Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has extended its lead over A P Moller-Maersk, reaching a record share of global container fleet capacity, according to the latest data from shipping consultancy Alphaliner.
MSC controlled 21.5% of global container fleet capacity in May, the highest market share ever achieved by a container shipping line, says the report. The figure surpasses the previous record of 19.3% held by Maersk in 2018.
MSC is the only carrier among the world's top 10 container lines to reach a new market-share high this year, says Alphaliner. The Geneva-based carrier has effectively doubled its share of global fleet capacity since 2010.
The gap between MSC and Maersk has continued to widen as the Danish carrier pursues a different growth strategy, according to the consultancy. Maersk's share of global container capacity had declined to 13.7% in May, its lowest level since the company's acquisition of P&O Nedlloyd in 2005.
According to the consultancy, the decline reflects Maersk's decision to cap its fleet capacity at between 4.1 million and 4.3 million TEUs since early 2024. Rather than pursuing market-share growth, the company has focused on expanding its integrated logistics business and replacing existing tonnage with newer, lower-emission vessels. This strategy has resulted in a gradual decline in Maersk's share of overall capacity.
