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

Einblicke in die globale Schifffahrt

Marktgröße nach Segment

Containerverkehr$180B
Massengutfrachter$110B
Tanker$95B
Andere Segmente$75B

Quelle: Internationale Seeschifffahrts-Organisation, 2025

Branchentrends

Jährliche Flottenwachstumsrate4,2%

Die weltweite Flotte wächst weiter mit durchschnittlich 4,2 % jährlich in den letzten fünf Jahren.

Containerumschlag+5,8%

Das weltweite Containeraufkommen stieg um 5,8 % auf 180 Mio. TEU.

Konsolidierung der BrancheTop 10: 85%

Die Top-10-Reedereien kontrollieren nun 85 % der Containerkapazität, gegenüber 74 % vor fünf Jahren.

Quelle: World Shipping Council, 2025

Regionale Verteilung & Führungsrollen

Dominanz Asien-Pazifik

Die Asien-Pazifik-Region dominiert mit Firmen aus China, Japan, Südkorea und Taiwan über 60 % der Top-20-Flotten.

  • COSCO Shipping (China) hat die Flotte im letzten Jahr um 15 % erhöht, getrieben von starker Nachfrage
  • Diese Stärke reflektiert Asiens Rolle als Zentrum von Produktion und Handel

Europäische Seefahrtstradition

Europäische Reedereien bleiben entscheidende Akteure:

  • Länder wie Schweiz, Dänemark, Deutschland und Frankreich sind in den Top 10 vertreten.
  • MSC (Schweiz) hat Maersk überholt und ist größte Containerreederei, was Europas strategische Präsenz unterstreicht.

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.