Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC) has knocked Maersk from the top slot of the world’s largest container line, according to analyst Alphaliner.
Latest figures from Alphaliner show MSC edging ahead of Maersk for the first time by 1,888 TEUs. MSC has 645 ships with a combined capacity of 4,284,728 TEUs, compared to Maersk with 738 ships with 4,282,840 TEUs in capacity.
MSC had been expected to overtake Maersk as the world’s largest container line for some time given both its large newbuild orderbook and acquisition of secondhand and chartered tonnage in recent times.
Both lines hold a market share of 17% at present and are significantly larger than their nearest rival CMA CGM a 12.6% share and 3.17m TEUs of capacity.
MSC is set to considerably extend its lead over Maersk in capacity in the coming years with an orderbook of 60 newbuilds, just shy of 1m TEUs in capacity, or 23% of its current fleet. By contrast, Maersk’s orderbook stands at 6% of its current fleet with 25 ships totaling 255,100 TEUs in capacity.
Much of Maersk’s expansion and investment over the last 12 months has focused on logistics and e-commerce related fulfillment rather than physical assets of containerships.
Source: seatrade-maritime
