2018 Top 50 Global Freight

2018 Essential Revenue and Operating Information for the 50 Largest Global Freight Carriers

Up Front

Here’s how rail intermodal projects are boosting development in cities across America.
This year, the world’s biggest freight carriers all got a little bigger as demand for transportation surged.
Several of the most daring and promising concepts for the future of transportation.

Rankings

Rank This Year Rank Last Year Company Headquarters Freight Revenue (Millions) Total Revenue (Millions) Freight Revenue Share
1 1 FedEx Logistics United States $57,198 $62,335 91.8%
2 2 UPS Inc. United States $57,100 $65,872 86.7%
3 3 China Railway Corp. China $39,395 $150,274 26.2%
4 4 Maersk Denmark $29,096 $30,945 94%
5 5 Russian Railways Russia $26,285 $38,594 68.1%
6 6 Deutsche Post DHL Group Germany $21,915 $68,271 32.1%
7 9 Mediterranean Shipping Co. Switzerland $21,428 $21,428 100%
8 7 Union Pacific Corp. United States $21,240 $21,240 100%
9 10 CMA CGM Group France $21,116 $21,116 100%
10 8 BNSF Railway United States $20,406 $21,387 95.4%
11 11 Indian Railways India $17,948 $25,311 64.8%
12 13 Mitsui O.S.K. Lines Japan $13,958 $14,830 94.1%
13 12 NYK Group Japan $13,869 $19,903 69.7%
14 18 Cosco Shipping Group China $13,378 $13,378 100%
15 14 Deutsche Bahn AG Germany $12,578 $48,234 26.1%
16 17 CSX Corp. United States $11,408 $11,408 100%
17 15 Hapag-Lloyd AG Germany $11,264 $11,264 100%
18 16 Yamato Holdings Japan $11,190 $15,459 72%
19 19 Norfolk Southern Corp. United States $10,551 $10,551 100%
20 22 SF Express China $10,522 $10,522 100%
21 20 Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha Ltd. (K Line) Japan $10,166 $10,166 100%
22 21 Canadian National Railway Canada $9,766 $10,054 97%
23 23 XPO United States $7,516 $15,381 48.9%
24 25 GeoPost Group France $7,350 $7,699 95.5%
25 24 SG Holdings Japan $7,302 $9,003 81.1%
26 27 J.B. Hunt Transport Services United States $6,181 $7,190 86%
27 28 Orient Overseas (International) Ltd. Hong Kong $6,108 $6,108 100%
28 30 Canadian Pacific Railway Canada $4,915 $5,053 97.3%
29 29 Yellow Corp. United States $4,891 $4,891 100%
30 32 Knight-Swift Transportation United States $4,634 $5,186 89.4%
31 35 Evergreen Marine Corp. Taiwan $4,444 $4,947 88.9%
32 31 Hyundai Merchant Marine Co. South Korea $4,438 $4,438 100%
33 33 Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp. Taiwan $4,303 $4,303 100%
34 34 Transnet Group South Africa $3,775 $4,918 76.8%
35 36 Schneider United States $3,647 $4,384 83.2%
36 40 TFI International Canada $3,460 $3,655 94.7%
37 39 Emirates Group United Arab Emirates $3,386 $24,831 13.6%
38 38 Old Dominion Freight Line United States $3,358 $3,358 100%
39 37 Nippon Express Japan $3,117 $17,798 17.5%
40 43 Cathay Pacific Airways Hong Kong $3,067 $12,483 24.6%
41 41 Toll Group Australia $3,023 $6,282 48.1%
42 44 ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Israel $2,978 $2,978 100%
43 46 Lufthansa Group Germany $2,851 $40,186 7.1%
44 38 Pacific International Lines Singapore $2,616 $3,798 68.9%
45 45 Kansas City Southern United States $2,583 $2,583 100%
46 48 Estes Express Lines United States $2,476 $2,746 90.2%
47 50 Korean Air South Korea $2,473 $10,387 23.8%
48 42 Aurizon Australia $2,409 $2,409 100%
49 - Wallenius Wilhelmsen Group Norway $2,404 $3,024 79.5%
50 - Kazakhstan Temir Zholy Kazakhstan $2,349 $2,785 84.3%

Extras

A look at what logistics companies can do to compete in the age of Amazon.
An increase in global shipping volume is adding urgency to efforts to optimize cargo handling.
Railroads push to boost earnings while trying to accommodate an increase in demand for intermodal shipping.
Find out where the Top Global Freight Carriers are around the world.
Learn more about Transport Topics' Top 50 Global Freight Carriers Publication
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Global Freight News

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Amazon Revamps AI Agent for Online Sellers Hit by Trade War

The souped-up Seller Assistant is designed to predict demand and manage inventory in a holiday shopping season clouded by the trade war.

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Amazon Tests GM BrightDrop EV Delivery Vans

The pilot, though modest — about 12 vehicles — places the GM vans among a fleet that includes vehicles built by Ford, Mercedes-Benz, Stellantis and Rivian.

September 12, 2025
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FTC Investigates Amazon, Google Over Advertising Practices

The investigations focus on whether the companies properly disclosed the terms and pricing for ads, Bloomberg reports.

September 12, 2025
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More Than 60 Containers Fall Off Ship at Port of Long Beach

It isn’t clear what was in the containers, though local reports said shoes and clothing were seen floating in the water, and some containers appeared to have sunk.

September 10, 2025
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Amazon Buys Stake in Latin American Delivery Startup Rappi

Amazon has taken a stake in Colombian delivery company Rappi, a partnership that pairs Amazon's retail and technology infrastructure with one of Latin America’s best-known last-mile companies.

September 8, 2025
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De Minimis Tariff Exemption Ends, Roiling E-Commerce

Now small parcels that used to let inexpensive items flow easily from across the rest of the globe will get hit with a tariff and customs forms, too.

August 29, 2025
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Consumers to Feel Tariff Pain as Small Parcel Exemption Ends

President Donald Trump’s decision to scrap the policy means that surprise bills will increasingly accompany deliveries that have become a staple of modern life for many consumers.

August 28, 2025
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UPS Outsources Weather Forecasting Operation

The company has also shifted its technology support functions in recent months to third-party tech vendors.

August 27, 2025
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Walmart Adds Next-Day Shipping in Key Cities

Walmart's fulfillment service, which stores and ships products for third-party marketplace sellers, will provide next-day delivery in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston and Atlanta.

August 26, 2025
GovernmentBusinessLogisticsFor-HireGlobal Freight

Mail Services Globally Pause US Deliveries Over Tariffs

As of Aug. 29, President Donald Trump is ending the de minimis exemption that has applied to more than 4 million parcels flowing through the U.S. each day, driven largely by e-commerce.

August 22, 2025

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