I've been having a bit of a mini-drama regarding the accuracy of a statement from a December 21 post:
MSC just passed Maersk as the largest container shipping company by container capacity although Maersk is larger based on revenues and net income....
Yesterday The Loadstar stated Maersk was larger by 12,500 TEU's of capacity: 4,279,305 to 4,266,805 for MSC.
However, after reviewing the film, the Stewards Enquiry gives the nod to Climateer (more accurately, to our source). From Hellenic Shipping News, January 6, 2021:
Global ocean fleet statistics of Alphaliner show that the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) is now the world’s largest ocean carrier by operated container vessel capacity.
Some 52 years after its foundation in 1970, MSC, the long-term number two, today on 5 January 2022 overtook Maersk Group of Denmark as the world’s biggest container line.
As of today, MSC deploys a fleet of 645 container ships with a total capacity of 4,284,728 teu. The company therewith holds a global market share of 17.0%.
Contrary to most other major ocean carriers, which reached their positions in the top-ten through series of mergers and acquisitions, MSC’s rise to the top was entirely organic.
In recent years, MSC has shown a strong growth, mainly through the phase-in of large newbuilt container vessels. Since 2020, the Swiss company has also grown significantly through the rapid acquisition of 128 secondhand container vessels: An unprecedented number in shipping history.In the first quarter of 2022, MSC is expected to close its first carrier acquisition and buy a 67% majority stake in the Brazilian regional and domestic shipping and logistics firm Log-In Logistica. This will add a further ca. 15,000 teu of capacity to the fleet of MSC Group.
Starting out in 1970 with a German-built second-hand vessel of just 2,900 dwt, acquired from Hapag-Lloyd and renamed PATRICIA, MSC flourished and over the years developed into a massive group....
....MUCH MORE
For folks with an interest in the industry the above story also links to Alphaliner TOP 100 / 06 Jan 2022 with CMA CGM; COSCO; and Hapag-Lloyd rounding out the top five and everyone else down to Irish Continental Group at #100 with 5502 TEU capacity on 6 ships.
