MSC leads global shipping as APM Terminals climbs to third in 2025

GLOBAL – MSC has remained the world’s largest container carrier by volume in 2025, widening its lead over competitors with an 11.1% increase in transported goods, while APM Terminals moved into third place among global terminal operators, according to DynaLiners.

MSC carried 30 million TEU during the year, up 11.1% from 27 million TEU in 2024. COSCO Shipping ranked second with 27.435 million TEU, followed by Maersk with 25.884 million TEU.

However, MSC’s volumes grew faster than those of its two closest competitors. COSCO Shipping increased volumes by 5.8%, while Maersk recorded 4.9% growth.

MSC’s lead over COSCO widened from about 1.06 million TEU in 2024 to 2.57 million TEU in 2025. Its lead over Maersk increased from about 2.32 million TEU to 4.12 million TEU.

While most top-tier companies expanded their operations, the data reveal a mixed landscape.

Liner Operator Performance and Outliers

CMA CGM remained fourth with 24.24 million TEU, up 2.8%, while Hapag-Lloyd ranked fifth with 13.486 million TEU, up 8.2%. PIL recorded the highest percentage growth among the 12 liner operators in the DynaLiners table, with volumes up 16.7% to 2.58 million TEU.

Meanwhile, Yang Ming’s volumes fell 6.3% to 4.419 million TEU, while ZIM declined 2.3% to 3.663 million TEU.

Combined volumes for the 12 liner operators reached 164.147 million TEU in 2025, up 5.2% on 156.074 million TEU in 2024. DynaLiners estimated worldwide liner carryings at 194.086 million TEU, up 4.1%.

Terminal Operator Ranking and Growth Trends

In the terminal operator ranking, PSA remained first with 69.9 million TEU, followed by China Merchants Port with 66 million TEU.

APM Terminals moved up from fourth to third, handling 59.3 million TEU, up 11% from 53.2 million TEU. COSCO Shipping Ports dropped to fourth with 58.2 million TEU, while MSC ranked fifth, increasing volumes by 15% to 51.1 million TEU.

DP World moved to sixth place with 49.4 million TEU, while Hutchison Ports ranked seventh with 47.6 million TEU. CMA CGM recorded the highest growth rate among the Top 10 terminal operators, with volumes up 22% to 15.8 million TEU.

Combined Top 10 volumes reached 441.1 million TEU, up 9% from 405.6 million TEU, representing 44% of estimated global container port throughput.

Finally, this overview illustrates a competitive environment characterized by rapid expansion and strategic shifts among the world’s most influential logistics entities.

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