Mobile Menu

Cargo Handling in China - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

IBISWorld IBISWorld Beijing, China Last Updated: May 2024 5710

Revenue

$18.0bn

2024

$18.8bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$X.Xbn

Employees

532k

Businesses

11,971

Wages

$X.Xbn

Cargo Handling in China industry analysis

Revenue for the Cargo Handling industry is expected to grow an annualized 0.1% over the five years through 2023, to total $18.0 billion. In 2023, as the Chinese government liberalizes its control over the COVID-19 pandemic, the domestic market will resume growth. Additionally, the total domestic freight volume is expected to increase 4.2% in 2023. The downstream manufacturing and construction sectors were seriously affected by the COVID-19 outbreak in the first half of 2020, pushing down industry revenue.Due to the substantial number of small and provisional firms in the industry, profit margins are low. Industry profits will account for an estimated 6.2% of revenue in 2023. Companies with good technology and competent management often benefit from higher profit. In recent years, rising labor costs have resulted in some negative effects on industry profit.An increasing number of foreign competitors have been putting pressure on domestic companies to improve service quality and efficiency. Many local firms operate with low automation and machinery, and still rely on manual labor. To help address these problems, the state government has introduced several new policies to improve cargo handling services quality and increase professional development.The implementation of the One Belt and One Road strategy, and growing downstream market demand and support policies, industry revenue is anticipated to grow an annualized 3.5% over the five years through 2028, to reach $21.4 billion. In addition, regulations and national industry standards aimed at improving enterprises' competitiveness are likely to be implemented in the near future.

Trends and Insights

  • The Cargo Handling industry has grown in recent years. The main external factors affecting the industry's performance are greater demand from downstream markets and supporting government policies.
  • Independent cargo handling in harbors, airports and train stations is the main source of industry revenue. The implementation of One Belt and One Road strategy will contribute to the development of cargo handling services in ports, airports and train stations.
  • Enterprises are located in developed areas. The industry is concentrated in Jiangsu, Guangdong and Shandong province, generating approximately 40% of total industry revenue in 2023.
  • Competition in this industry is relatively high due to the substantial number of small enterprises and low concentration. There is competition among companies in terms of price, service quality, technology, brand and other external factors.

Access hundreds of analysis and data

  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
  • PDF report or online database with Word, Excel and PowerPoint export options
  • 100% money back guarantee

Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 0.1 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $18.0bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Strong downstream demand promotes industry development

  • Cargo handling is an auxiliary operation with transportation and storage. Cargo handling services do not produce any value. However, in the whole commodity circulation process from production to sales, cargo handling must be carried out many times, regardless of the transportation, storage of goods, distribution of goods, packaging, and processing.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Cargo Handling in China
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Mechanization improvements will promote high-quality industry growth

  • Greater mechanization in the industry is anticipated to enhance the work efficiency and quality of cargo handling services.

Biggest companies in the Cargo Handling in China

Company
Market Share (%)
2023
Revenue ($short_0)
2023

There are no companies that hold a large enough market share in the Cargo Handling in China industry for IBISWorld to include in this product.

Products & Services Segmentation

Cargo Handling in China
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Independent or relatively independent cargo handling in harbors, air, Cargo handling for road transportation and Independent or relatively independent cargo handling with yards and . Independent or relatively independent cargo handling in harbors, air is the largest segment of the Cargo Handling in China.

Trends and Insights

Independent cargo handling in harbors, airports and train stations is the main source of industry revenue

  • Independent cargo handling in harbors, airports and train stations includes cargo handling in ports except cargo handling containers and shipping cargo handling, and stacking, demolition, sorting, tally, distribution and transit operations in station yard.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Establishments in Cargo Handling in China provide cargo handling service in harbors, airports, train stations and warehouses independently, as well as road transportation, construction and other clients with needs for professional cargo handling services. However, cargo handling establishments associated with warehouses, harbors, airports and train stations as well as cargo handling services exclusively for loading and unloading ships, aircrafts and trains are excluded from this industry.

What's included in this industry?

Independent or relatively independent cargo handling in harbors, airports and train stationsIndependent or relatively independent cargo handling with warehouses and freight yardsCargo handling for road transportationProfessional cargo handling and lifting service for construction projects and large machinery

Companies

Purchase this report to view all major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

TOTAL FREIGHT VOLUMEFLEXIBLE INTERMEDIATE BULK CONTAINERSINTERCITY LOGISTICS

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

The Cargo Handling industry has grown in recent years. The main external factors affecting the industry's performance are greater demand from downstream markets and supportin...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Independent cargo handling in harbors, airports and train stations is the main source of industry revenue. The implementation of One Belt and One Road strategy will contribut...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Enterprises are located in developed areas. The industry is concentrated in Jiangsu, Guangdong and Shandong province, generating approximately 40% of total industry revenue i...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across Asia Pacific, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Competition in this industry is relatively high due to the substantial number of small enterprises and low concentration. There is competition among companies in terms of pri...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

Cargo handling in China exhibits low concentration. The four largest companies jointly accounting for less than 10% industry revenue in 2023.

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024

Detailed analysis

    External Environment

    Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

    Analyst insights

    Industry assistance is growing. The government implements preferential tax policies to encourage enterprise development.

    In this chapter

    • External Drivers
    • Regulation & Policy
    • Assistance

    Key metrics

    • Regulation & policy level and trend
    • Assistance level and trend

    Charts

    • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
    • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

    Detailed analysis

    • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
    • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
    • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

    Financial Benchmarks

    View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

    Analyst insights

    Cargo Handling firms generally face high toll fee costs. Industry firms also face high fuel costs – which are included in utilities – and depreciation costs related to vehicl...

    In this chapter

    • Cost Structure
    • Financial Ratios
    • Key Ratios

    Key metrics

    • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
    • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
    • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
    • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

    Charts

    • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
    • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
    • Investment vs. share of economy

    Data tables

    • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
    • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
    • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
    • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • Average Wage (2014-2029)
    • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
    • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
    • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
    • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

    Detailed analysis

    • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

    Key Statistics

    Industry Data

    Data Tables

    Including values and annual change:

    • Revenue (2014-2029)
    • IVA (2014-2029)
    • Establishments (2014-2029)
    • Enterprises (2014-2029)
    • Employment (2014-2029)
    • Exports (2014-2029)
    • Imports (2014-2029)
    • Wages (2014-2029)

    Top Questions Answered

    Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

    What is the market size of the Cargo Handling industry in China in 2024?

    The market size of the Cargo Handling industry in China is $18.0bn in 2024.

    How many businesses are there in the Cargo Handling in China industry in 2024?

    There are 11,971 businesses in the Cargo Handling industry in China, which has grown at a CAGR of 1.0 % between 2019 and 2024.

    Has the Cargo Handling industry in China grown or declined over the past 5 years?

    The market size of the Cargo Handling industry in China has been growing at a CAGR of 0.1 % between 2019 and 2024.

    What is the forecast growth of the Cargo Handling industry in China over the next 5 years?

    Over the next five years, the Cargo Handling industry in China is expected to grow.

    What does the Cargo Handling in China include?

    Independent or relatively independent cargo handling in harbors, airports and train stations and Independent or relatively independent cargo handling with warehouses and freight yards are part of the Cargo Handling industry.

    How competitive is the Cargo Handling industry in China?

    The level of competition is high and increasing in the Cargo Handling industry in China.

    Related Industries

    Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

    Competitors

    • Freight Train Stations in China
    • Harbor & Port Operations for Freight in China
    • Other Support and Auxiliary Air Transport Activities in China
    • Storage & Warehousing in China

    Complementors

    • Airports in China

    International industries

    • Global Cargo Airlines

    View all industries in China

    Methodology

    How are IBISWorld reports created?

    IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

    Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

    IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

    What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

    Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

    Key data sources in China include:

    • National Bureau of Statistics China
    • General Administration of Customs
    • People’s Bank of China

    Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

    These sources include:

    • Industry and trade associations
    • Industry federations or regulators
    • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

    Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

    How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

    IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

    IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

    Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.