Leading Shipping Companies with the Broadest International Presence in 2025.
This ranking showcases the global shipping lines with the widest port coverage, reflecting the number of international ports they service. Updated for 2025, it provides a comprehensive look into global connectivity and logistical reach.
This ranking measures how many unique countries and global regions a shipping line actively serves, reflecting the company’s scale, network strength, and accessibility to international markets.
We gather network data from official carrier schedules, service maps, AIS tracking, and port coverage listings to determine international reach.
Coverage by country and region is cross-checked using third-party databases, logistics platforms, and maritime traffic analytics.
Companies are ranked by total number of countries served, with secondary consideration for intercontinental connectivity and regional service density.
Updates occur every three months to account for newly added or suspended services and shifting geopolitical or market conditions.
A carrier’s international presence is a key indicator of market accessibility, global logistics support, and commercial relevance. Companies that operate in more countries offer shippers greater route flexibility, strategic options for risk diversification, and faster access to new or emerging markets. Carriers with broad presence are also more resilient to regional disruptions and better positioned to support global supply chain continuity
A vast operational footprint allows shipping lines to support international trade flows with fewer transshipments and broader service options.
Global presence enables carriers to bypass localized disruptions and re-route cargo efficiently.
It strengthens alliances, attracts multinational clients, and positions carriers for future market dominance.
This list highlights the top carriers by number of countries and territories served across their active maritime networks. It illustrates global accessibility and the strategic breadth of each shipping company. Complementary metrics such as number of covered ports, fleet capacity, and TEU volumes help contextualize their operational depth and commercial scale.
Rank | Company | Countries Presence |
---|---|---|
1 | ![]() | 200 |
2 | ![]() | 200 |
3 | ![]() | 180 |
4 | ![]() | 173 |
5 | ![]() | 166 |
6 | ![]() | 160 |
7 | ![]() | 160 |
8 | ![]() | 160 |
9 | ![]() | 160 |
10 | ![]() | 155 |
Top shipping lines collectively serve more than 160 countries worldwide as of 2024, demonstrating truly global reach and market penetration.
Asia–Pacific economies led connectivity metrics in Q2 2023, with countries like China, South Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia achieving record-high LSCI values—increasing connectivity scores by 3–5% year-over-year.
The average top-tier carrier operates scheduled services to ports in over 100 countries, providing robust international access and regional diversification.
Asian shipping lines dominate intra-Asia and Pacific routes, offering widespread regional service and rapid port rotation capabilities.
European companies, especially MSC and Maersk, lead in cross-continental coverage with extensive access to North America, Africa, and emerging Middle Eastern hubs.
Ranking by number of ships
Compare shipping companies based on the total number of vessels in their fleet
View Fleet Size rankingRanking by million TEU transported
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View Volume Transported rankingRanking by container fleet capacity (M TEU)
Compare the total carrying capacity of shipping company fleets worldwide
View Fleet Capacity rankingRanking by number of covered ports
Compare shipping companies based on their global port coverage and network reach
View Ports Coverage rankingRanking by presence in number of countries
See which shipping companies have the widest global footprint across different countries
View Global Presence rankingRanking by number of maritime lines
Discover which companies offer the most extensive network of maritime shipping routes
View Maritime routes rankingRanking by EEDI (gCO2 per TEUkm)
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View Energy Efficiency rankingRanking by annual CO2 reduction (EEOI)
See which companies are improving their Energy Efficiency Operational Indicator the fastest
View Operational Efficiency rankingRanking by containers lost (% of moved TEU)
Compare companies based on their container safety record and loss prevention
View Container Safety rankingRanking by annual CO2 reduction (total operations)
See which companies are reducing their total carbon footprint the fastest
View Total Emissions Reduction rankingRanking by annual CO2 reduction (fleet only)
Compare companies based on how quickly they re reducing their fleet emissions
View Fleet Emissions Reduction rankingRanking by fleet % using biofuels or dual-fuel engines
Discover which companies are leading in the adoption of cleaner fuel technologies
View Alternative Fuels rankingTotal fleet emissions (ktons CO2eq, Scope 1)
Compare the absolute emissions from shipping fleets without adjusting for company size
View Fleet Emissions rankingTotal company emissions (ktons CO2eq)
See the total carbon footprint of shipping companies including all operations
View Total Company Emissions ranking