ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.Global Maritime Companies Ranking by
ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.CO2 Emissions (WtW)

ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.Discover the world's largest shipping companies ranked by CO2 emissions (WtW), updated for 2025. ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.Our comprehensive analysis covers major global carriers and their CO2 emissions.

ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.Total Companies Analyzed

180

ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.Combined Fleet Size

12.000+

ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.Global TEU Capacity

120M+

Top 3 Maritime Companies with the highest CO2 emissions (WtW)

The podium below showcases the three largest shipping companies globally based on CO2 emissions (Well-to-Wake). These industry leaders represent the companies with the highest environmental impact in terms of carbon emissions.

1
MSC
MSC
Switzerland
191,368
tonnes CO2
2
CMA CGM
CMA CGM
France
80,266
tonnes CO2
3
ONE
ONE
Japan
32,733
tonnes CO2

ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.Understanding Maritime Rankings

ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.Key Ranking Criteria

ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.CO2 Emissions (WtW)

ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.Primary Factor

ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.CO2 emissions (WtW) is the central metric in our ranking system. ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.It refers to the total CO2 emissions of a company. ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.This factor best represents operational capacity, shipping network reach, and investment scale. ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.A larger fleet not only increases route flexibility but also enhances reliability, resilience, and service frequency across global trade lanes.

ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.Our Methodology

01

ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.Data Collection

ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.The ranking process begins with data collection, gathering verified information from company financial reports, maritime industry associations, and trusted shipping databases.

02

ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.Verification

ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.Once collected, every data point undergoes a verification process where it is cross-referenced with multiple independent sources to confirm accuracy.

03

ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.Analysis

ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.The next stage is analysis, where companies are ranked mainly by CO2 emissions (WtW). ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.Secondary consideration is given to TEU capacity and overall shipping volume, offering a broader understanding of each company's logistical capabilities.

04

ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.Quarterly Updates

ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.Finally, our rankings are updated quarterly, ensuring they reflect the latest changes, including new vessel acquisitions, fleet reductions, mergers, and operational shifts.

ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.Why CO2 Emissions (WtW) Matters in Shipping Rankings

ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.CO2 emissions (WtW) is more than a number—it indicates strategic commitment, investment capacity, and global competitiveness.

ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.Operational Efficiency

ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.CO2 emissions (WtW) is a key indicator of a company's operational efficiency and environmental responsibility.

ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.Environmental Responsibility

ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.CO2 emissions (WtW) is a key indicator of a company's environmental responsibility and sustainability efforts.

ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.Global Reach

ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.CO2 emissions (WtW) is a key indicator of a company's global reach and its ability to operate across different regions and trade lanes.

ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.Global Maritime Companies Ranking by CO2 Emissions (WtW)

ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.The comprehensive table below ranks the world's leading maritime shipping companies based on their CO2 emissions (Well-to-Wake). ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.Additional metrics such as vessel count, distance traveled, and total voyages provide further context on each company's environmental impact.

ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.Rankranking_co2_emissions_wtw.Companyranking_co2_emissions_wtw.CO2 Emissions (tonnes)
1
MSC
MSC
191,368
2
CMA CGM
CMA CGM
80,266
3
ONE
ONE
32,733
4
YANG MING
YANG MING
28,555
5
HAPAG LLOYD
HAPAG LLOYD
23,864
6
COSCO
COSCO
21,342
7
WAN HAI
WAN HAI
20,679
8
PIL
PIL
14,500
9
HMM
HMM
13,606
10
OOCL
OOCL
12,933
11
ARKAS
ARKAS
25,522
12
Swire Shipping
Swire Shipping
2,857
13
PCS Line
PCS Line
602

ranking_fleet_size.Global Shipping Industry Insights

ranking_fleet_size.Global Shipping Market Size by Segment

ranking_fleet_size.Container Shipping$180B
ranking_fleet_size.Bulk Carriers$110B
ranking_fleet_size.Tankers$95B
ranking_fleet_size.Other Segments$75B

ranking_fleet_size.Source: ranking_fleet_size.International Maritime Organization, ranking_fleet_size.2025

ranking_fleet_size.Industry Growth Trends

ranking_fleet_size.Annual Fleet Growth Rate4,2%

ranking_fleet_size.The global shipping fleet continues to expand, with an average annual growth rate of 4,2% over the past five years.

ranking_fleet_size.Container Trade Volume+5,8%

ranking_fleet_size.Global container trade volume increased by 5,8% year-over-year, reaching 180 million TEUs.

ranking_fleet_size.Industry ConsolidationTop 10: 85%

ranking_fleet_size.The top 10 shipping companies now control 85% of global container capacity, up from 74% five years ago.

ranking_fleet_size.Source: ranking_fleet_size.World Shipping Council, ranking_fleet_size.2025

ranking_fleet_size.Regional Distribution & Leadership in Global Shipping

ranking_fleet_size.Asia-Pacific Dominance

ranking_fleet_size.The Asia-Pacific region dominates the global maritime sector, with companies from China, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan accounting for over 60% of the world's top 20 shipping lines by fleet size.

  • ranking_fleet_size.China's COSCO Shipping notably grew its fleet by 15% in the past year, driven by robust trade demand
  • ranking_fleet_size.This regional strength reflects Asia's role as the hub of global manufacturing and maritime trade

ranking_fleet_size.European Maritime Tradition

ranking_fleet_size.European shipping lines continue to be key players in the industry:

  • ranking_fleet_size.Countries like Switzerland, Denmark, Germany, and France are well represented in the top 10 global rankings.
  • ranking_fleet_size.MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company), based in Switzerland, has surpassed Maersk as the largest container shipping company in the world, underlining Europe's continued strategic presence in maritime logistics.

ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.Frequently Asked Questions

ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.How are maritime companies ranked in this list?
ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.Companies are ranked primarily by CO2 emissions (WtW), with secondary metrics such as vessel count, distance traveled, and total voyages.
ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.How often is the maritime companies ranking updated?
ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.Rankings are updated quarterly to reflect fleet changes, mergers, acquisitions, and market trends.
ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.What is CO2 emissions (WtW) and why is it important in shipping?
ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.CO2 emissions (WtW) is a key indicator of a company's environmental responsibility and sustainability efforts.
ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.Why has MSC overtaken Maersk as the world's largest shipping company?
ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.MSC has aggressively expanded its fleet and market reach, overtaking Maersk by number of vessels and TEU capacity in recent years.
ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected maritime shipping rankings?
ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.COVID-19 led to temporary disruptions, but also accelerated digitalization and fleet realignments, influencing ranking dynamics post-2021.
ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.What role do alliances play in the maritime shipping industry?
ranking_co2_emissions_wtw.Strategic alliances (2M, THE Alliance, Ocean Alliance, and others) allow carriers to optimize routes, share capacity, and enhance global service coverage.