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  <xs:element id="fwrd_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentOperatingLeaseLiabilities" abstract="false" name="BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentOperatingLeaseLiabilities" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
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  <xs:element id="fwrd_BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentOperatingLiabilities" abstract="false" name="BusinessCombinationProvisionalInformationInitialAccountingIncompleteAdjustmentOperatingLiabilities" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
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  <xs:element id="fwrd_TermLoanBFacilityMember" abstract="true" name="TermLoanBFacilityMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_FederalFundsOvernightRateMember" abstract="true" name="FederalFundsOvernightRateMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_OneMonthSecuredOvernightFinancingRateSOFRMember" abstract="true" name="OneMonthSecuredOvernightFinancingRateSOFRMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_AdjustedBaseRateMember" abstract="true" name="AdjustedBaseRateMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_DebtCovenantPeriodAxis" abstract="true" name="DebtCovenantPeriodAxis" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrldt:dimensionItem" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_DebtCovenantPeriodDomain" abstract="true" name="DebtCovenantPeriodDomain" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
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  <xs:element id="fwrd_FourthQuarterOf2026AndThereafterMember" abstract="true" name="FourthQuarterOf2026AndThereafterMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
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  <xs:element id="fwrd_DebtInstrumentCovenantLeverageRatio" abstract="false" name="DebtInstrumentCovenantLeverageRatio" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:pureItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_StockRepurchasePlan2019Member" abstract="true" name="StockRepurchasePlan2019Member" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
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  <xs:element id="fwrd_BusinessCombinationExchangeOptionNumberOfSharesExchangeable" abstract="false" name="BusinessCombinationExchangeOptionNumberOfSharesExchangeable" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:sharesItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_BusinessAcquisitionEquityInterestIssuedOrIssuableNumberOfSecuritiesRepresentedByEachFractionalUnit" abstract="false" name="BusinessAcquisitionEquityInterestIssuedOrIssuableNumberOfSecuritiesRepresentedByEachFractionalUnit" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:sharesItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_PreferredStockCumulativeAnnualDividendSpreadPercentageAboveYield" abstract="false" name="PreferredStockCumulativeAnnualDividendSpreadPercentageAboveYield" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_PartnersCapitalAccountUnitsConvertedPercentOfOutstanding" abstract="false" name="PartnersCapitalAccountUnitsConvertedPercentOfOutstanding" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_SalariesWagesAndEmployeeBenefitsMember" abstract="true" name="SalariesWagesAndEmployeeBenefitsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_NonEmployeeDirectorStockOptionsMember" abstract="true" name="NonEmployeeDirectorStockOptionsMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_NonemployeeDirectorNonvestedSharesGrantedMember" abstract="true" name="NonemployeeDirectorNonvestedSharesGrantedMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMeasurementPeriod" abstract="false" name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardMeasurementPeriod" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_MinimumPercentageOfSharesAttainable" abstract="false" name="MinimumPercentageOfSharesAttainable" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_MaximumPercentageOfSharesAttainable" abstract="false" name="MaximumPercentageOfSharesAttainable" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPurchasePeriod" abstract="false" name="ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardPurchasePeriod" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:durationItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_NumberOfLargeLumpSumContributionsRelatedToESPPStockPurchases" abstract="false" name="NumberOfLargeLumpSumContributionsRelatedToESPPStockPurchases" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_ExercisePriceRangeOneMember" abstract="true" name="ExercisePriceRangeOneMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
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  <xs:element id="fwrd_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationShareBasedCompensationAmount" abstract="false" name="EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationShareBasedCompensationAmount" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationOtherPermanentDifferencesAmount" abstract="false" name="EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationOtherPermanentDifferencesAmount" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationNondeductibleCompensationAmount" abstract="false" name="EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationNondeductibleCompensationAmount" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationGoodwillImpairmentAmount" abstract="false" name="EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationGoodwillImpairmentAmount" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationIntangibleBasisAdjustmentPercent" abstract="false" name="EffectiveIncomeTaxRateReconciliationIntangibleBasisAdjustmentPercent" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_DeferredTaxAssetsOperatingLeaseLiabilities" abstract="false" name="DeferredTaxAssetsOperatingLeaseLiabilities" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_DeferredTaxAssetsInterestDisallowance" abstract="false" name="DeferredTaxAssetsInterestDisallowance" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_DeferredTaxAssetsInvestmentInPartnership" abstract="false" name="DeferredTaxAssetsInvestmentInPartnership" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="debit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_OperatingLeaseLiabilitiesOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssets" abstract="false" name="OperatingLeaseLiabilitiesOperatingLeaseRightOfUseAssets" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_IncomeTaxPaidStateAndLocalOtherForeignAfterRefundReceived" abstract="false" name="IncomeTaxPaidStateAndLocalOtherForeignAfterRefundReceived" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_LiabilitiesUnderTaxReceivableAgreement" abstract="false" name="LiabilitiesUnderTaxReceivableAgreement" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_LesseeOperatingLeaseNumberOfRenewalOptions" abstract="false" name="LesseeOperatingLeaseNumberOfRenewalOptions" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:integerItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_FinanceLeasesCostAbstract" abstract="true" name="FinanceLeasesCostAbstract" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_LeaseWeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTermAbstract" abstract="true" name="LeaseWeightedAverageRemainingLeaseTermAbstract" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:stringItemType"/>
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  <xs:element id="fwrd_ShareholderComplaintMember" abstract="true" name="ShareholderComplaintMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchPercentage" abstract="false" name="DefinedContributionPlanEmployerMatchPercentage" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_DefinedContributionPlanMaximumEmployeeContributionMatchedByEmployer" abstract="false" name="DefinedContributionPlanMaximumEmployeeContributionMatchedByEmployer" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:percentItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosurePeriodIncreaseDecrease" abstract="false" name="LiabilitiesFairValueDisclosurePeriodIncreaseDecrease" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_TaxReceivableAgreementContingentConsiderationRangeOfOutcomesMinimumAmount" abstract="false" name="TaxReceivableAgreementContingentConsiderationRangeOfOutcomesMinimumAmount" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_TaxReceivableAgreementContingentConsiderationRangeOfOutcomesMaximumAmount" abstract="false" name="TaxReceivableAgreementContingentConsiderationRangeOfOutcomesMaximumAmount" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="instant" xbrli:balance="credit" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="xbrli:monetaryItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_OperatingSegmentsExcludingIntersegmentEliminationMember" abstract="true" name="OperatingSegmentsExcludingIntersegmentEliminationMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_OmniLogisticsSegmentMember" abstract="true" name="OmniLogisticsSegmentMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_NetworkMember" abstract="true" name="NetworkMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
  <xs:element id="fwrd_TruckloadMember" abstract="true" name="TruckloadMember" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" type="dtr-types:domainItemType"/>
</xs:schema>
