Maersk Line has retained its top spot in the latest Alphaliner ranking of shipping lines based on capacity and number of vessels, but MSC appears to be closing the gap.
The list, released today, reveals that Maersk has total TEU capacity of 4 138 241 (with 712 vessels) followed by MSC with 3 855 928 TEUs and 579 vessels.
Last year Maersk came in with 4 192 742 TEUs and 707 vessels with MSC at 3 766 049 and 565 container ships.
Cosco has ramped up its capacity – 3 041 955 TEUs and 507 vessels compared to 2 938 030 and 481 ships last year, while CMA CGM totals 2 997 654 TEUs and 654 vessels compared to 2695 863 and 507 respectively.
There are changes at the bottom of the ranking with changes in the last three - HMM, Yang Ming and Zim at 8, 9, 10 as opposed to Yang Ming, PIL and HMM last year.
