Biggest Shipping Companies in the World
Bulk import and export wouldn’t have been possible without the biggest shipping companies in the world. Thanks to some of the prodigious efforts of a bunch of people who scaled up the economy of the world by establishing magnificent shipping companies in the world. These are the companies that run shipping lines across the world and facilitate trade between countries.
Large shipping companies are the soul of the industry and administer the vessels that sometimes have goods and, at times, passengers on jaunts. They abridge the gap between manufacturers, traders, and consumers. Shipping companies also operate bulk shipping, special cargo, and container shipping.
Shipping companies also offer logistic facilities like warehousing, delivery, and inventory management. Some of the world’s shipping companies are also involved in port operations. In this blog, we will explore some of the Biggest shipping companies in the world.
Top Sea Shipping Companies
- Maersk—Founded in 1904, it is headquartered in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is one of the most prominent container shipping companies in the world, providing complete logistics services like warehousing, supply chain management, etc. It also owns container terminals and operates them via APM Terminals. Maersk Company also deals in the oil and gas industry.
- As per 2025 reports, Maersk owns and operates 700 vessels.
- It operates in over 130 nations.
- It is a top shipping company with annual revenue of over $60 billion.
- It has committed to net-zero emissions by 2050.
Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)
MSA is a Switzerland based shipping company founded in 1970 and is operating all over the world, thereby, facilitating trade. Additionally, it has a headquarter in Geneva. that deals in terminal logistics and shipping services providing complete solution for trade. Furthermore, it is owns latest technology aided ships ensuring safety and swift services. With vessels of various sizes and kinds, MSC serves personalized services to its clients.
Safety and quality are paramount at MSC, with stringent protocols to ensure the secure handling of goods.
- As of 2025, MSC runs 600 vessels fleet all over the world.
- It also owns 250 container ships, which is the biggest container fleet in the world.
- His fleet includes ultra-large container vessels with a capacity of 23,000 TEUs capacity.
- It almost serves 6 continents.
- The company is inclined towards environmental protection with the introduction of greener technologies.
CMA CGM
Known for being the most reasonable shipping company, CMA CGM is a renowned shipping company. It is France France-based shipping company with headquarters in Marseille. Moreover, it provides logistics support, transportation services, and terminal management. Additionally, its fleet involves specialized vessels, bulk carriers, and container ships.
- CMA CGM drives a fleet of over 500 vessels as per data of 2025.
- It owns more than 200 container ships with 23,000 TEUs.
- It facilitates trade in more than 160 and 400 countries and ports.
- It also runs liner services.
- It has invested in LNG-powered vessels.
COSCO Shipping
COSCO is a China-based shipping company with headquarter in Shanghai, China. Moreover, it is the most leading shipping and logistics company that underwent merger. Additionally, it is one of the largest fleet companies globally with 1535 vessels with a capacity of 130 million DWT.
- It owns 542 vessels with 3.39 million TEU capacity.
- It also runs 468 boats, which have the potential of 49.83 million DWT.
- It has specialized 468 vessels having 32.80 DWT capacity.
- Specialized cargo vessel strength is 2027 with 67.88 million DWT.
Hapag-Lloyd
Hapag-Llyod is Germany origin company known for its new-age and sturdy shipping keys. Furthermore, it possesses tailored services with a focus on the needs of customers. Additionally, it also deals in logistics and cargo and facilitates smooth trading opportunities. It owns –
- 300 vessels with a container capacity of 2.3 million TEUs.
- It maintains vessels of different sizes, such as large, mid-size, intermediate, and small vessels.
ONE Ocean Network Express
Ocean Network Express developed from three Japan-based companies merging. This is a container transportation firm with environmental focus. It guarantees to span whole logistic solutions.
- The shipping company ONE operates 259 container vessels with a capacity of 1.9 million TEU.
- Out of its total fleet, it is proprietor of 165 chartered and 94 owned ships.
- It serves more than 120 countries of nations and fosters trade.
- It has adopted a green strategy.
Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation
Based in Taiwan, China, it asserts low-price models shipping services. Moreover, it was founded in 1972, with it’s headquarter in Keelung. Additionally, it is one of the largest shipping company presenting variety of vessels suitable for all kids of cargo. This company is ranked at 10th spot in terms of largest container shipping company.
- It facilitates shipping through its 99 vessels with a total cargo handling potential of 8.201
- Its container ships have a capacity of 14,000 TEU
- It also operates carriers for bulk.
Hyundai Merchant Marine
Hyundai Merchant Marine is almost 50 years old company established in 1976. With the chief office in Seol, it is leading player in the realm of shipping with far-fetched network. It operates on more than 100 ports serving on 40 routes approximately. It owns a wide variety of fleets with tanker, bulk, etc, shipping services.
- Its fleet involves 62 self-owned and 21 chartered, with a total strength of around 83 vessels.
- It also runs bulk carriers with 50K to 100K DWT, whereas its product tanker has a capacity of 50,000 DWT.
- It is also focussing on eco-friendly vessels to safeguard the environment.
Pacific International Lines (PIL)
Based in Singapore, PIL is a leading name worldwide, especially in the Asia-Pacific region. It was founded in 1967 and has a chief office in Singapore. PIL facilitates trade in more than 500 locations across Asia, China, Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, Oceania, and the Pacific Islands. Its services are available in more than 500 ports in 100 countries worldwide.
- As per March 2024 reports, it serves a fleet of 89 container vessels with a total capacity of 295,567 TEUs.
- It is ranked 12 container shipping endeavor in the world.
- In 2024, it introduced dual-fuel container vessels.
ZIM Integrated Shipping Services
ZIM is the acronym for the leading Israel-based shipping company known for its new introduction of approach in the world of shipping. The technology-integrated company was established in 1945. It has headquarters in Haifa, and its fleet composition involves –
- 145 total number of vessels on Dec 2024.
- Its fleet comprises of LNG Dual-Fuel Vessels, additional vessels
Wan Hai Lines
Wan Hai Lines is a Taiwan-based company with its headquarters in Taipei City Taiwan. It is one of the leading shipping companies known for its customized solutions and flexible approach.
- The total number of fleet runs operated by it is 112 vessels, of which the company has 110 proprietary ships and 2 chartered ships.
- It possesses container ships of 1,000-3000 TEU, 3000-5000TEU and 5000 above TEU.
- It operates on 20 routes.
Hamburg Süd
It was founded in 1871 and has head quarter in Hamburg. Hamburg is a subsidiary of Maersk and a Germany-based shipping company. Apart from operating fleet, the company also extend auxiliary services of logistics, container transportation and cargo management.
- Total Vessels: As of 2024, Maersk Line operates over 700 vessels.
- The total capacity of its fleet is 4.1 million TEU as per
- Based on the 2016 statistics, Hamburg has 48 owned and 68 chartered container ships.
OOCL (Orient Overseas Container Line)
Established in 1969, Orient overseas container Line (OOCL) has a headquarter in Hong Kong. Renowned for its logistical services across the globe is this shipping corporation. It provides a selection of fleets with 24,188 TEU capacity range.
- OOCL possesses G-class and M-class vessels with a capacity of 21,413 TEU.
- It has ten vessels of M class with a carrying capacity of a maximum of 13208.
- It runs 78 weekly services in Asia, the Indian subcontinent, the Mediterranean, the Middle East, New Zealand, and Australia.
NYK Line (Nippon Yusen Kaisha)
Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK Line), is a Japanese shipping company founded in 1885. Moreover, it is a leading shipping company with a range of fleets enhancing trade across the world. In addition, it, along with logistics solutions, provides transportation services as well.
- As of March 2019, NYK Lines runs around 776 vessels involving car carriers, LNG carriers, bulk carriers, etc.
- The company operates 115 container ships with a capacity of up to 14000 TEU.
- It maintains containers of NYK Vega-class, NYK Adonis, NYK Bird –Class.
K Line (Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha)
Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha, Ltd, also called the "K" Line, was established in 1919. It is one of the top transport companies that maintains a diverse fleet. Its fleet collection contains bulk carriers and oil tankers: car carrier, thermal coal carrier, containetr ships, LNG carrier and offshore support vessels. In 2018, "K" Line with MOL and MYK formed Ocean Network Express (ONE).
- As reported in 2024, the K line port runs approximately 453 fleet of vessels.
- Before ONE formation, it has 235 vessels with a collective capacity of 1.84 million TEU.
- It endorses green efforts.
MOL (Mitsui O.S.K. Lines)
Established in 1884, MOL is a Japan based shipping company with its head quarter in Tokyo. Furthermore, it competes with the largest companies in terms of its size, operations and services. Additionally, Its fleet composition involves 809 vessels with the complete carrying capacity of 1.5 million TEUs. It ranks seventh in the list of largest shipping companies in the world.
- Its fleet composition involves tankers, LNG Carriers, car carriers, container ships, RoRo ships, and Dry Bulker.
- Its Container ship classes involve MOL Triumph, MOL Bravo-Class, MOL Meastro Class, and MOL creation class.
- 2018, its merger with "K" Line, NYK Line, resulted in Ocean Network Express (ONE).
Avail the services of the biggest shipping companies in the world at cost-effective rates and timely delivery of your cargo to any part of the world. Reach us at +91-9311595648 or cargodeal@falconfreight.com.
Few More Growing Shipping Companies In The World The 2M Alliance
2M Alliance was formed from the collaboration of MSC and MAERSK. The collaboration has introduced competitive prices and enhanced the services. Furthermore, these two shipping companies optimized the sharing of vessels on the trade routes, thereby increasing the frequency of ships.
- Shared between Maersk and MSC, 2 M Alliance operates around 400 vessels.
- It possesses a 5 million TEU capacity.
- With the collaboration of the two, 2M Alliance offers 140 weekly services.
- The alliance will end in 2025.
Antong Holdings (QASC)
Antong Holdings (QASC) is a China-based shipping company that is experienced in domestic freight transportation. It runs an array of vessels of different sizes up to 60,000 deadweight tons(DWT). It runs 84 vessels. Apart from shipping, it also extends logistics, ship management, freight forwarding, and warehousing amenities. The shipping company is fascinated by innovation and emphasises green infrastructure and practices.
X-Press Feeders Group to MOL (Mitsui O.S.K. Lines)
It is marked as top-notch shipping company of Japan with extended services of logistics also. It majorly facilitates shipping services between America, Europe and Asia. Its fleet involves various kinds of vessels from car carrier, container, tanker and specialized vessels.
SM Line Corporation
This is a South Korean shipping corporation with more than thirty varied fleets tailored to handle various sorts of goods. Small-sized ships and Pana-max class vessels comprise its fleet. Usually it runs throughout Asia Pacific, Europe, and North America.
Arkas Line
It is a Turkish shipping line with more than 20 vessels. The line performs well in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe trade. It is known to be innovative and attempting to assist the environment.
Matson Navigation Company
It was founded by William Matson in 1882 in San Francisco City, California.
Matson was founded in 1882 by William Matson in San Francisco, California. It operates over 20+ ships, including RoRo, container, post-Panamax, and Panamax ships.
Transworld Group
Transworld Group deals in shipping and logistics services. It majorly focuses on shipping routes in the Middle East and India. It also operates on global trade routes in Asia, Africa and Europe.
Transworld Group – Shipping Routes
Transworld Group’s shipping routes span various global regions, with a primary focus on India, the Middle East, and key international trade lanes such as Asia, Europe, and Africa. Moreover, the company is well-known for its intra-Asia and India-centric services but also operates in global markets.
Going for the Right Shipping Partner
Finding the premium shipping company for yourself is highly important not just for your trade expansion and smooth sailing. Moreover, the right partner can be of immense help in navigating all the difficulties of import and export. Here's a brief guide to finding the right shipping partner for yourself.
Check credibility and its services.
The foremost factor that would affect your shipping experience is quality of services. Moreover, an authentic company accentuate to cater the premium services by timely competition of all the conditions that are required to be complied with.
Check Cost-Effectiveness
It is important to check the prices quotes to you. Comparing prices by different companies would help in making the right decision. In Fact a reasonable priced services will optimized not just shipping expenses but also shipping experience.
Bespoke services –
It is important to find a bespoke service provider who can give you customized experience suiting your needs. Moreover, one formula cannot be the solution to every issue. Therefore, look for a tailored experience provider.
Conclusion
Knowing and availing the services of chief players of shipping industry is highly essential for your business. Moreover, partnering with a reliable partner improves your operational efficiency, curbs costs and enhances service delivery to international clients.
Contact Falcon to hire the biggest shipping companies in the world for the timely delivery of your cargo to any part of the world. Reach us at +91-9311595648 or cargodeal@falconfreight.com