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10 Largest Container Shipping Companies in the World in 2021

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 [Updated Dec 2020] Container shipping is one of the most important and necessary means of cargo transportation through sea routes.

In present times, however, there does not exist any monopoly by anyone of the container shipping companies leading to a complete lack of friction and tension in the international cargo shipping community.

All the same, there are a few international container shipping companies that lead the race in terms of the scale of operation of their shipping lines.

Ten of these leading container shipping companies on the basis of cargo carrying capacity can be listed down as follows:

1. APM-Maersk

APM-Maersk

Credits: Maersk Group/flikr.com

A shipping corporation based in Denmark, Maersk Shipping Line is a branch of the AP Moller- Maersk company. Widely well-known for its fleet of container ships, the Maersk Line made its debut in the international container shipping arena in the year 1904. At present, the company has a fleet of around 705 container ships with a capacity of around 40, 97,480 TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units).

2. MSC – Mediterranean Shipping Company

MSC

Credits: eurogate.de

The Mediterranean Shipping Company, abbreviated to MSC is a Swiss international cargo company which was established in the year 1970. At present, with a vessel line-up of over 550 container ships, the conglomerate is rated to be one of the most extensive cargo companies in the world with TEU capacity of around 3,860,000.

3. COSCO – China Ocean Shipping Company

COSCO

Credits: AlfvanBeem /wikipedia.org

The China Ocean Shipping Company or COSCO, as it is popularly known as, is one of the leading conglomerates in terms of container shipping companies. At present, the company’s operations are spread over 40 countries with a fleet of 500 container ships with a container carrying capacity of 30,22,882 TEU.

4. CMA-CGM

CMA-CGM

Credits: cma-cgm.com

France’s leading container shipping company, CMA-CGM came into existence in the year 1978, as a result of a series of mergers between previously established shipping corporations. Jacques Saade who is the head of the company was the instrumental force behind its coming into active operation. At present, the company has a fleet of over 560 ships operating in over 150 routes globally. It has a carrying capacity of around 30,15,200 TEU.

5. Hapag-Lloyd

Hapag-Lloyd

Credits: hapag-lloyd.com

The German-based Hapag-Lloyd is one of the most renowned and well-featured companies in terms of international shipping companies. The company was established in the year 1970 as a result of a merger between the Hamburg-American Line and the North German company Lloyd. Today the shipping corporation has over 235 ships catering to about 17,24, 565 TEU container carrying capacity on a worldwide scale.

6. ONE  – Ocean Network Express

Ocean Network Express

Image Credit: one-line.com

Established on July 7th, 2017, One Network Express is an integration of three major shipping companies, MOL, “K”-Line, and NYK. Setup in Japan and headquartered in Singapore, ONE was founded to strengthen services in Asia, Latin America and Africa. The alliance of these three companies resulted in a combined fleet of 218 vessels with a container carrying capacity of 15,71,702 TEU, making it one of the largest container shipping companies in the world.

7. Evergreen Line

Evergreen Line

Credit: NOAA

A shipping conglomerate based in Taiwan, the Evergreen Marine Corporation was founded in 1968 by Dr. Yung-Fa Chang, a visionary in his own right. At present, the company has offices established all over the world and with an operational capacity of more than 95 container ships and container carrying capacity of 12,79,000 TEU,  is regarded to be one of the largest cargo shipping companies in the world.

8. Hyundai Merchant Marine

Hyundai Merchant Marine

Image Credits: wikimedia.org

Hyundai Merchant Marine is a leading container shipping company based in South Korea. With a fleet of 72 vessels and cargo carrying capacity of over 719,000 TEU,, Hyundai Merchant Marine is one of the largest shipping companies in the world, moving the largest portion of South Korea’s exports. Being a top integrated logistics company in the world, HMM plays an important role in Korea’s economic development.

9. Yang Ming Marine Transport

Yang Ming Marine Transport

Representation Image Credits: wikimedia.com

Based in Keelung, Taiwan, Yang Ming Marine Transport is one of the oldest and largest shipping companies in the world. Established in 1972, the company provide services across Asia, Europe, America, and Australia with a fleet of 92 vessels. It has a container carrying capacity of around 623,000 TEU.

10  Zim Integrated Shipping Services Ltd

Zim Integrated Shipping Services Ltd., commonly known as ZIM is an Israeli international cargo shipping company. It was founded in 1945 as the ZIM Palestine Navigation Company Ltd. Currently, ZIM has a fleet of 80 ships with a total container carrying capacity of 3,56,000 TEUs, making it one of the top 10 container shipping companies in the world.

ZIM Tianjin

ZIM Tianjin – Credits: gaports.com

Container shipping is a huge industry and these key players are aware of the minutest operational manoeuvrings necessary to power them to be the world leaders in the commercial enterprise, not just in their home countries but also at an international level.

Reference: Alphaliner / Individual container shipping website.

Disclaimer: The authors’ views expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of Marine Insight. Data and charts, if used, in the article have been sourced from available information and have not been authenticated by any statutory authority. The author and Marine Insight do not claim it to be accurate nor accept any responsibility for the same. The views constitute only the opinions and do not constitute any guidelines or recommendation on any course of action to be followed by the reader.

The article or images cannot be reproduced, copied, shared or used in any form without the permission of the author and Marine Insight. 

 

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Comments

  1. Vikram says

    You have not listed the companies in the order of their size. Check out AXS Alphaliner – Top 100 operated fleets

    For quite some time, Maersk was No.1. Since 2010, however, MSC has moved into the No.1 slot (rated for carrying max number of Containers).

    Your very first entry, NYK, is one of the smallest !

  2. Gene says

    I agree with you vikram….this still good info though….I never thought that Evergreen is also a chinese company…I think this is europeean

  4. sudhakar S says

    Hi All,

    on what basis the ranking is given could you pls tell us.
    And which is one is the number one slot.

    Regards, Sudhakar S

  6. John Christense says

    Guess Evergreen is from Taiwan! What do you mean by “largest”? Most TEU, largest turnover, most ships…?
    Regards John

  7. Vikram Dutta says

    Hi John..Evergreen is the group of four shipping companies i.e. Evergreen Marine Corp. (Taiwan) Ltd., Italia Marittima S.p.A., Evergreen Marine (UK)Ltd. and Evergreen Marine (Hong Kong) Ltd.

    Regards
    Vikram

  10. Pravin says

    Hi vikram do u think really MSC (only) has a large vessel to carry max number of containers?……if yes its a real JOKE….

  11. James says

    “7. APL: An auxiliary company to the Singaporean Orient Shipping Lines, APL is an abbreviation for American President Lines. ”

    APL is owned by neptune orient lines, a singaporean company

  12. omunyin emuu bisansio says

    Please my i know which company has never mergers & rakend the best.
    Thanks/Rgds.
    Emuu.

  13. Anoop Sharma says

    hiii..
    can any one tell me that what is the procedure to get the sponsorship for 12 pass candidates ??

  15. Gangesh Jha says

    Good Day Emmu,

    That is MSC only, which has achieved such a spectacular growth internally, through organic growth, rather than through acquisition and mergers.
    @ Mr. Praveen, request to read what Mr. Vikram conveyed, he has clearly mentioned that it is an evaluation for containers slot availability with all the ships being operated by MSC compared to the same of every other shipping companies mentioned right down here, reather than a single vessel’s carrying capacity such as MSC Daniela Class or MAERSK E Class. Ofcourse I agree with you that such ultra large vessels are with a few more shipping companies.
    Looking forward for you to boost up your understanding capabilities of a statement, and then to move up for comments.

    Many Thanks And Best Regards,
    Gangesh

  17. Dipankar Mishra says

    AP Moller Maersk! Line the grt Company
    They Provide Door to Door Service n a get Payment System

  21. sujaan singh parmar says

    I want to join shipping camny…. i m BCAS(beuro of civil avation security) certified screener..

  22. PRADEEP says

    HY ALL,
    CAN ANYONE ADVISE ME I WANT TO WORK IN A SHIPPING LINE.WT I HAVE TO DO FOR THIS.
    CURRENTLY I M WORKING AS AN EXPORT SERVICE EXECUTIVE IN A SHIPPING SERVICES PVT. LTD. COMPANY.
    REGARDS,
    PRADEEP

  23. Gaurav Patel says

    i am doing MBA in Shipping management i would like to do my training in shipping line.

    With regards

    Gaurav Patel
    09898039941

  27. Stephen Bivin says

    All the research I have done has told me that the Greek Marine Navy is the largest fleet and moves the most tonnage of any shipping outfit in the world. But some how thw y werent even in the top 10 on this list. Something is fishy in Denmark.

  28. Tommie says

    I’m on the lookout for some applicable shipping report bloging to add to my bing reader that are worthwhile after on an ongoing basis.
    Can you offer recommendations? I am currently getting the Baltic Freight rates Index.
    Thanks!It would also be helpful if you told me why you
    find this reports beneficial.

  30. cathy says

    I’m looking for a shipping company that I have heard referred to as ” The Company” I know it was over in Singapore I can not find any listing or anything regarding this shipping company-please if anyone can help me get a phone number or address/location I would be grateful. And if anyone could direct me to a manual on the life at sea-I would appreciate it-I met a gentlemen that has a son and this gentlemen has passed away but before passing away he gave custody of his son to me and I would just like some answers to questions that seem to pop in my mind constintaly and I don’t want to get misdirected since I have no ideal about the “sailers” life. This young boy now has lost his mother in New York and now he has lost his father-so I just want to give him the best life that any child deserves. If anyone can help me please I beg for mercy. Thank You

  31. moro surish says

    SADLY TO SAY THAT MAERSKLINE IS A BIG COMPANY, BUT SMALL SALARY IN SEAFARERS. tsk..tsk.. 🙁

  32. Purnendu says

    Hi,

    If any one can help me with the information container manufacture in India who uses plywood container flooring.

    Regards
    Purnendu

  35. NETAKALKHUBARAA says

    I want to be an agent for one of the container companies in Saudi Arabia
    Who has the desire to do so I hope to communicate on mobile 966555968455

  36. Rohit.shinde says

    Hi.
    Im Rohit.shinde,im looking for a job in container ships.
    I have 9 months exp I’m from india

  37. Sridharan says

    Pradeep

    I would suggest joining an FMCG or Automotive companies would be an ideal, where the growth is moderate and consisetent unlike Shipping GSCs especially captive units.
    There are many individuals who have lost their job due to wrong and over projection of profits to their head quarter at Demnark.

    Due to over projection, the larger captive BPO resulted in sending 100s and 100s of their employees in one evening.

    Unfortunately, in today’s scenario, Indian Government does not have hold in questioning these off-shore companies who have BPOs in Chennai.

  38. Johannes says

    Thanks for the work you are doing.I want to ship my stone art from South Africa to Australia.

  40. Neber says

    I am ambitious to work either on board or a shore on any shipping company and especially on Saudi Arabian shipping company her in USA in Baltimore port

  41. Alik says

    I have transportation company in Florida, looking forward to be as an agent of one of these companies. Any advice please?

  42. Gavisiddappa says

    I am looking for a job ….any job general work.. am from India (karnataka)
    In the Job 4years exp…Plz Contact…
    My mobile No:- 9743117809

  43. Mohd zahari says

    Hi anyone,
    Please help, im looking 40’HC used container.
    Units to buy is minimum 6 units
    Asking price below usd800 per unit
    Appreciate your helps.

  44. Mohd zahari says

    Hi everybody,
    Please help I’m wanted to buy second hand good condition 40′ HC container.
    Info or sellers may contact me thru WhatApps +60139511234.
    My budget is USD800 per unit.

  45. mark liner says

    hello looking for schools training employment willing to work and travel call anytime at mark liner at 314-540-0144

  46. gokul raj says

    pls tell how to join in a vesel as 5 th engineer.is any job available in any companies.pls offer me A job.it will good to my future life.i will finsih my marine enginer study in one year

  47. Midhun.R says

    my name is midhun am completed presea training and deckcadet is any vacancy in any cl me 7593940462

  48. E-tiana Ventures Ltd says

    I am a chandler, how can get all these vessels email address, so that i can send them mail to see if they can send us quotation for supply to their vessels.

  50. khoi says

    my i ask for. what’s the fastest time for a container from the southeast of the united state to asia or to vietnam?

  51. B Sai sujith says

    hii .
    I am B. Sai Sujith i am complete GP Rating and have a indian CDC PLZ join your ships
    This is my contact number :- 9553895032, 8179565489

  52. jesu raj says

    i loves shipping business……………Courage is greater then Experience and Study.

  53. Ardhendu Panda says

    Hi.
    I am Ardhendu Panda,i am looking for a job in container ships.I have 10 years experience in Container inspection and Load testing.I’m from India, pls contact +91 9570128465

  54. orly francisco says

    hai to all company
    i just want to ask how to apply on ship company?? what is the needed requirments for applying as a welder?? im from in the philippines. thank you for the help..

  55. Rajan kumar says

    Hi I am merchant navy lover
    Searching for job after completion my engineering in electronics and implementation engineering.

  56. tarik abd elkarim mhmud says

    hiii
    iam broker from Egypt I have some contracts for cargo how can contact with ships

  58. Mohamed Haroon says

    Hello sir, This is Mohamed Haroon i completed be marine engg and i lookoing for a job as tme..if any vacancies pls contact
    Thank you

  59. Troel Raynard says

    You can’t even give Taiwan a little bit of credit? C’mon, everyone knows that Evergreen is Taiwanese, and only China really disagrees.

  60. REG STEWART says

    Good day

    We are looking for a company that wants to manufacture shipping container homes here in South Africa

  61. Ashutosh kumar bhardwaj says

    Sir, I have Indian CDC. And Sir, I have Indian CDC and Indian passport, how do I join a ship now to join the ship?

  62. Dibaka Biswas says

    Looking for job in container ship, I have 10years experience in gally pls give me contact mail id

  63. MR.RAO says

    HAVE A GOOD DAY.

    MP MARINE SERVICES MALAYSIA
    WE DOING DE-SLOPING AND DE-SLUDGING AT MALAYSIA WESTPORTS , NORTPORT AND SOUTHPORT.
    IF ANY COMPANYS SEACRHING FOR DE-SLUDGING / DE-SLOPING SERVICE MEAN CAN CONTACT US BY : +60162503204
    EMAIL : mani_mpmarineservices@yahoo.com

  64. Anton says

    Just wanna share that there is a liar shipping company in ukraine its name is FLEET GMCL. They r cooparation with pilla global sarl ltd. They lied to their customers

  65. Anton says

    I just wanna share, there is shipping company in ukraine, that they r a liar. they cooparation with pilla global sarl ltd

  66. Jesse James says

    Why are people asking for jobs in a 3rd part wriiten article? Why wouldn’t you check individual websites & fill out proper paperwork?

  68. Stanis says

    Hi I stanis lomuien from PAPUA NEW GUINEA I am currently study GP Deck rating at PNG MARITIME COLLEGE will be graduate at this year in the month of August and very interested to work with your shipping company looking forward to hear good from you thankyou very much..

  72. KELU CHARAN PRADHAN says

    Hi
    I am M.COM in Finance and also 8 months work experience in shipping line as a documetions excutive in a suveyor company.I want to join in shipping line. Please suggest me.

  75. Saad Ahmed says

    InshallAllah I’ll launch my own biggest shipping service in the world which beat every company in the field.

  76. valin says

    Anyone can help me to find the shipping lines who can bring charcoal? origin from batam island, Indonesia

  77. Karri yugesh says

    Sir my self karri yugesh from India
    I completed my GP rating course BIMT from India in andhra Pradesh
    Iam very poor family so please help
    Any job offer I can do it any work in ship
    My number +917382588093
    FITTER
    Gp rating

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