The global intermodal transport market will double in the coming years
Author: Łukasz Kuś | Translated from Polish
29.12.2025 | The global intermodal transport market will grow to $109.5 billion in 2032, reaching an average annual growth rate of 10.4% until then, according to Allied Market Research analysts.
As indicated in a report on the international intermodal transport market, factors that will drive the development of this industry in the coming years will include digitalization, including the use of AI tools, automation, and the drive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in freight transport. In 2022, the global intermodal transport market was estimated at $42.5 billion, and this industry is expected to more than double in the next few years.
"Intermodal transportation has undergone significant advancements thanks to the integration of technology, which has translated into increased efficiency and effectiveness of logistics operations. Key developments include real-time tracking, supported by IoT sensors in containers and vehicles, used by companies like Maersk Line and CMA CGM to monitor the location and condition of cargo. Route optimization based on artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms, used by UPS and FedEx, minimizes fuel consumption and shortens transit times," commented Lalit Janardhan Katare, an expert at Allied Market Research.
Industry development factors
The development of intermodal transport will be driven by modal shift. Currently, road transport accounts for 72% of the transport sector's greenhouse gas emissions in Europe, with trucks accounting for a quarter of that. Reducing these emissions will require both the implementation of new zero-emission technologies and the use of alternatives such as intermodal, which in many cases prove to be a cheaper solution. Barriers to the development of this industry include disruptions in the transport network resulting from the growing organizational complexity as intermodal transport networks expand.
Among the industries that use intermodal transport, retail has the largest share, followed by the manufacturing industry, the fuel sector, and mining. In the coming years, the largest growth in intermodal transport volumes will be generated by e-commerce. Europe is the largest regional market for intermodal transport, and according to AMR, it will maintain this position in the coming years.