Last updated: 23 October 2026

Almost everything you buy has travelled on a container ship, and most of those ships belong to just ten companies. These giants move the world’s trade, and some of them also carry a small number of passengers on their cargo ships. Here are the biggest shipping companies in the world in 2026, ranked by fleet capacity.

Approximate operating capacity in mid-2026, based on Alphaliner fleet data. A TEU is one twenty-foot equivalent unit, the size of a standard 20ft container. Figures change monthly.

Together, the top ten control about 85% of global container capacity, and the top four hold more than half.

The top five at a glance

1. MSC

The world’s biggest container line since 2022, family-owned and still growing fast. MSC also runs MSC Cruises, one of the largest cruise lines.

2. Maersk

The Danish group was number one for decades. It now focuses on end-to-end logistics as well as ocean shipping, and is investing in methanol-fuelled ships.

3. CMA CGM

A French family-owned group that has grown through acquisitions, including APL and CEVA Logistics. It has been one of the fastest-growing carriers in 2026. CMA CGM ships are among the best-known for taking passengers.

4. COSCO Shipping

China’s state-owned giant, which owns OOCL. It is a member of the Ocean Alliance with CMA CGM and Evergreen.

5. Hapag-Lloyd

Germany’s largest container line, based in Hamburg. Since 2025 it has partnered with Maersk in the Gemini Cooperation.

Shipping alliances explained

Most big lines share ships and routes in alliances or partnerships, which affects the routes and ports you’ll see.

Which shipping companies take passengers?

Some of these companies’ ships carry a small number of paying passengers in officer-style cabins. This is freighter travel. Availability changes often by route and ship, and bookings are usually made through specialist agents.

• CMA CGM: well known for passenger cabins on selected routes.
• Other lines and ship owners: some German and European owners operate ships under charter that also take passengers.
• Grimaldi: an Italian ro-ro line, outside the top ten container lines, that sells passenger cabins on its cargo ships to West Africa and South America.

Read more: how much does a container ship cost, biggest ships in the world, freight ship types and shipping container sizes.

Travel on a working cargo ship

You can see these giants up close as a passenger. Read life on a container ship on the Atlantic and cargo ship travel from the UK to the USA.

Frequently asked questions