Global Maritime Companies Ranking by
Number of Ships

Discover the world's largest shipping companies ranked by fleet size, updated for 2025. Our comprehensive analysis covers major global carriers and their shipping capacity.

Total Companies Analyzed

180

Combined Fleet Size

12.000+

Global TEU Capacity

120M+

Top 3 Maritime Companies with the largest fleet size

The podium below showcases the three largest shipping companies globally based on fleet size. These industry leaders collectively operate over 2,500 vessels and represent a significant portion of the global shipping capacity.

1
Mediterranean Shipping Compagny
Mediterranean Shipping Compagny
Switzerland
880
ships
2
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines
Japan
873
ships
3
Nippon Yusen Kaisha
Nippon Yusen Kaisha
Japan
824
ships

Understanding Maritime Rankings

Key Ranking Criteria

Fleet Size

Primary Factor

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

Our Methodology

01

Data Collection

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

02

Verification

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

03

Analysis

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

04

Quarterly Updates

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

Why Fleet Size Matters in Shipping Rankings

Fleet size is more than a number—it indicates strategic commitment, investment capacity, and global competitiveness.

Operational Scale

A larger fleet means a company can operate more routes, maintain higher frequency schedules, and better respond to global supply chain fluctuations.

Market Resilience

Companies with numerous vessels are better positioned to absorb disruptions such as port congestion, equipment shortages, or geopolitical instability.

Investment Capacity

Fleet size highlights investment strength, showing a company's long-term dedication to maintaining and expanding its maritime infrastructure.

Global Maritime Companies Ranking

The comprehensive table below ranks the world's leading maritime shipping companies based on their fleet size. Additional metrics such as TEU capacity and volume transported provide further context on each company's market position.

RankCompanyNumber of ships
1
Mediterranean Shipping Compagny		880
2
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines		873
3
Nippon Yusen Kaisha		824
4
A.P. Moller - Maersk		715
5
CMA CGM Group		658
6
COSCO Shipping		516
7
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha		451
8
Hapag-Lloyd		299
9
Ocean Network Express		254
10
Noatum Maritime		250

Global Shipping Industry Insights

Global Shipping Market Size by Segment

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

Source: International Maritime Organization, 2025

Industry Growth Trends

Annual Fleet Growth Rate4,2%

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

Container Trade Volume+5,8%

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

Industry ConsolidationTop 10: 85%

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

Source: World Shipping Council, 2025

Regional Distribution & Leadership in Global Shipping

Asia-Pacific Dominance

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.

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

European Maritime Tradition

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

  • Countries like Switzerland, Denmark, Germany, and France are well represented in the top 10 global rankings.
  • 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are maritime companies ranked in this list?
Companies are ranked primarily by fleet size, with secondary metrics such as TEU capacity, cargo volume, and global port coverage.
How often is the maritime companies ranking updated?
Rankings are updated quarterly to reflect fleet changes, mergers, acquisitions, and market trends.
What is TEU and why is it important in shipping?
A TEU (Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit) is a standard measure of container capacity, crucial for comparing cargo volumes across companies.
Why has MSC overtaken Maersk as the world's largest shipping company?
MSC has aggressively expanded its fleet and market reach, overtaking Maersk by number of vessels and TEU capacity in recent years.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected maritime shipping rankings?
COVID-19 led to temporary disruptions, but also accelerated digitalization and fleet realignments, influencing ranking dynamics post-2021.
What role do alliances play in the maritime shipping industry?
Strategic alliances (2M, THE Alliance, Ocean Alliance, and others) allow carriers to optimize routes, share capacity, and enhance global service coverage.

Explore Other Rankings

01

Fleet Size

Ranking by number of ships

Compare shipping companies based on the total number of vessels in their fleet

View Fleet Size ranking
02

Volume Transported

Ranking by million TEU transported

See which shipping companies move the largest volume of containers globally

View Volume Transported ranking
03

Fleet Capacity

Ranking by container fleet capacity (M TEU)

Compare the total carrying capacity of shipping company fleets worldwide

View Fleet Capacity ranking
04

Ports Coverage

Ranking by number of covered ports

Compare shipping companies based on their global port coverage and network reach

View Ports Coverage ranking
05

Global Presence

Ranking by presence in number of countries

See which shipping companies have the widest global footprint across different countries

View Global Presence ranking
06

Maritime Routes

Ranking by number of maritime lines

Discover which companies offer the most extensive network of maritime shipping routes

View Maritime routes ranking
07

Energy Efficiency

Ranking by EEDI (gCO2 per TEUkm)

Compare the Energy Efficiency Design Index of different shipping companie.

View Energy Efficiency ranking
08

Operational Efficiency

Ranking by annual CO2 reduction (EEOI)

See which companies are improving their Energy Efficiency Operational Indicator the fastest

View Operational Efficiency ranking
09

Container Safety

Ranking by containers lost (% of moved TEU)

Compare companies based on their container safety record and loss prevention

View Container Safety ranking
10

Total Emissions Reduction

Ranking by annual CO2 reduction (total operations)

See which companies are reducing their total carbon footprint the fastest

View Total Emissions Reduction ranking
11

Fleet Emissions Reduction

Ranking by annual CO2 reduction (fleet only)

Compare companies based on how quickly they re reducing their fleet emissions

View Fleet Emissions Reduction ranking
12

Alternative Fuels

Ranking by fleet % using biofuels or dual-fuel engines

Discover which companies are leading in the adoption of cleaner fuel technologies

View Alternative Fuels ranking
13

Fleet Emissions

Total fleet emissions (ktons CO2eq, Scope 1)

Compare the absolute emissions from shipping fleets without adjusting for company size

View Fleet Emissions ranking
14

Total Company Emissions

Total company emissions (ktons CO2eq)

See the total carbon footprint of shipping companies including all operations

View Total Company Emissions ranking