For importers, exporters, wholesalers, and FMCG distributors, choosing the right logistics partner can be the difference between a smooth supply chain and constant delay, loss, and uncertainty.

Understanding the top 10 logistics companies in world helps you benchmark service levels and design a smarter logistics strategy — especially if you trade into or out of African markets, where execution on the ground matters as much as global reach.

Wigmore Trading is not one of these global giants by revenue, but it does help businesses plug into them effectively, while handling sourcing, consolidation, customs, and regional distribution across African markets.

How this “top 10” list is defined

Different rankings use slightly different criteria. For this article, the list is based on widely referenced industry sources that rank global logistics providers by:

• Logistics revenue and freight forwarding scale

• Global footprint and infrastructure coverage

• Modal coverage (air, ocean, road, contract logistics, e-commerce)

• Technology, warehousing capability, and reliability

A commonly accepted top 10 logistics companies in world list includes:

1. Amazon

2. DHL Supply Chain & Global Forwarding

3. Kuehne + Nagel

4. DSV

5. DB Schenker

6. CEVA Logistics

7. Nippon Express

8. C.H. Robinson

9. Maersk Logistics

10. Sinotrans

Let’s explore what each does best — and how a regional partner like Wigmore Trading can help you use them effectively.

1. Amazon

Amazon has evolved from an online retailer into one of the world’s largest logistics operators, with large-scale fulfillment networks, last-mile delivery fleets, and air cargo capacity.

Best for:

• E-commerce fulfillment and direct-to-consumer shipments

• High-volume, high-frequency small parcel logistics

• Markets where Amazon already has strong delivery infrastructure

Where Wigmore Trading fits:
If you sell into African markets but rely on global fulfillment systems for upstream supply, Wigmore Trading can help bridge the last-mile gap — receiving consolidated shipments, managing customs clearance, and distributing to retailers or B2B customers across Nigeria and wider Africa.

2. DHL Supply Chain & Global Forwarding

DHL is widely recognized as one of the top global logistics providers. It offers express parcel delivery, freight forwarding, contract logistics, and sector-specific solutions for industries such as healthcare and automotive.

Best for:

• Fast international deliveries (especially via express services)

• Multi-modal global freight forwarding

• End-to-end warehousing and contract logistics

How Wigmore Trading adds value:
Wigmore Trading can coordinate DHL inbound shipments into African ports and airports, manage customs and compliance, and deliver goods into local distribution channels efficiently.

Wigmore Trading can also help you choose the most cost-effective DHL service level depending on urgency and shipment volume.

3. Kuehne + Nagel

Kuehne + Nagel is one of the world’s largest freight forwarders and is especially strong in ocean freight and end-to-end logistics solutions.

Best for:

• Large ocean freight programs (FCL and LCL shipping)

• Industrial and project cargo

• Global supply chain visibility and stability

With Wigmore Trading:
Businesses can use Kuehne + Nagel for global freight movement and rely on Wigmore Trading for consolidation, quality checks, documentation support, and distribution into African markets.

4. DSV

DSV is a global logistics provider known for strong freight forwarding capabilities across air, sea, and road transport.

Best for:

• Multi-country shipping programs and flexible routing

• Cross-border transport and trade optimization

• Blended air-sea solutions balancing speed and cost

How Wigmore Trading helps:
Wigmore Trading supports companies shipping into Africa by coordinating local logistics, managing documentation, and ensuring goods move smoothly from port to final destination.

5. DB Schenker

DB Schenker is a major logistics brand with strong networks in European land transport and broad freight forwarding capabilities globally.

Best for:

• Cross-border European trucking and road freight

• Integrated freight forwarding services

• Automotive and industrial supply chains requiring scheduling precision

Where Wigmore Trading fits in:
If you manufacture or source in Europe and ship to African markets, Wigmore Trading can handle regional import logistics, customs processes, and distribution to local buyers or wholesalers.

6. CEVA Logistics

CEVA is a global 3PL known for contract logistics, freight management, and solutions for retail, consumer goods, and industrial sectors.

Best for:

• Integrated warehousing and freight forwarding

• Consumer goods and retail logistics programs

• Businesses needing global contract logistics support

With Wigmore Trading:
Wigmore Trading helps ensure that goods entering African markets meet regulatory requirements, arrive correctly documented, and are delivered safely into trade networks.

7. Nippon Express (NX Group)

Nippon Express is one of Asia’s largest logistics companies, with strong reach across Asia-Europe and Asia-Americas routes, plus expanding global coverage.

Best for:

• Asian manufacturing supply chains

• High-value and time-sensitive goods

• Cross-border logistics across Asia

Practical use case with Wigmore Trading:
For companies exporting from Asia into Africa, Wigmore Trading supports customs clearance, compliance documentation, and local distribution to wholesalers, retailers, and business buyers.

8. C.H. Robinson

C.H. Robinson is a major logistics provider and freight broker, with strong North American freight networks and expanding global forwarding services.

Best for:

• North American exporters

• Outsourced freight management and procurement

• Logistics optimization and routing efficiency

With Wigmore Trading:
Wigmore Trading can manage African-market logistics after international delivery, ensuring products clear customs quickly and reach final customers with reduced delays.

9. Maersk Logistics

Maersk has expanded beyond container shipping into integrated logistics. It offers ocean freight, air freight, warehousing, and landside transport services.

Best for:

• Large ocean freight programs

• End-to-end containerized shipping

• Shippers who want to simplify shipping and logistics under one provider

Where Wigmore Trading adds value:
Wigmore Trading helps align Maersk’s shipping schedules with African port realities, supports clearance processes, and ensures smooth distribution to regional customers and markets.

10. Sinotrans

Sinotrans is one of China’s largest logistics and freight forwarding groups, with strong China–Africa and China–global trade lane expertise.

Best for:

• Importers sourcing from China

• Factory consolidation and export handling

• High-volume FCL and LCL ocean freight programs

Combined with Wigmore Trading:
Wigmore Trading supports the African import side by ensuring documentation is correct, customs is handled properly, and goods are delivered efficiently across local and regional distribution routes.

How African and emerging-market businesses can leverage these giants

Signing a contract with a global provider doesn’t always guarantee smooth deliveries — especially in markets where customs, infrastructure, and compliance requirements are complex.

A more reliable approach is:

1) Use global giants for long-haul capacity and visibility

Choose one to three of the top logistics providers for your major trade lanes. Their scale improves reliability and helps secure capacity during peak periods.

2) Use Wigmore Trading for African-market execution

Wigmore Trading supports Africa-focused businesses by helping with:

• Sourcing and procurement

• Freight coordination and consolidation

• Import documentation and regulatory compliance

• Customs clearance support

• Regional distribution across Nigeria and Africa

3) Build a multi-carrier strategy

Instead of depending on one logistics provider for everything, combine multiple providers based on trade lane strengths — with Wigmore Trading managing the full supply chain execution where African operations require experience and local precision.

4) Prioritize reliability, not just low cost

Cheaper options can lead to demurrage, delays, and lost inventory. Strong logistics planning protects margins, improves customer service, and increases long-term business stability.

How Wigmore Trading fits into your global logistics strategy

Wigmore Trading is not trying to replace DHL, Maersk, or DSV. Instead, it acts as a reliable partner for companies trading into Africa by solving the local delivery and import challenges that global providers do not always manage end-to-end.

Wigmore Trading can help you:

• Source products and consolidate shipments

• Select the right global logistics partner for each trade route

• Ensure documentation and compliance are handled correctly

• Clear and distribute goods across African markets efficiently

If your supply chain touches Africa — as a buyer, seller, or distributor — the combination of global logistics capacity and regional expertise delivers the best results.

Wigmore Trading can help. Get in touch with our team to learn more about improving your global logistics performance.