Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. They never change the order of our ranking, and spots labeled Sponsored are paid and sit outside it. How we rank
Quick answer
Our top picks for ocean freight forwarding companies are DSV, Kuehne+Nagel and DHL Supply Chain. They lead on results, clear pricing and verified reviews. Compare budgets, pricing models and specialties in the table below to find the right fit.
No matches.Nothing fits that budget and specialty. Try a higher budget or “All”.
“Sponsor rank” buys the labeled Sponsored spot at that position above the list. It never changes the editorial order. Ratings are a review-count-weighted average of Clutch, Google and Trustpilot.
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Danish logistics group in 90+ countries that absorbed DB Schenker in 2025 and reported DKK 247.3B revenue for the year.
DSV was founded in Denmark in 1976 and says it has about 150,000 employees and 3,000+ offices and facilities in more than 90 countries. It bought Schenker from Deutsche Bahn in 2025, and reported full-year 2025 revenue of DKK 247.3B, with air volumes up about 44% largely from the merger. Shippers should expect some integration changes while the two networks combine.
Global forwarder that reported about 4.3M TEU of sea freight and 2.2M tonnes of air freight in 2025.
Kuehne+Nagel is one of the largest forwarders by volume. Trade press reported 2025 net turnover of about CHF 24.5B (around US$31.3B), roughly 4.3 million TEU by sea and 2.2 million tonnes by air, with air volume up 7%. It suits brands shipping steady volumes across many lanes; smaller shippers may get less attention than with a digital forwarder.
Contract logistics arm of DHL Group, ranked #2 globally for warehouse space by Armstrong & Associates.
DHL Supply Chain offers contract warehousing, ecommerce and omnichannel solutions and a shared DHL Fulfillment Network for smaller shippers. Armstrong & Associates ranks DHL Supply Chain and Global Forwarding #2 worldwide by warehouse space (263.7M sq ft, 2025) and its North American unit #12 among US 3PLs at $5.4B in revenue. Pricing is quote-based.
Tech-led forwarder that says about 13,000 brands have used it to move $175B+ of goods across 135 countries.
Flexport pairs forwarding with a software platform, customs brokerage, fulfillment and trade finance. It says about 13,000 brands, from startups to Fortune 500 companies, have used it, moving more than $175B of goods, and that it operates across 135 countries. It is a natural fit for DTC and Amazon brands that want freight, customs and warehousing under one login.
Bellevue, WA forwarder founded in 1979 with 335+ locations in 100 countries and $11.07B in 2025 revenue.
Expeditors is a publicly listed US forwarder founded in 1979 and based in Bellevue, Washington. It says it runs over 335 locations in 100 countries and offers air, ocean, ground, customs and warehousing. It reported 2025 revenue of $11.07B, up 4%, with Q4 airfreight kilos up 6% and ocean FEU down 6%.
US logistics provider with 75,000 customers, $23B freight under management and a global forwarding division.
C.H. Robinson says it serves 75,000 customers, manages $23B of freight and handles 37 million shipments a year, with 2025 revenue of $16B. Its Global Forwarding division covers ocean, air and customs brokerage, which pairs well with its large North American trucking business. It does not publish forwarding rates.
Global logistics provider reporting 110,000 staff, a 170-country network, 680,000 tons of air and 1.75M TEU of ocean freight.
CEVA Logistics publishes a facts page listing a 110,000-person workforce, a network covering 170 countries, 680,000 tons of air freight, 1.75 million TEU of ocean freight and $18.3B in gross revenue. It combines forwarding with contract logistics and ground transport. Pricing is by quote.
Tokyo-based forwarder founded in 1970 with 665 offices in 45 countries and regions, including China and the US.
KWE was spun off in 1970 and is headquartered in Tokyo. Its site lists 45 countries and regions, 302 cities, 665 offices and 18,651 employees, with offices in China, Hong Kong and the USA. It bought APL Logistics in 2015 for US$1.2B. A good fit for shippers with strong Japan or wider Asia lanes.
Online forwarder aimed at small importers, with guides on shipping from China to the US and to Amazon FBA.
Ship4wd is a digital forwarder built for small and mid-sized importers. Its site covers China-to-US forwarding and how to ship from China to Amazon FBA by ocean or air. We could not confirm founding date, team size or review data, so treat it as a smaller-scale option to compare quotes against.
Ocean freight is the most cost-effective way to import large volumes. You can book a full container or share space through less-than-container-load service. Therefore, ask a forwarder to recommend the right option for your volume and timeline.
Next, check their carrier relationships and space guarantees during peak seasons. In addition, ask about drayage, warehousing and final delivery, since the ocean leg is only part of the journey.
How pricing usually works
Quotes include ocean freight, port fees, fuel surcharges, customs clearance and inland delivery. Rates change often. So compare complete door-to-door quotes for the same container type and dates.
Questions to ask before you sign
First, ask about typical transit and dwell times at your destination port. Next, ask how they handle delays and demurrage. Then ask what cargo insurance covers. Finally, request references from importers on your lanes. As a result, you can compare every provider on equal terms.
How we ranked them
Each provider is scored out of 100: results and case studies (40%), specialty fit (25%), pricing transparency (20%) and verified reviews (15%). The score sets the editorial order. Sponsored spots are sold separately and never change it.
Confirm the provider handles your product type, volume and channels (Amazon FBA, Shopify, wholesale).
Get an all-in quote: setup, receiving, storage, per-order or per-unit fees, and monthly minimums.
Ask about certifications that matter for your category, such as cGMP for supplements or hazmat handling.
Check service levels in writing: accuracy, turnaround times and how errors are credited.
Speak to one current client of a similar size before you commit.
FAQs: Best Ocean Freight Forwarding Companies
Which ocean freight forwarders are the best?
Our current top picks are in the Quick answer at the top of this page. We rank ocean freight forwarding companies on results and case studies (40%), specialty fit (25%), pricing transparency (20%) and verified reviews (15%). Sponsored spots are paid, labeled, and never change the editorial order.
How does this list differ from the main ranking?
This list narrows the ranking to ocean freight forwarding companies. Every company is scored with the same methodology, with extra weight on fit for this use case, so the order can differ from Best Freight Forwarding Companies.
How much do ocean freight forwarders cost?
Pricing for ocean freight forwarding companies usually depends on volume: per order, per unit, per pallet or a quoted project fee, often with a monthly minimum. Minimums for each provider are in the comparison table above. Ask for a written quote that lists every fee, including setup, receiving, storage and account management.
