Top 10 Largest Container Shipping Companies by Fleet Capacity (2025)
The global shipping industry remains a critical backbone of international trade, with container ships transporting over 90% of the world’s goods. As of March 2025, the rankings of the largest shipping companies—measured in TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Units)—show a mix of established giants and emerging players. Below is the detailed ranking along with key insights.
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2025 Container Shipping Fleet Rankings
Rank Company Fleet Capacity (TEU) Key Highlights
1 MSC (Mediterranean
Shipping Co.) 3.38M Swiss-based, world’s largest, aggressive
expansion
2 Maersk (A.P.
Moller-Maersk) 2.35M Danish giant, strong in Europe &
sustainability
3 COSCO Shipping 1.58M China’s state-owned leader, expanding globally
4 CMA CGM 1.23M French firm, invests in alternative fuels
5 Hapag-Lloyd 0.76M German-based, focuses on midsize vessels
6 Evergreen Marine 0.71M Taiwan’s flagship, eco-friendly fleet
7 ONE (Ocean Network Express) 0.68M Japanese joint venture, tech-driven
8 HMM (Hyundai Merchant Marine) 0.53M South Korea’s top carrier, govt-backed
9 Yang Ming 0.49M Taiwanese, strong in intra-Asia trade
10 ZIM Integrated Shipping 0.42M Israeli, niche market specialist
Source: Alphaliner (March 2025)
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Key Market Trends
1. MSC’s Dominance Continues
• MSC (3.38M TEU) surpassed Maersk in 2022 and has since widened the gap, thanks to massive new vessel orders.
• Strategy: Focuses on ultra-large container ships (ULCS) and secondary port coverage.
2. Europe vs. Asia Competition
• Maersk (2.35M TEU) remains a leader in green shipping, investing in methanol-powered ships.
• COSCO (1.58M TEU) is China’s global trade arm, rapidly expanding in Africa and South America.
3. Sustainability Push
• Evergreen (0.71M TEU) and Hapag-Lloyd (0.76M TEU) are leading in LNG and ammonia-powered ships to meet IMO 2030 emissions rules.
• CMA CGM (1.23M TEU) has pledged carbon neutrality by 2050.
4. Korean & Japanese Players
• HMM (0.53M TEU): South Korea’s top carrier, receiving government support for fleet expansion.
• ONE (0.68M TEU): A merger of K Line, MOL, and NYK, focusing on digital logistics.
5. Niche Market Leaders
• ZIM (0.42M TEU): Specializes in trans-Pacific and Mediterranean routes, using smaller, agile fleets.
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Future Outlook
• Mergers & Consolidation: Smaller players may merge to compete with MSC/Maersk.
• Decarbonization: More carriers will adopt alternative fuels (ammonia, hydrogen).
• Supply Chain Resilience: Companies invest in AI-driven logistics to avoid future disruptions.
The shipping industry remains highly dynamic, with MSC, Maersk, and COSCO leading the race—but sustainability and digital innovation will decide the next decade’s winners.
