Spain Logistics and Warehousing Market Outlook to 2029

The report titled “Spain Logistics and Warehousing Market Outlook to 2029 – By Market Structure, By Logistics Model (First Party, Second Party, Third Party), By Mode of Transport, By End-User Industry, By Warehousing Type, and By Region” provides a comprehensive analysis of the logistics and warehousing industry in Spain. The report covers an overview and genesis of the industry, overall market size in terms of revenue, segmentation by key parameters; trends and developments, regulatory environment, customer behavior, major challenges, and comparative landscape including competition scenario, cross comparison, opportunities and constraints, and company profiling of key players in the logistics and warehousing ecosystem. The report concludes with future market projections based on revenue, sector trends, regional distribution, cause-and-effect relationships, and success case studies highlighting growth enablers and risks.

Spain Logistics and Warehousing Market Overview and Size

The Spain logistics and warehousing market reached a value of EUR 82 Billion in 2023, driven by rising e-commerce volumes, modernization of infrastructure, and increased demand from industries such as automotive, retail, and pharmaceuticals. The market features both domestic and international logistics players, including SEUR, DHL, XPO Logistics, Correos Express, and DB Schenker, which offer integrated transport and storage solutions across the country.

Madrid and Catalonia are key logistics hubs due to their strategic connectivity, presence of industrial corridors, and robust road and rail networks. In 2023, SEUR expanded its urban delivery infrastructure in Madrid and Barcelona to meet increasing demand from last-mile e-commerce logistics. Additionally, Spain’s role as a gateway to Europe and Latin America further strengthens its global logistics potential.

What Factors are Leading to the Growth of Spain Logistics and Warehousing Market

• E-Commerce Boom: Online shopping in Spain surged post-pandemic, with over 72% of internet users making purchases online in 2023. This exponential growth in e-commerce is fueling demand for faster, more efficient logistics and larger warehousing spaces closer to urban centers.

• Infrastructure Development: Government-backed investments in logistics corridors and multimodal transport infrastructure (road, rail, and ports) have improved overall network efficiency. The Mediterranean Corridor and Atlantic Corridor have enhanced cross-border trade capacity, making Spain a regional logistics hub.

• Rising 3PL Demand: The rising complexity of supply chains has encouraged businesses to outsource to third-party logistics providers (3PL). In 2023, 3PL services accounted for nearly 45% of total logistics operations in Spain, as companies seek scalable, flexible solutions for storage and distribution.

Which Industry Challenges Have Impacted the Growth of the Spain Logistics and Warehousing Market

• High Operating Costs: Rising costs related to fuel, labor, and utilities have posed a significant challenge for logistics providers in Spain. In 2023, logistics companies reported an average increase of 12% in operational expenses, primarily due to energy inflation and driver wage hikes. This has directly affected profitability margins, particularly for small and medium-sized logistics firms.

• Labor Shortages: Spain faces a chronic shortage of skilled logistics and warehousing personnel, especially in urban and port cities. A 2023 industry report highlighted that over 30% of logistics companies had difficulty filling warehouse and driver roles, leading to delays in operations and increased reliance on temporary staffing, which compromises service quality.

• Urban Delivery Bottlenecks: Last-mile logistics operations in densely populated cities like Madrid and Barcelona are challenged by traffic congestion, restricted delivery windows, and limited loading zones. These issues contribute to an estimated 18% delay rate in urban deliveries, impacting customer satisfaction and increasing operational inefficiencies.

What are the Regulations and Initiatives Which Have Governed the Market

• EU Logistics and Sustainability Directives: Spain, as part of the EU, adheres to regulations aimed at decarbonizing the transport sector. This includes compliance with the EU Mobility Package, mandating rest periods, cabotage rules, and digital tachograph implementation. In 2023, over 80% of Spanish logistics companies were compliant, but smaller players are still adjusting to digital mandates.

• Urban Freight Distribution Plans (PMUS): Local governments in Spain have implemented Sustainable Urban Mobility Plans (Planes de Movilidad Urbana Sostenible – PMUS), which include time-restricted delivery zones, low-emission areas, and dedicated logistics hubs. In Madrid, these measures contributed to a 15% reduction in logistics-related urban emissions in 2023.

• Subsidies for Fleet Modernization: The Spanish government offers financial aid under schemes like MOVES III, aimed at supporting the electrification of commercial fleets. In 2023, over EUR 120 million was disbursed to logistics companies upgrading to electric or hybrid vehicles, significantly boosting the adoption of cleaner transport alternatives.

Spain Logistics and Warehousing Market Segmentation

• By Market Structure: The Spanish logistics market is dominated by Third-Party Logistics (3PL) providers, as businesses increasingly outsource logistics functions to focus on core operations. These 3PL firms offer scalable solutions, multimodal transportation, and value-added services such as inventory management and returns processing. On the other hand, First-Party (1PL) and Second-Party Logistics (2PL) continue to exist primarily within large manufacturing firms managing their own transportation and storage needs, especially in the automotive and industrial sectors.

• By Mode of Transport: Road transport remains the dominant mode in Spain, accounting for a majority share due to the country’s extensive highway infrastructure and its suitability for last-mile delivery. Rail transport is gaining momentum, especially for long-distance freight within the EU under green logistics goals. Maritime logistics plays a critical role in import/export operations, with ports like Valencia, Algeciras, and Barcelona acting as major gateways. Air freight, although limited in volume, supports high-value, time-sensitive shipments in industries such as pharma and electronics.

• By End-User Industry: The e-commerce and retail sectors are the largest contributors to logistics demand in Spain, driven by the growing consumer preference for online shopping. The automotive sector also contributes significantly due to Spain’s role as a leading car manufacturing hub in Europe. Pharmaceuticals and food & beverage require temperature-controlled logistics and specialized warehousing, which is driving investments in cold chain infrastructure.

Competitive Landscape in Spain Logistics and Warehousing Market

The Spain logistics and warehousing market is moderately consolidated, with major global and regional players operating across transport, storage, and supply chain management. The rise of e-commerce and digital logistics has attracted newer entrants, while traditional players like SEUR, Correos Express, DHL, DB Schenker, XPO Logistics, and Logista continue to dominate with expansive infrastructure and tailored B2B services.

Some of the recent competitor trends and key information about competitors include:

• SEUR: A leading express delivery and logistics provider in Spain, SEUR handled over 130 million parcels in 2023, driven by growth in B2C e-commerce logistics. The company has heavily invested in temperature-controlled last-mile delivery to support pharmaceutical and grocery segments.

• Correos Express: The parcel delivery arm of Spain’s national postal service, Correos Express expanded its fleet by 15% in 2023 to meet increasing domestic shipment volumes. Its “Same Day Delivery” service gained strong traction in metropolitan areas like Madrid and Valencia.

• DHL Spain: A key player in international and domestic logistics, DHL has launched green warehousing solutions in Spain, integrating solar panels and automated inventory systems. In 2023, DHL Spain saw a 10% YoY growth in its B2B logistics segment.

• DB Schenker Spain: Focused on multimodal logistics and contract warehousing, DB Schenker operates over 300,000 sqm of warehouse space across Spain. The company has adopted AI-powered load optimization tools, improving fulfillment efficiency by 12% in 2023.

• XPO Logistics Spain: Specializing in freight and supply chain services, XPO saw strong demand in its palletized less-than-truckload (LTL) network, particularly from retail and fashion sectors. In 2023, XPO added two new cross-docking facilities to strengthen regional coverage.

• Logista: A major player in long-distance and controlled temperature logistics, Logista reported €1.2 billion in logistics revenue in 2023. The company services the pharmaceutical, tobacco, and convenience goods sectors, with a robust last-mile delivery network and automated warehousing systems.

What Lies Ahead for Spain Logistics and Warehousing Market?

The Spain logistics and warehousing market is expected to witness consistent growth through 2029, supported by increasing trade activity, the rapid rise of e-commerce, government infrastructure investments, and an expanding emphasis on sustainable and tech-enabled supply chains. The sector is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% during the forecast period.

• Rise of Smart Warehousing: The adoption of smart warehouse technologies—such as IoT sensors, warehouse management systems (WMS), and robotics—is expected to rise significantly. These innovations will improve inventory accuracy, reduce operational costs, and support real-time decision-making, leading to more efficient supply chains.

• Green Logistics Initiatives: With the European Union’s Green Deal and Spain's national carbon reduction targets, logistics players are expected to further invest in electric fleets, low-emission warehousing, and carbon-neutral operations. This shift will not only meet regulatory requirements but also appeal to sustainability-conscious clients.

• Expansion of Cold Chain Logistics: Growth in the pharmaceutical, food, and perishable goods sectors will drive demand for temperature-controlled logistics. Spain's role in vaccine distribution and food exports will continue to boost investment in refrigerated storage and transport, especially in regions like Valencia and Andalusia.

• Strengthening of Regional Hubs: Logistics hubs in Zaragoza, Seville, and Barcelona are projected to grow as key regional distribution centers. Improved rail-road-port connectivity and strategic public-private partnerships are expected to reduce bottlenecks and facilitate faster goods movement across the Iberian Peninsula and into the broader EU market.

Spain Logistics and Warehousing Market Segmentation

• By Market Structure:

  • First-Party Logistics (1PL)

  • Second-Party Logistics (2PL)

  • Third-Party Logistics (3PL)

  • Fourth-Party Logistics (4PL)

  • Organized Sector

  • Unorganized Sector

  • Public Sector Logistics (Correos, ADIF)

  • Private Sector Logistics

• By Logistics Model:

  • Contract Logistics

  • Freight Forwarding

  • Express Delivery

  • Last-Mile Delivery

  • Cold Chain Logistics

  • Reverse Logistics

• By Mode of Transport:

  • Road Transport

  • Rail Freight

  • Maritime Transport

  • Air Cargo

  • Multimodal Logistics

• By End-User Industry:

  • E-commerce and Retail

  • Automotive

  • Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare

  • Food and Beverage

  • Chemicals and Industrials

  • Fashion and Lifestyle

  • Technology and Electronics

• By Warehousing Type:

  • General-Purpose Warehouses

  • Cold Storage Warehouses

  • Bonded Warehouses

  • Fulfillment Centers

  • Automated Warehouses

  • Urban Micro-Fulfillment Centers

• By Region:

  • Madrid

  • Catalonia

  • Andalusia

  • Valencia

  • Basque Country

  • Aragon

  • Galicia

  • Castile and León

Players Mentioned in the Report:

• SEUR

• Correos Express

• DHL Spain

• DB Schenker Spain

• XPO Logistics Spain

• Logista

• Grupo Carreras

• Transcoma Logistics

• Azkar Dachser

• Kuehne + Nagel Spain

Key Target Audience:

• 3PL and Freight Forwarding Companies

• E-commerce Retailers and Fulfillment Centers

• Cold Chain Logistics Providers

• Real Estate Developers (Industrial & Warehousing)

• Regulatory Bodies (e.g., Ministry of Transport, ADIF, Ports of Spain)

• Technology Providers in Supply Chain Management

• Research and Consulting Firms

Time Period:

• Historical Period: 2018–2023

• Base Year: 2024

• Forecast Period: 2024–2029