Forecast: Coastal Shipping Freight in the US

In 2023, the value of coastal shipping freight in the US stood at 220.47 Billion Tonne Kilometers. This marks a continued year-on-year decrease, which began in 2016, with a notable decline of 2.57% from the previous year. Looking at the most recent two-year period, the values reflect a nearly consistent annual decrease of approximately 2.56%. Over the last five years, the compound annual growth rate (CAGR) has averaged a decline of around 2.75%, demonstrating a persistent downward trend.

From 2024 onwards, the forecast suggests that this downward trend will continue, reflecting a predicted average annual decrease of approximately 2.35%. By 2028, the value is expected to fall to 190.15 Billion Tonne Kilometers, representing an overall decline of about 11.19% from the value in 2023.

Future trends to watch for:

• Potential regulatory changes impacting coastal shipping operations and fuel standards.
• Technological advancements in shipping logistics and fuel efficiency.
• Shifts in import-export dynamics that could influence overall freight volumes.