Global Maritime Companies Ranking by
Fleet Capacity
Leading Shipping Companies by Total Fleet Capacity (GT & DWT) in 2025.
Total Companies Analyzed
180
Combined Fleet Capacity
12.000+
Global TEU Capacity
120M+
Top 3 Maritime Companies with the largest fleet capacity in million TEU
This ranking lists the world’s largest maritime companies based on total fleet capacity, measured by gross tonnage (GT) and deadweight tonnage (DWT). Updated for 2025, this classification highlights the shipping lines with the greatest physical cargo-carrying capabilities, regardless of the number of ships operated.
2
Mediterranean Shipping Compagny
6.3
million of TEU
1
Deutsche Afrika-Linien
6.589
million of TEU
3
CMA CGM Group
5
million of TEU
1
Deutsche Afrika-Linien
6.589
million of TEU
2
Mediterranean Shipping Compagny
6.3
million of TEU
3
CMA CGM Group
5
million of TEU
Understanding Maritime Rankings
Key Ranking Criteria
Fleet Capacity (in million TEU)
Primary FactorFleet capacity reflects the maximum volume a shipping line can move at any given time. It is calculated using the gross tonnage (for overall size) and deadweight tonnage (for cargo-carrying ability) across the entire fleet.
Our Methodology
01
Data Collection
We source tonnage data from vessel registries, fleet databases, classification societies, and verified carrier disclosures.
02
Verification
Each vessel’s capacity is confirmed across multiple databases to ensure accurate GT and DWT metrics.
Global Maritime Companies Ranking
The comprehensive table below ranks the world's leading maritime shipping companies based on their fleet capacity. Additional metrics such as number of ships and volume transported provide further context on each company's market position.
| Rank | Company | Fleet Capacity (M TEU) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | | 6.589 |
| 2 | | 6.3 |
| 3 | | 5 |
| 4 |  | 4.4 |
| 5 |  | 3.3 |
| 6 |  | 2.3 |
| 7 |  | 1.9 |
| 8 |  | 1.75 |
| 9 |  | 0.9 |
| 10 |  | 0.78 |
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
Tonnage Expansion Trends+3,4% DWT
Global DWT and GT continue to rise, even as the number of ships remains stable.
Fleet Modernization2,200+
Leading carriers are accelerating investments in next-generation ships with greater efficiency and lower emissions to comply with IMO 2030 environmental goals.
Port Compatibility
Regional Distribution & Leadership in Global Shipping
Asia-Pacific Growth
Asian carriers lead in bulk tonnage and container vessel size, with COSCO and ONE expanding capacity in response to manufacturing exports.
European Maritime Tradition
MSC and Maersk operate among the highest average capacity ships in the world, giving them an edge on long-haul, high-volume corridors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is GT and DWT?
Gross Tonnage (GT) refers to the total internal volume of a vessel, including all enclosed spaces.
Why does fleet capacity matter more than ship count?
The number of vessels alone does not indicate a carrier’s transport strength.