According to MDS Transmodal’s latest containership databank, 67 shipping lines operate fully cellular containerships in the container shipping industry. However, more than 87% of fleet capacity is controlled by only 10 of them, representing just fewer than 7% of the total lines.
Maersk Line lies at the top of the list. After acquiring Hamburg Süd in December 2017 it has surpassed its Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC). Maersk’s capacity is now estimated to account for over 21% of the global market.
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Before Maersk Line and MSC form the 2M Alliance starting de-facto the wave of consolidations and Mergers and Acquisitions (M&As), shares amongst the lines were more evenly spread.
Over the last four years, the top 10 shipping lines saw their combined market share increase from 68% to 83%. They have also seen their capacity increase from some 55m TEU to 86.7m TEU.
MDS Transmodal expects consolidations and M&As to continue. In fact, Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL) is to become part of COSCO this year, while the container divisions of NYK, MOL and K Line will merge, forming a joint venture called Ocean Network Express (ONE).