Top 10 Shipping Companies in the World

Container shipping is the backbone of global trade, moving more than 80% of goods that power economies, industries, and daily life. From electronics and clothing to machinery and food supplies, much of what we use has travelled in a steel container across oceans. Behind this system stand a few major shipping companies that control most of the world’s vessel capacity.

These carriers decide where ships sail, how trade routes are structured, and how efficiently goods arrive. This article takes a closer look at the top 10 container shipping companies in the world, focusing on fleet strength measured in TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units), leadership, headquarters, and trade operations

Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) is the largest container shipping line in the world, with a fleet capacity of over 6.4 million TEU spread across nearly 900 vessels. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, and led by CEO Søren Toft under the founding Aponte family, MSC has built an unmatched global network covering major routes such as Asia–Europe, Trans-Pacific, Trans-Atlantic, Africa, and South America.

The company is privately owned and does not disclose revenue, but industry estimates suggest it earns more than $50 billion annually. In 2025, MSC withdrew from the 2M Alliance with Maersk to operate independently, giving it full control of its vessel schedules and trade strategies.

Beyond sea transport, MSC has invested heavily in port terminals, rail logistics, and inland transportation networks, particularly in Africa and Europe. The company is also ordering methanol- and LNG-ready vessels to reduce emissions and meet global environmental standards.

Maersk, headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark, is the second-largest container shipping company worldwide, operating more than 4.5 million TEU across approximately 730 vessels. Led by CEO Vincent Clerc, Maersk reported about $55.5 billion in revenue in 2024 and continues to transition from a traditional shipping line into a fully integrated logistics company.

The company operates on all major routes, including Asia–Europe, Trans-Pacific, and Trans-Atlantic, and offers inland logistics, air cargo, warehousing, and digital supply chain services. In early 2025, Maersk dissolved its 2M Alliance partnership with MSC and formed the Gemini Cooperation with Hapag-Lloyd, focusing on schedule reliability of over 90% on core East–West trades. Maersk is also a frontrunner in green shipping, with a fleet of methanol-powered vessels and investments in low-carbon solutions designed to achieve net-zero emissions targets by 2040.

CMA CGM, based in Marseille, France, is the world’s third-largest container carrier with a fleet capacity of around 3.8 million TEU deployed on more than 660 vessels. The company is led by Chairman and CEO Rodolphe Saadé and reported approximately $55 billion in revenue in 2024. CMA CGM operates on key routes such as Asia–Europe, Trans-Pacific, Asia–Mediterranean, and Middle East–India.

It is a core member of the Ocean Alliance, partnering with COSCO, OOCL, and Evergreen. In recent years, CMA CGM has expanded far beyond shipping, acquiring CEVA Logistics and Bolloré Logistics to strengthen its inland, air freight, and warehousing capabilities. The company is also investing in LNG-powered and methanol-ready ships to reduce its environmental impact. With strong family leadership and global reach, CMA CGM has positioned itself as both a major shipping line and a global logistics provider.

COSCO Shipping Lines, headquartered in Shanghai, China, is the fourth-largest container shipping company in the world, operating more than 3.3 million TEU across around 520 vessels, including its subsidiary OOCL. As part of the state-owned China COSCO Shipping Corporation, the company plays a strategic role in China’s Belt and Road Initiative.

In 2024, COSCO reported revenue of roughly RMB 233 billion (around $32–33 billion). The company has a strong presence on Asia–Europe, Intra-Asia, Trans-Pacific, and China–Middle East trade routes. COSCO also owns or operates key port terminals globally, including Piraeus in Greece, Zeebrugge in Belgium, and facilities in Spain, the Netherlands, and Southeast Asia.

COSCO is a founding member of the Ocean Alliance and continues investing in smart port technology, digital logistics platforms, and eco-friendly vessels to increase efficiency and sustainability.

Hapag-Lloyd, headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, is the fifth-largest container carrier with a fleet capacity of approximately 2.35 million TEU across about 300 vessels. Led by CEO Rolf Habben Jansen, the company generated around $20.3 billion in revenue in 2024. Hapag-Lloyd operates major services on routes such as Trans-Atlantic, Latin America, the Middle East, Asia–Europe, and Trans-Pacific.

In 2025, it joined Maersk to form the Gemini Cooperation, ending its participation in THE Alliance to focus on reliable and efficient scheduling, particularly on East–West trades. The company has also expanded into terminal operations through Hanseatic Global Terminals, giving it better port access and control over container handling. Hapag-Lloyd continues modernizing its fleet with dual-fuel vessels and improving digital booking platforms, maintaining its reputation for reliability and financial stability.

Ocean Network Express (ONE), headquartered in Singapore, ranks sixth globally with a fleet capacity of about 1.97 million TEU across roughly 250 vessels. Established in 2018 through the merger of Japan’s NYK Line, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, and K Line, ONE is led by CEO Jeremy Nixon. In 2024, the company generated revenue of approximately $19.23 billion.

ONE operates across the Asia–Europe, Trans-Pacific, Trans-Atlantic, and Intra-Asia trade lanes. In 2025, it became a core member of the Premier Alliance, alongside HMM and Yang Ming, after the restructuring of THE Alliance. The carrier is also investing in methanol- and ammonia-ready ships to comply with environmental standards. Known for its distinctive magenta-colored vessels, ONE blends Japanese maritime expertise with digital modernization and a customer-focused service model.

Evergreen Marine, headquartered in Taoyuan, Taiwan, is the seventh-largest container shipping company, operating approximately 1.79 million TEU across about 225 vessels. The company reported revenue of around TWD 463 billion (approximately $14–15 billion) in 2024. Evergreen is a core member of the Ocean Alliance and operates strong services on Asia–Europe, Trans-Pacific, Mediterranean, and Intra-Asia routes.

It is known for its large “Ever” class vessels, including ships like the Ever Given, Ever Ace, and Ever Glory. Following the Suez Canal incident in 2021 involving Ever Given, Evergreen has focused on strengthening operational efficiency and resilience. Under the leadership of Chairman Chang Yen-I, the company continues to modernize its fleet with LNG-ready and energy-efficient vessels while investing in port terminals in Taiwan, Europe, and North America.

HMM, headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, is the eighth-largest container shipping company with a fleet capacity of about 913,000 TEU across more than 80 vessels. The company reported revenue of approximately KRW 11.7 trillion (around $9 billion) in 2024. Led by CEO Kim Kyung-bae, HMM operates primarily on the Asia–Europe and Trans-Pacific trade lanes and is part of the Premier Alliance.

The company gained attention for introducing some of the world’s largest container ships — 24,000 TEU-class vessels — which helped improve its competitiveness. HMM is also investing in methanol-powered and dual-fuel vessels to meet global emission reduction targets. Its recovery from financial hardship in 2016 to profitability today highlights strong support from the South Korean government, improved cost management, and growing export volumes from Korean manufacturing sectors.

ZIM, based in Haifa, Israel, is the ninth-largest container carrier globally, operating a fleet of about 781,000 TEU across roughly 130 vessels, most of which are chartered. ZIM reported revenue of approximately $8.43 billion in 2024. Under the leadership of CEO Eli Glickman, the company focuses on flexible and high-value trade lanes rather than global scale.

ZIM is especially active on the Trans-Pacific, Asia-Mediterranean, and express e-commerce routes. It was also one of the first container lines to invest heavily in LNG-powered ships to lower fuel costs and emissions. By using an asset-light model and data-driven pricing strategies, ZIM remains agile and adaptable to freight market changes, allowing it to quickly shift capacity based on demand.

Yang Ming Marine Transport, headquartered in Keelung, Taiwan, ranks tenth globally with a fleet capacity of approximately 711,000 TEU across around 98 vessels. The company generated about NTD 222 billion (around $6.9 billion) in revenue in 2024 and is led by Chairman Tsai Feng-Ming. Yang Ming is a member of the Premier Alliance and operates services on Asia–Europe, Trans-Pacific, and Intra-Asia routes.

In recent years, the company has focused on improving operational efficiency and financial performance by optimizing charter agreements and modernizing its fleet. Its new vessel orders include LNG-capable and energy-efficient ships designed to meet stricter environmental standards. While smaller than Evergreen or COSCO, Yang Ming remains significant in global trade, particularly for Taiwan’s electronics and manufacturing exports.