Product Code: GVR-4-68040-581-6
Pharmaceutical Transportation Services Market Growth & Trends:
The global pharmaceutical transportation services market size is expected to reach USD 124.81 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 7.71% from 2025 to 2030, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The growth of the market is mainly due to increasing demand for temperature sensitive drugs, expansion of pharmaceutical supply chain, and implementation of stringent guideline.
The growing use of biologics, vaccines, and cell and gene therapies has positively impacted the pharmaceutical transportation services market. Unlike conventional small-molecule drugs, biologics are highly sensitive to temperature variations and physical handling, requiring strict cold chain logistics to maintain product integrity. This demand has led to the proliferation of specialized refrigerated vehicles, cold storage warehouses, and packaging solutions that ensure uninterrupted temperature control throughout the shipping process. The rollout of large-scale vaccination programs, including COVID-19 vaccine distribution, demonstrated the critical importance of temperature-controlled transport and accelerated investment in cold chain infrastructure.
Furthermore, the pharmaceutical companies are increasingly outsourcing manufacturing and distribution activities to contract development and manufacturing organizations (CDMOs) and contract logistics partners, further expanding global supply chains. These complex networks span across regions, creating a need for reliable, secure, and timely transportation services that meet both international and local regulatory standards. Drug components may be produced in one country, assembled in another, and distributed across multiple markets, necessitating synchronized logistics planning. As production decentralizes, the reliance on third-party logistics providers (3PLs) with expertise in navigating customs, documentation, and multi-modal transport has increased. Furthermore, emerging markets in Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and Eastern Europe have become important hubs for both manufacturing and consumption, increasing the frequency and volume of international pharmaceutical shipments.
Furthermore, several key competitors in the market, such as DHL, UPS Healthcare, FedEx Express, and Kuehne+Nagel, are actively expanding capabilities through strategic investments, partnerships, and technology adoption to gain market share. The rising demand for cold chain logistics has led these players to enhance their infrastructure and service offerings. For instance, in April 2025, DHL invested USD 2.27 billion in health logistics to strengthen its life sciences and healthcare logistics, aligning with its "Strategy 2030." Half of the investment targets the U.S., with the rest split between Asia Pacific and EMEA, expanding global infrastructure. This move reinforces DHL's role as a key competitor in providing integrated, patient-focused pharmaceutical transportation solutions.
Pharmaceutical Transportation Services Market Report Highlights:
- Based on type, the biopharmaceuticals segment dominated the market in 2024. The growth of this segment is largely attributed to the rising demand for efficient, secure, and compliant transportation solutions capable of handling biologics, gene therapies, and personalized medications.
- Based on the services, the air freight segment dominated the market in 2024. The growth of this segment is largely attributed to the increasing demand for rapid delivery of high-value, time-sensitive, and temperature-controlled pharmaceutical products.
- Based on the supply chain, the non-cold chain logistics segment dominated the market in 2024. The segment's growth is due to the rising demand for medical devices, over the counter (OTC) drugs, and general pharmaceutical distribution.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1. Methodology and Scope
- 1.1. Market Segmentation & Scope
- 1.1.1. Regional Scope
- 1.1.2. Estimates and Forecast Timeline
- 1.2. Market Definitions
- 1.3. Research Methodology
- 1.3.1. Information Procurement
- 1.3.2. Purchased Database
- 1.3.3. GVR's Internal Database
- 1.3.4. Secondary Sources
- 1.3.5. Primary Research
- 1.4. Information or Data Analysis
- 1.4.1. Information Analysis
- 1.4.2. Market Formulation & Data Visualization
- 1.4.3. Data Validation & Publishing
- 1.5. Model Details
- 1.5.1. Commodity Flow Analysis (Model 1)
- 1.5.2. Top Down Market Estimation (Model 2)
- 1.5.3. Value-Chain-Based Sizing & Forecasting (Model 3)
- 1.5.4. Multivariate Analysis (Model 4)
- 1.6. List of Secondary Sources
- 1.7. List of Abbreviations
- 1.8. Objectives
Chapter 2. Executive Summary
- 2.1. Market Outlook
- 2.2. Segment Snapshot
- 2.3. Competitive Insights Landscape
Chapter 3. Pharmaceutical Transportation Services Market Variables, Trends & Scope
- 3.1. Market Lineage Outlook
- 3.1.1. Parent market outlook
- 3.1.2. Related/ancillary market outlook.
- 3.2. Market Dynamics
- 3.2.1. Market Driver Analysis
- 3.2.1.1. Rising Demand for Biopharmaceuticals and Specialty Drugs
- 3.2.1.2. Expansion of Global Pharmaceutical Supply Chain
- 3.2.1.3. Stringent Regulatory Requirements and Quality Assurance Standards
- 3.2.2. Market Restraint Analysis
- 3.2.2.1. High Cost of Cold Chain Infrastructure and Maintenance
- 3.2.2.2. Complex Regulatory and Customs Compliance Across Regions
- 3.3. Technology Landscape
- 3.4. Pricing Model Analysis
- 3.5. Industry Market Analysis Tools
- 3.5.1. Porter's Five Forces Analysis
- 3.5.2. PESTEL Analysis
- 3.5.3. COVID-19 Impact Analysis
Chapter 4. Pharmaceutical Transportation Services Market: Type Estimates & Trend Analysis
- 4.1. Segment Dashboard
- 4.2. Global Pharmaceutical Transportation Services Market Type Movement Analysis
- 4.3. Global Pharmaceutical Transportation Services Market Size & Trend Analysis, by Type, 2018 to 2030 (USD Million)
- 4.4. Biopharmaceuticals
- 4.4.1. Biopharmaceuticals market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 4.4.2. Vaccines
- 4.4.2.1. Vaccines market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 4.4.3. Biosimilars
- 4.4.3.1. Biosimilars market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 4.4.4. Plasma Derived Products
- 4.4.4.1. Plasma Derived Products market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 4.4.5. Others
- 4.4.5.1. Others market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 4.5. Pharmaceuticals
- 4.5.1. Pharmaceuticals market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
Chapter 5. Pharmaceutical Transportation Services Market: Services Estimates & Trend Analysis
- 5.1. Segment Dashboard
- 5.2. Global Pharmaceutical Transportation Services Market Services Movement Analysis
- 5.3. Global Pharmaceutical Transportation Services Market Size & Trend Analysis, by Services, 2018 to 2030 (USD Million)
- 5.4. Air Freight
- 5.4.1. Air Freight market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 5.5. Sea Freight
- 5.5.1. Sea Freight market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 5.6. Overland
- 5.6.1. Overland market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
Chapter 6. Pharmaceutical Transportation Services Market: Supply Chain Estimates & Trend Analysis
- 6.1. Segment Dashboard
- 6.2. Global Pharmaceutical Transportation Services Market Supply Chain Movement Analysis
- 6.3. Global Pharmaceutical Transportation Services Market Size & Trend Analysis, by Supply Chain, 2018 to 2030 (USD Million)
- 6.4. Cold Chain Logistics
- 6.4.1. Cold Chain Logistics market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 6.5. Non-cold Chain Logistics
- 6.5.1. Non-cold Chain Logistics market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
Chapter 7. Pharmaceutical Transportation Services Market: Regional Estimates & Trend Analysis
- 7.1. Regional Market Share Analysis, 2024 & 2030
- 7.2. Regional Market Dashboard
- 7.3. Market Size & Forecasts Trend Analysis, 2018 to 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.4. North America
- 7.4.1. North America Market Estimates and Forecasts 2018 to 2030, (USD Million)
- 7.4.2. U.S.
- 7.4.2.1. Key country dynamics
- 7.4.2.2. Competitive scenario
- 7.4.2.3. Regulatory scenario
- 7.4.2.4. U.S. market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.4.3. Canada
- 7.4.3.1. Key country dynamics
- 7.4.3.2. Competitive scenario
- 7.4.3.3. Regulatory scenario
- 7.4.3.4. Canada market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.4.4. Mexico
- 7.4.4.1. Key country dynamics
- 7.4.4.2. Competitive scenario
- 7.4.4.3. Regulatory scenario
- 7.4.4.4. Mexico market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.5. Europe
- 7.5.1. Europe Market Estimates and Forecasts 2018 to 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.5.2. UK
- 7.5.2.1. Key country dynamics
- 7.5.2.2. Competitive scenario
- 7.5.2.3. Regulatory scenario
- 7.5.2.4. UK market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.5.3. Germany
- 7.5.3.1. Key country dynamics
- 7.5.3.2. Competitive scenario
- 7.5.3.3. Regulatory scenario
- 7.5.3.4. Germany market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.5.4. France
- 7.5.4.1. Key country dynamics
- 7.5.4.2. Competitive scenario
- 7.5.4.3. Regulatory scenario
- 7.5.4.4. France market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.5.5. Italy
- 7.5.5.1. Key country dynamics
- 7.5.5.2. Competitive scenario
- 7.5.5.3. Regulatory scenario
- 7.5.5.4. Italy market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.5.6. Spain
- 7.5.6.1. Key country dynamics
- 7.5.6.2. Competitive scenario
- 7.5.6.3. Regulatory scenario
- 7.5.6.4. Spain market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.5.7. Denmark
- 7.5.7.1. Key country dynamics
- 7.5.7.2. Competitive scenario
- 7.5.7.3. Regulatory scenario
- 7.5.7.4. Denmark market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.5.8. Norway
- 7.5.8.1. Key country dynamics
- 7.5.8.2. Competitive scenario
- 7.5.8.3. Regulatory scenario
- 7.5.8.4. Norway market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.5.9. Sweden
- 7.5.9.1. Key country dynamics
- 7.5.9.2. Competitive scenario
- 7.5.9.3. Regulatory scenario
- 7.5.9.4. Sweden market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.6. Asia Pacific
- 7.6.1. Asia Pacific Market Estimates and Forecasts 2018 to 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.6.2. Japan
- 7.6.2.1. Key country dynamics
- 7.6.2.2. Competitive scenario
- 7.6.2.3. Regulatory scenario
- 7.6.2.4. Japan market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.6.3. China
- 7.6.3.1. Key country dynamics
- 7.6.3.2. Competitive scenario
- 7.6.3.3. Regulatory scenario
- 7.6.3.4. China market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.6.4. India
- 7.6.4.1. Key country dynamics
- 7.6.4.2. Competitive scenario
- 7.6.4.3. Regulatory scenario
- 7.6.4.4. India market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.6.5. Australia
- 7.6.5.1. Key country dynamics
- 7.6.5.2. Competitive scenario
- 7.6.5.3. Regulatory scenario
- 7.6.5.4. Australia market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.6.6. South Korea
- 7.6.6.1. Key country dynamics
- 7.6.6.2. Competitive scenario
- 7.6.6.3. Regulatory scenario
- 7.6.6.4. South Korea market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.6.7. Thailand
- 7.6.7.1. Key country dynamics
- 7.6.7.2. Competitive scenario
- 7.6.7.3. Regulatory scenario
- 7.6.7.4. Thailand market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.7. Latin America
- 7.7.1. Latin America Market Estimates and Forecasts 2018 to 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.7.2. Brazil
- 7.7.2.1. Key country dynamics
- 7.7.2.2. Competitive scenario
- 7.7.2.3. Regulatory scenario
- 7.7.2.4. Brazil market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.7.3. Argentina
- 7.7.3.1. Key country dynamics
- 7.7.3.2. Competitive scenario
- 7.7.3.3. Regulatory scenario
- 7.7.3.4. Argentina market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.8. MEA
- 7.8.1. MEA Market Estimates and Forecasts 2018 to 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.8.2. South Africa
- 7.8.2.1. Key country dynamics
- 7.8.2.2. Competitive scenario
- 7.8.2.3. Regulatory scenario
- 7.8.2.4. South Africa market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.8.3. Saudi Arabia
- 7.8.3.1. Key country dynamics
- 7.8.3.2. Competitive scenario
- 7.8.3.3. Regulatory scenario
- 7.8.3.4. Saudi Arabia market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.8.4. UAE
- 7.8.4.1. Key country dynamics
- 7.8.4.2. Competitive scenario
- 7.8.4.3. Regulatory scenario
- 7.8.4.4. UAE market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
- 7.8.5. Kuwait
- 7.8.5.1. Key country dynamics
- 7.8.5.2. Competitive scenario
- 7.8.5.3. Regulatory scenario
- 7.8.5.4. Israel market estimates and forecasts, 2018 - 2030 (USD Million)
Chapter 8. Competitive Landscape
- 8.1. Competition Categorization
- 8.2. Company Market Share/Assessment Analysis, 2024
- 8.3. Company Profiles
- 8.3.1. CEVA Logistics
- 8.3.1.1. Company overview
- 8.3.1.2. Financial performance
- 8.3.1.3. Service benchmarking
- 8.3.1.4. Strategic initiatives
- 8.3.2. Cencora Corporation (ICS)
- 8.3.2.1. Company overview
- 8.3.2.2. Financial performance
- 8.3.2.3. Service benchmarking
- 8.3.2.4. Strategic initiatives
- 8.3.3. DB SCHENKER
- 8.3.3.1. Company overview
- 8.3.3.2. Financial performance
- 8.3.3.3. Service benchmarking
- 8.3.3.4. Strategic initiatives
- 8.3.4. Kuehne+Nagel
- 8.3.4.1. Company overview
- 8.3.4.2. Financial performance
- 8.3.4.3. Service benchmarking
- 8.3.4.4. Strategic initiatives
- 8.3.5. Kerry Logistics Network Limited
- 8.3.5.1. Company overview
- 8.3.5.2. Financial performance
- 8.3.5.3. Service benchmarking
- 8.3.5.4. Strategic initiatives
- 8.3.6. Cardinal Health
- 8.3.6.1. Company overview
- 8.3.6.2. Financial performance
- 8.3.6.3. Service benchmarking
- 8.3.6.4. Strategic initiatives
- 8.3.7. FedEx
- 8.3.7.1. Company overview
- 8.3.7.2. Financial performance
- 8.3.7.3. Service benchmarking
- 8.3.7.4. Strategic initiatives
- 8.3.8. McKesson Corporation
- 8.3.8.1. Company overview
- 8.3.8.2. Financial performance
- 8.3.8.3. Service benchmarking
- 8.3.8.4. Strategic initiatives
- 8.3.9. DHL
- 8.3.9.1. Company overview
- 8.3.9.2. Financial performance
- 8.3.9.3. Service benchmarking
- 8.3.9.4. Strategic initiatives
- 8.3.10. EVERSANA
- 8.3.10.1. Company overview
- 8.3.10.2. Financial performance
- 8.3.10.3. Service benchmarking
- 8.3.10.4. Strategic initiatives
- 8.3.11. Thermo Fisher Scientific
- 8.3.11.1. Company overview
- 8.3.11.2. Financial performance
- 8.3.11.3. Service benchmarking
- 8.3.11.4. Strategic initiatives
- 8.3.12. Knipper Health
- 8.3.12.1. Company overview
- 8.3.12.2. Financial performance
- 8.3.12.3. Service benchmarking
- 8.3.12.4. Strategic initiatives