Container Giants Keep Growing What It Means for Your Customer

Despite softening freight rates and geopolitical uncertainty, the world’s largest container carriers continue expanding their fleets. In the ACM mid-year 2025 update, global shipping capacity rose by 1.18 million TEU in the first half of the year, pushing the total to 32.7 million TEU across 7,336 active vessels.

The growth may be slower than in recent years — a modest ~4% increase — but the trajectory is clear: scale still wins in this market. And the biggest players are doubling down.

MSC Leads the Pack — Again

Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) continues to outpace the rest, responsible for nearly one-third of the sector’s capacity growth in 2025. The company has expanded by 365,000+ TEU since January, largely through the delivery of 25 newbuilds and ongoing second-hand vessel acquisitions. With a total capacity of 6.6 million TEU, MSC holds a commanding lead over Maersk (4.6 million) and CMA CGM (4.0 million).

This growth is no fluke. MSC has aggressively grown its fleet year after year — +12.3% in 2024, +22% in 2023 — establishing itself as the undisputed heavyweight in global container shipping.

CMA CGM Crosses a Milestone

French carrier CMA CGM made headlines this year by surpassing the 4 million TEU mark, with a fleet of 683 ships. The company has quadrupled in size since 2009, thanks in part to strategic acquisitions like ANL and APL. With 95 vessels (1.5 million TEU) still on order, CMA CGM is closing in on Maersk — and may soon claim the industry’s number two spot.

ONE Surges Ahead

Ocean Network Express (ONE) posted the highest growth rate in the first half of 2025, expanding its capacity by nearly 6%. ONE’s current expansion reflects a strategic pivot: taking more control of its future by increasing its directly owned tonnage, rather than relying on charters.

Freight Rates Are Falling — But Fleet Orders Keep Coming

While demand has softened and freight rates have declined — particularly on Transpacific routes — carriers show no signs of slowing their long-term investments. MSC currently has the largest orderbook: 135 ships totaling 2.2 million TEU.

Advanced Client Metrics finds that “carriers are now deploying more capacity above the level required to meet shippers’ demand,” especially into the U.S. East Coast. Overcapacity may soon pressure margins, but top carriers are betting on global consolidation and long-term cost advantages.

Why This Matters for Advanced Client Metrics (ACM) Clients

Fleet size and global coverage are only part of the equation. As carriers scale up and operations become more complex, service delivery risks increase — from port delays to inconsistent communication. That’s where Advanced Client Metrics (ACM) comes in.

ACM helps global logistics firms and their clients stay ahead of service breakdowns by capturing real-time Voice of the Customer (VoC) feedback at every stage of the shipment lifecycle. With over 90% response rates, our telephone-based VoC process uncovers not only what went wrong — but what could be done better, faster, and more profitably.

Growth is good. But growth with insight is what sets leaders apart.

For more information info@advancedclientmetrics.com