Created on 05.21
The latest global liner capacity rankings are out, with MSC, Maersk, and CMA CGM remaining the top players.
According to the latest Alphaliner capacity data, the global container fleet has surpassed 34 million TEU, with MSC maintaining its top position with a market share of nearly 22%. Coupled with the latest data showing that green-powered vessels now account for over 8.9% of the fleet, freight forwarders handling ocean routes may find it worthwhile to keep an eye on the following changes.
Overview of Key Capacity Data
As of May 2026, the global operational container fleet comprises 7,531 vessels, with a total capacity of 34,055,400 TEU (approximately 405 million deadweight tons).
Market Share and Rankings:
- The combined capacity of the top three carriers accounts for 48% of the global total, indicating a clear trend of market concentration.
- Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) remains firmly in the top spot with 7.319 million TEU (21.6%) of capacity. MSC has also made history by becoming the first liner company globally to operate a fleet exceeding 1,000 vessels, with a fleet ownership ratio close to 75%.
- Maersk holds second place with approximately 4.65 million TEU (13.8%).
- CMA CGM Group ranks third with about 4.273 million TEU (12.6%).
- Rankings 4-10 are as follows: COSCO Shipping, Hapag-Lloyd, Ocean Network Express (ONE), Evergreen Marine, HMM, Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation, and ZIM Integrated Shipping Services. Notably, the top 8 carriers all have capacities exceeding 1 million TEU.
- Rankings 11-20 are: Wan Hai Lines, Pacific International Lines, X-Press Feeders Group, SITC Container Lines, UniFeeder, Korea Marine Transport Company (KMTC), Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines (IRISL), Global Feeder Shipping, Sinokor Merchant Marine, and T.S. Lines. T.S. Lines is a new entrant to the top 20, securing the 20th position.
15 Mainland China-based Companies Ranked in Top 100:
COSCO Shipping (4th), SITC Container Lines (14th), Ningbo Ocean Shipping (23rd), Tangshan Port Hede Shipping (24th), Antong Holdings (27th), Sino-Trans Air Sea Transport (28th), Shanghai Jinjiang Shipping (31st), CU Lines (32nd), Zhonggu Logistics (34th), Yangpu New Shipping (49th), Taicang Port Container Shipping (58th), Dalian Container Terminal Bohai Rim Shipping (78th), Dalian Xinfeng Marine Shipping (83rd), Tianjin Datong Shipping (92nd), and Guangxi Hongxiang Shipping (98th).
Green-Powered Vessels Exceed 8.9%, Accelerating Industry Decarbonization:
As of May 2026, within the global container fleet:
- LNG-powered vessels account for approximately 2.46 million TEU, representing 7.6%.
- Methanol-powered vessels account for about 40,000 TEU, representing 1.3%.
- Vessels equipped with scrubbers account for about 13.6 million TEU, representing 41.8%.
Alternative-fueled vessels now collectively exceed 9% of the fleet. LNG and methanol dual-fuel power have become the mainstream choice for newbuild orders.
For Freight Forwarders:
When selecting carriers for clients concerned with supply chain carbon emissions, it is advisable to prioritize carriers with a higher proportion of green-powered fleets. Top carriers like MSC, Maersk, and CMA CGM are all accelerating their fleet renewal efforts.
Key Takeaways for Freight Forwarders:
- Monitor Carrier Capacity Changes and Slot Stability: Leading carriers are continuously expanding their capacity. MSC, COSCO Shipping, and others have substantial newbuilding orders, which may lead to more abundant slot supply and potentially greater negotiation leverage on freight rates. Capacity rankings can be a useful reference point for assessing carrier stability during contract negotiations.
- Growing Selection of Mainland China-based Carriers: Carriers like CU Lines, Ningbo Ocean Shipping, and Zhonggu Logistics are steadily climbing the ranks. They provide forwarders with more local slot options for intra-Asia, Southeast Asian, and domestic routes. Proactively including their services in quotation comparisons is recommended.
- Green Fleet Ratio as a Differentiating Competitive Factor: As some shippers are incorporating carbon emissions into their supply chain assessments, proactively recommending carriers with a higher proportion of LNG or methanol-powered vessels can be a value-added service. This factor is becoming a point of differentiation.
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