[Maritime News] More than 80% of global container shipping capacity is in the hands of MSC and major shipping alliances

According to the latest report by Alphaliner, the global container shipping market is witnessing a record high level of concentration, with more than 80% of global container shipping capacity now controlled by shipping alliances together with MSC. This development continues to affirm the trend of strategic cooperation and network centralization among major shipping lines in the world.

MSC and three alliances account for more than 80% of market share

Specifically, by June 2025:

• Ocean Alliance (CMA CGM, COSCO, Evergreen, OOCL) accounts for 28.4% of capacity.

• Gemini Cooperation (Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd) holds 21.6%.

• The Premier Alliance (ONE, HMM, Yang Ming) reached 11.5%.

• MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company) – although operating independently – still controls 20.6% of global container shipping capacity.

Together, these four groups control 82.1% of the international container shipping market share, leaving less than 18% for non-alliance carriers.

Implications for independent shipping lines and supply chains

Source: Internet

The dominance of alliances and MSC not only helps optimize costs, synchronize services and expand global coverage, but also puts great pressure on small and independent shipping lines. With the remaining market share increasingly shrinking, shipping lines outside the alliance have to compete under more unfavorable conditions in terms of scale, frequency of operations and operating costs.

At the same time, this trend also poses new challenges for the global supply chain, including: price transparency, schedule stability, dependence on major shipping routes, and the risk of disruption when alliances restructure or adjust strategies.

Opportunities and directions for Vietnamese enterprises

Source: Internet

In the context of increasingly fierce global competition, closely monitoring developments in the container shipping market and understanding the role of alliances are key factors in helping logistics, seaport and transport businesses – including the VIMC ecosystem – reposition their strategies, strengthen their partner networks and enhance their international connectivity.

Investing in new-generation fleets, digitizing operational processes, and promoting cooperation with major shipping lines will be important directions for Vietnamese businesses to adapt to a deeply restructured shipping market and operate according to global alliance logic.

Container News

Source: https://vimc.co/sea-news-more-than-80-container-load-capacity-today-global-year-in-the-hands-of-msc-and-the-big-sea-alliance/