MSC reaches record 21.5% global container market share, Maersk declines to 13.7%

GLOBAL – Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has achieved a record 21.5% share of global container fleet capacity, the highest ever recorded by a single carrier, while Maersk has fallen to a 20-year low of 13.7%.

Alphaliner stated that no container carrier has previously achieved such a market share. The closest was Maersk, which held 19.3% in 2018.

MSC’s Growth Strategy and Fleet Expansion

MSC has continued to expand its presence, driven by rapid fleet growth since 2020, and has effectively doubled its market share since 2010. The Geneva-based carrier was the only company among the world’s top 10 container lines to reach a record market share this year.

For fresh produce exporters and logistics operators, MSC’s aggressive expansion means greater vessel capacity and routing options for refrigerated containers, potentially increasing competition on perishable trade lanes.

Maersk’s Contraction and Strategic Pivot

Alphaliner attributed Maersk’s decline to the Danish group’s strategy of capping its fleet at 4.1–4.3 million TEU from early 2024, while the global container fleet continues to expand.

Maersk has stated that it is prioritizing decarbonized fleet replacement and integrated logistics to meet its strategic and financial objectives. Operated tonnage accounted for just 13.7% of the global container fleet in May, the lowest level since Maersk acquired P&O Nedlloyd in 2005.

 Maersk’s fleet cap means less growth in vessel capacity from the carrier, potentially stabilizing freight rates on routes where the Danish line is a major player. However, a focus on integrated logistics may enhance service reliability for customers handling perishable cargo by providing better end-to-end supply chain solutions.

CMA CGM Maintains Stable Position

Among the top container carriers, CMA CGM maintained a stable market position. The French shipping line accounted for 12.5% of global container fleet capacity, slightly below its peak market share of 12.9% recorded in 2023, according to Alphaliner.

The widening gap between MSC and Maersk reflects divergent business models with distinct implications for perishable cargo shipping.

Shippers must assess which carrier’s strategy best aligns with their perishable cargo requirements: MSC’s capacity growth and network reach, or Maersk’s integrated logistics and decarbonization focus.

More importantly, this historic shift proves a realignment of the global maritime industry’s competitive landscape, with MSC achieving unprecedented dominance while its primary rival intentionally limits fleet size in favour of sustainability and logistics integration.

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