The global shipping industry, responsible for over 80% of international trade by volume, is dominated by a handful of shipping titans. These mega-carriers, primarily container shipping lines, manage vast fleets and transport enormous volumes of commodities, from electronics to raw materials. In 2025, the industry handled approximately 193 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), equivalent to roughly 2.3 billion tons of containerized cargo, amid challenges like geopolitical tensions and supply chain disruptions.
The Mediterranean Shipping Company, (MSC), is the world's largest carrier. As of February 2026, MSC operates 984 vessels with a capacity exceeding 7.2 million TEUs. In 2025, it transported an estimated 30 million TEUs, moving hundreds of millions of tons of goods. MSC's dominance spans key routes, including Asia-Europe via the Strait of Malacca and trans-Atlantic corridors.
A.P. Moller-Maersk, the Danish giant, ranks second with 731 vessels and 4.6 million TEU capacity. It carried about 20 million TEUs (roughly 240 million tons) in 2025, focusing on sustainability with dual-fuel ships. Maersk excels in transpacific trade, navigating the Panama Canal to connect Asia with North America.
France's CMA CGM, (Compagnie Maritime d'Affrètement (CMA) merged with Compagnie Générale Maritime (CGM), follows, boasting over 650 vessels and 4.1 million TEU capacity. It transported 23.6 million TEUs (around 283 million tons) last year, emphasizing LNG-powered fleets and expansions in emerging markets like India and Saudi Arabia.
China's COSCO Shipping, (China Ocean Shipping Company), with 557 vessels and 3.4 million TEU capacity, handled approximately 27 million TEUs (324 million tons) in 2025. As part of the Ocean Alliance, it dominates Asia-centric routes, including the busy Strait of Hormuz for energy commodities.
Germany's Hapag-Lloyd, fifth largest, operates 313 ships with 2.5 million TEU capacity and moved 13.5 million TEUs (162 million tons). It leverages the Gemini Network for efficient Europe-Asia links via the Suez Canal, despite Red Sea re-routings adding 10-15% to voyage distances.
These titans collectively transport over 100 million TEUs annually across strategic corridors like the Suez (15% of global trade), Panama (5%), and Malacca (30%). Conflict in the Strait of Hormuz prompted major shipping companies like MSC, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd to suspend transits and re-route. In April 2026 two MSC container ships were seized by the Iranians. However, COSCO seem to have had some success following Iranian prescribed routes. Insurers have since cancelled coverage for war clauses for transit through the Strait, however, re-introduced it later again at much higher premiums.