2020 Essential Revenue and Operating Information for the 50 Largest Global Freight Carriers
Up Front
Freight carriers across the world experienced dramatic market shifts and volume swings in 2020.
The new trade deal between U.S., Mexico and Canada provides market certainty for North American trade.
The world’s largest freight carriers have navigated unprecedented circumstances due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Rankings
 

Great Lakes

Port Name City Type of Freight TEUs Volume of Freight Tonnage
Ashtabula HarborAshtabula, Ohiodry bulkNA4,254,537
Buffington HarborBuffington, Ind.NANA1,634,865
Drummond Island PortDrummond Island, Mich.NANA1,260,854
Fairport Harbor PointFairport Harbor, OhioNANA1,957,879
Indiana HarborEast Chicago, Ind.dry bulk, liquid bulk, heavy liftNA11,910,541
Port ClintonMarblehead, OhioNANA1,889,279
Port DolomiteClark Township, Mich.NANA2,766,412
Port InlandGulliver, Mich.NANA4,327,245
Port of AlpenaAlpena, Mich.NANA2,237,836
Port of CalciteCalcite, Mich.special project cargoNA7,759,361
Port of ChicagoChicagodry bulk, liquid bulkNA16,866,792
Port of ClevelandClevelandcontainer, dry bulk, liquid bulk, heavy lift, special project cargoNA11,778,910
Port of ConneautConneaut, OhioNANA3,487,058
Port of DetroitDetroitdry bulk, liquid bulk, passengerNA14,837,762
Port of Duluth-SuperiorDuluth, Minn., and Superior, Wis.break bulk, dry bulk, liquid bulk, heavy lift, passengerNA35,102,200
Port of GaryGary, Ind.NANA8,600,449
Port of Grand HavenGrand Haven, Mich.NANA1,321,003
Port of Green BayGreen Bay, Wis.dry bulk, liquid bulkNA2,156,416
Port of HamiltonHamilton, Ontariocontainer, break bulk, dry bulk, liquid bulk, special project cargoNA11,628,319
Port of Indiana-Burns HarborPortage, Ind.container, dry bulk, liquid bulk, heavy liftNA8,496,097
Port of MilwaukeeMilwaukeedry bulkNA2,301,557
Port of MonroeMonroe, Mich.NANA1,195,210
Port of MontrealMontrealcontainer, break bulk, dry bulk, liquid bulk, passengerNA38,041,530
Port of SanduskySandusky, OhioNANA2,247,534
Port of Silver BaySilver Bay, Minn.NANA6,248,656
Port of St. ClairSt. Clair, Mich.NANA6,192,710
Port of StoneportStoneport, Mich.NANA4,141,455
Port of ToledoToledo, OhioNANA8,899,825
Port of TorontoTorontocontainer, break bulk, dry bulk, liquid bulk, passengerNA2,172,750
Presque Isle HarborPresque Isle, Mich.NANA7,473,094
Two HarborsTwo Harbors, Minn.dry bulkNA17,208,207
Extras
Seaports have experienced huge volume swings in 2020.
If your company appears in the 2020 list, you have a few ways to announce it. Visit our logo library to get web- and print-ready graphics.
North America’s busiest cargo airports.
Learn more about Transport Topics’ Top 50 Global Freight Carriers publication.
Find out where the Top 50 Global Freight Carriers are based.
FedEx and UPS face their biggest test yet amid e-commerce growth and early holiday shopping.
Global Freight News
Government, Business, Fuel, Logistics, Global Freight, Top 50

A Clouded Outlook for Global Freight

Describing global supply chains as “volatile” for the last two years is an understatement. Glimmers of hope are emerging, but anxiety grows over whether freight volumes can maintain traction amid high inflation and economic uncertainty.

Katie Pyzyk | Special to Transport Topics
November 4, 2022
Business, Logistics, Global Freight

German Government Settles Internal Dispute Over Port Stake Sale to China

The German government is close to reaching a compromise over a disputed sale of a stake in a Hamburg container terminal to China’s state-owned shipping conglomerate Cosco Shipping Holdings Co.

October 25, 2022
Business, Equipment, Global Freight, TCA

Alabama Port Study Highlights Growth, Economic Impact

The Alabama State Port Authority has released a new study showing significant growth in jobs, tax revenue and general economic impact since 2019, underscoring the port’s place as a major economic driver in the state.

Lawrence Specker | Alabama Media Group
October 24, 2022
Business, Technology, Global Freight

CSX Q3 Profit Up 15% as Railroad Hauls 2% More Freight

CSX Corp. delivered 15% more profit in the third quarter as it handled 2% more freight and worked to eliminate the delays shippers have been complaining about for months.

Josh Funk | Associated Press
October 21, 2022
Business, Equipment, Global Freight, TCA

UPS Aircraft Mechanics Ratify Labor Contract

Aircraft mechanics at UPS Inc. voted to ratify a labor contract extension that will give them a 3.3% hike in pay annually for three years, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters union announced Oct. 18.

Kelly Yamanouchi | The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
October 19, 2022
Business, Safety, Global Freight, TCA

California Ports Reveal Surge in Harmful Emissions in 2021

California port officials announced an unprecedented increase in harmful emissions last year. Although the increase in pollution was substantial, officials said emissions are still much lower than levels in the mid-2000s.

Tony Briscoe | Chicago Tribune
October 18, 2022
Government, Technology, Logistics, Global Freight, TCA

Truckers Win Over BNSF in Case Regarding Illinois Biometrics Law

In what is believed to be the first jury verdict related to Illinois’ strict biometrics privacy law, a $228 million judgment has been entered against BNSF Railway in a class-action lawsuit over the railroad’s collection of fingerprint data.

Sarah Freishtat | Chicago Tribune
October 17, 2022
Business, Technology, Equipment, Fuel, Logistics, Global Freight

Maersk Expands Green Fleet With $1 Billion Order for Vessels

A.P. Moller-Maersk A/S, one of the world’s largest oil consumers, ordered six large containerships that can sail on green methanol as part of the transport giant’s plan to become carbon neutral.

Christian Wienberg | Bloomberg News
October 5, 2022
Business, Logistics, Global Freight

MSC Launches Air Cargo Business

Mediterranean Shipping Co., the world’s largest container line, will expand into air cargo using four leased Boeing Co. wide-body freighters after missing out in a bid for Italy’s flag-carrier airline.

Bryce Baschuk | Bloomberg News
September 27, 2022
Business, Logistics, Global Freight

Shipping Container Lines Set to Smash Year-Old Profit Record

The world’s biggest container lines are on course to post profits in 2022 that will top last year’s record by 73%, according to a new forecast, buoyed by logistics and labor strains that are squeezing capacity amid sustained U.S. demand for imports.

Brendan Murray | Bloomberg News
August 9, 2022
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