In 2025, international freight forwarding has remained remarkably resilient. Despite economic uncertainty, rising costs and ongoing supply chain pressure, forwarders, particularly those operating in air and ocean have continued to grow and adapt.
Across the United States, SME freight forwarders are driving much of the activity. These agile, commercially focused operators are investing in key hires that support sales, operations and trade lane expansion. Meanwhile, in Europe, operators are responding to increased regulatory complexity by hiring compliance professionals, customs brokers and specialists in international operations.
What we are seeing at Altius Talent is a clear trend toward targeted, high-impact recruitment. Gone are the days of bloated hiring strategies and open job ads yielding unqualified applicants. Businesses now want recruiters who understand the forwarding industry, act discreetly and can deliver real candidates quickly and without noise.
Roles in air export, ocean freight, customs compliance and branch-level management are in highest demand. These functions are core to the commercial success of most freight forwarders, and the shortage of experienced professionals means competition remains fierce.
Companies that invest in forward-thinking recruitment strategies, treat hiring as a strategic function and work with specialist partners will continue to outperform. The market may be challenging, but for those with clarity and the right people in place, opportunity remains strong.
This article shows freight forwarders why moving quickly in recruitment secures top talent, protects reputation, and delivers a clear competitive edge.
This article shows why window shopping in freight recruitment damages reputation and how decisive employers win talent by moving fast and closing within five days.
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