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MSC Breaks Historic 20% Market Share Barrier in Container Shipping

MSC has become the first container carrier to control more than 20% of global liner capacity. The Geneva-based operator commanded 21.5% of worldwide capacity as of May, according to market analysis, following a sustained fleet expansion effort that began during the pandemic period.

The carrier has effectively doubled its market share since 2010, with its fleet size expanding roughly twofold over the past 15 years. No competitor has previously reached such dominance, with Maersk coming closest at 19.3% in 2018.

Meanwhile, second-ranked Maersk has seen its share decline to 13.7%—its lowest level in two decades following its decision to cap global fleet capacity at 4.3 million teu from early 2024. The Danish carrier prioritized decarbonization and integrated logistics over aggressive capacity growth, ceding market position as the overall container fleet continued expanding.