The world’s largest container carriers are responsible for shipping vast amounts of shipping containers around the world each year, with the shipping industry generally accepted to haul 90% of the globe’s cargo.
Below is a list of the world’s top five container operators:
Maersk
According to the company’s website, Maersk Line operates a total of 580 vessels with a combined TEU capacity of 2.8 million.
The world’s largest container carrier sails to almost every country in the world and transports around 11 million containers annually.
Danish liner Maersk has recently announced its 2M vessel sharing agreement with MSC, which aims to cut costs, improve profitability and efficiency of operations for both carriers.
According to Alpha Liner, its total share of the world’s shipping fleet in TEU terms is more than 2,850,000, which is the equivalent of 15.4%.
The world's top 5 container lines. (Source: Wikipedia)
Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC)
MSC operates a total of 464 vessels with a combined capacity of over 2.3 million TEU, according to its website.
It has a total share of 13.6% for the world’s liner fleet, totalling more than 2,800,000 TEU.
The world's top 5 container lines. (Source: MSC Croatia)
CMA CGM
As the third-largest container operator in the world and number one in France, CMA CGM and its subsidiaries recorded revenues of US$15.9bn in 2013.
The company operates in more than 150 countries globally, and has a total share of 8.7% for the world’s shipping fleet, totalling more than 1.6 million TEU.
CMA CGM has reported a strong financial performance in Q3 2014, with total revenue of US$4.4 billion.
The world's top 5 container lines. (Source: Maritime Intel)
Evergreen Line
Evergreen Line has a total fleet of more than 190 vessels with a combined capacity of 850,000 TEU, according to the company’s website.
It has a comprehensive corporate social responsibility policy in place which contain guidelines on anti-bribery/anti-corruption, environmental protection, anti-discrimination, risk assessment/control, and competition law compliance.
Its total share of the world’s liner fleet has been recorded at 5.1%, totalling more than 940,000 TEU.
The world's top 5 container lines. (Source: USMX)
COSCO
As the fifth largest container operator, COSCO operates more than 150 vessels at more than 660,000 in combined TEU-capacity.
The carrier’s total world liner fleet share was recorded at 4.3%, totalling more than 800,000 TEU.
The company has recently opted into a ‘CKYHE’ alliance with four other alliances, including Evergreen Line, in an effort to increase operational flexibility.
The world's top 5 container lines. (Source: Nord Capital)