how much time a company takes to deliver and its consistency in handling cargo.
- Industry expertise – You should pick a company that has expertise in your sector (retail, manufacturing, pharma, etc).
Freight Forwarding Trends in India: What You Should Know
Some of the major trends observed in India:
Technology & Digitisation
Recently, most freight forwarders have moved to digital platforms, leading to a reduction in phone calls and paper trails. Now, freight forwarding services are becoming advanced with real-time shipment tracking, automated documentation, and AI-based route optimization. Companies that still do some processes manually are finding it increasingly difficult to retain serious clients.
Demand Pattern
In India, the demand for freight forwarding services has grown steadily as e-commerce exports and pharmaceutical shipments are continuously increasing. Top companies, such as Nippon Express are widely expanding their regional hubs to fulfil the demand on festive-season and quarter-end shipping surges. Demand is not uniform everywhere. Western ports of the country see heavier volumes than eastern parts. This imbalance continues to shape how forwarders allocate fleet and warehouse capacity.
Pricing Overview
Freight pricing in India is influenced by fuel prices, container availability, and disruptions in global shipping lanes. When demand is tight, air freight pricing tends to increase faster than ocean freight pricing. Forwarders like C.H. Robinson often offer layered pricing based on shipment frequency and volume commitments.
Types of freight forwarding services
Freight forwarding services cover air, ocean, rail, and road modes, each suited to different cargo needs. For bulk and heavy industrial goods, ocean freight is selected, while air freight services are mostly preferred for time-sensitive products like electronics and pharma. Also, there are multimodal solutions that combine two or more of these, gaining traction all over the world. This flexibility lets businesses balance cost against delivery speed depending on the shipment's urgency.
Sustainability Trends
Forwarders have taken sustainability seriously. Some of the top providers like DB Schenker have brought carbon-tracking tools that track emissions per shipment and provide information to clients. Electric last-mile delivery fleets are also becoming more common in metro logistics hubs. These major changes show rising pressure from global clients who now factor sustainability into vendor selection.
Market Overview
India’s freight forwarding industry is still growing and developing owing to modernized ports and digital customs clearance. The foreign and local companies are increasingly competing not in prices but in service quality. Moreover, better rail-road connection to the inland container depots has provided additional coverage beyond the metropolitan areas. Such efforts are gradually bringing India closer to other countries in terms of logistics efficiency.
Where to Buy
The freight forwarding services can be obtained through company websites, logistics offices, and trade platforms listing service providers. Businesses often start with a quote comparison across two or three forwarders before signing long-term contracts. Industry trade fairs and logistics expos also remain useful for building direct vendor relationships. For first-time exporters, working through a customs house agent alongside the forwarder can smooth the initial process considerably.
How ViewGates evaluates and rates these companies
Our evaluations are conducted independently by the ViewGates Editorial & Research Team. To build a complete picture of each company, our analysts aggregate public sentiment and data from multiple external sources — including community and trade forums, survey data, verified reviews across the web, and direct industry inquiries — and combine this with our internal database and proprietary scoring criteria such as service quality, support, pricing, and overall market presence.
User sentiment is one input among many; final ratings reflect ViewGates' independent expert assessment and are not based on direct user submissions on this platform. We follow a structured, consistent methodology to ensure fair comparisons across companies. Learn more on our Methodology page. To suggest a correction, contact us at support@viewgates.com.