Largest Container Ships

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   March 16, 2017 ,   Ships and Lines

Here, CruiseMapper gives you the ultimate list of all world's largest container ships (aka boxships) listed by shipowner/operator. Here you will also find the list of the largest container shipping companies. This survey is not a completely "off cruise" topic. Almost all large boxships offer "cargo cruises" as each vessel has staterooms (passenger capacity of at least 10 "tourists"), modern amenities and facilities (gym, whirlpool, lounge, dining room).

container ships - CruiseMapper

This article also covers all main marine shipping routes (trade loops), container shipping alliances (G6, CKYHE, 2M, Ocean 3) and largest shipping companies, including MSC, MAERSK, CMA-CGM, EVERGREEN MARINE, HAPAG-LLOYD (merged with UASC), COSCO, CSCL, HANJIN, ONE (MOL+NYK+K-LINE), HAMBURG-SUD, OOCL, APL, YANG MING, HMM-HYUNDAI, PIL.

All the above links are for your convenience and redirect to corresponding topics/company's list of vessels (below at this page). Our boxship lists are updated regularly, as soon as new vessels' names and details become available. Occasionally, we will also add here the most interesting news regarding the world's largest marine shipping companies. All news reports and updates are based on VesselFinder.com/news.

This survey is integrated with CruiseMapper's world's largest cruise lines and the world's top 50 biggest liners.

Cargo Ships

Cargo ships represent a major category of marine vessel types, including container carriers (boxships), tankers, bulkers (bulk carriers) and specialty vessels (ro-ro, livestock, reefer, etc). You can see the list of all ship types in the following infographic.

ship types (infographic)

Every boxship crew fills a precisely determined role, primarily divided between the vessel's two main departments - Navigation Bridge and Engine Room. At the top of the crew hierarchy is Captain, followed by Chief Officer and Chief Engineer. They conduct vessel's commercial shipping operations - sailing and mechanical. The other crew takes care of onboard daily routine and maintenance. Among those are Chef and Steward, plus all seamen (seafarers). On each cargo ship, main priorities are keeping the crew and cargo safe and protecting the environment.

Since 1959, the marine shipping industry is regulated by the UN's specialized agency IMO (International Maritime Organization) headquartered in Lambeth (London). Currently, IMO members are 173 states (172x UN plus Cook Islands) and 3x Associate Members (Faroes, Hong Kong, Macau).

 

"TEU capacity" definition

TEU ("twenty-foot equivalent unit") is a cargo capacity unit describing ship's (also port terminal's) capacity. TEU is based on the volume of 20 ft (6,1 m long) cargo container. Such standard-sized units (metal boxes) can be easily transported on different types of vessels (ships, trains, trucks). TEU container's height, however, can range from 4 ft (1,3 m) to 10 ft (2.90 m). Most common height is 9 ft (26 m). MSC Oscar (2015-built) has capacity 19224 TEUs, meaning it can carry up to 19224 standard containers.

"Panamax ships" definition

"Panamax" relates to the vessel's size limit if passing through Panama Canal. "Panamax" (and "New Panamax") size limits are officially published by ACP ("Panama Canal Authority") as part of its "Vessel Requirements" (also describing seasonal transition limits, marine propulsion, communications, ship designs, etc). Panama Canal ship size (width-length) limit is due to the waterway's lock chambers sizes. The draft limit is due to its water depth. The height limit is due to Bridge of the Americas' height. Panamax-New Panamax dimensions influence greatly the design of cargo vessels, navy vessels, cruise liners.

Panamax limits are since 1914. Vessels that don't fall within the limits are Post-Panamax (larger), among which supertankers, battleships, largest cargo ships, and biggest cruise liners. New Panamax sizes were defined in 2009 but took effect in 2017 when the 3rd new locks-set (largest) became operational. Since 2017, Panama Canal can be transmitted by boxships with max LOA length 366 m (1200 ft), width 49 m (161 ft), draft 15 m (50 ft), air-draft / height 57,9 m (190 ft) and TEU capacity up to 15000.

Panamax - New Panamax size cargo ships (infographic)

The above infographic shows Panamax-New Panamax size requirements, along with other canal transit limits, including:

  • Chinamax (maximum ship size when fully loaded /used when entering harbors, cargo ports, terminals)
  • Suezmax (Egypt's Suez Canal limits /connecting the Mediterranean and Red seas). Since the canal has no locks, the length is unlimited, and the requirements are only for the vessel's draft (below waterline max depth) and height (Suez Canal Bridge / aka Al-Salam Bridge).
  • Q-max ( Qatar-Max /LNG carriers maximum size for docking in Qatar)
  • Seawaymax (St Lawrence Seaway canal locks limits /connecting the Atlantic Ocean and North America's Great Lakes).

World's biggest LNG-powered boxships

The world's first LNG-powered containership was Isla Bella (launched October 16, 2015). Isla Bella and the sistership Perla del Caribe were ordered in December 2012. Until 2020, they were ranked the world's biggest boxships powered by LNG ("liquefied natural gas"). They are of the Marlin-Class - length 233 m (765 ft), TEU capacity 3100. Both container carriers operate between Florida (USA) and Puerto Rico, with departures from Jacksonville and San Juan.

LNG container ship

Both vessels are owned by TOTE Maritime (US-based shipping line). The shipbuilder is General Dynamics NASSCO (Norfolk VA / US-based shipbuilding company). Ship design is by DSME ("Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering") South Korea. The new LNG-power technology allows a drastic increase in fuel efficiency. The "green boxship" Isla Bella, as reduced air-pollution, is the equivalent of removing from the road 15700+ automobiles.

Types of container ships

In the 50s-70s, general cargo vessels and tankers were refitted to carry containers. Today, container vessels are designed to maximize TEU capacity.

  • (from 1956 to 1970) converted cargo ships (length 443 ft / 135 m; TEU 500)
  • (1956 to 1970) converted tanker ships (length 656 ft / 200 m; TEU 800)
  • (1970 to 1980) container ships (length 705 ft / 215 m; TEU 1000-2500)
  • (1980 to 1988) Panamax container ships (introducing the "bulbous bow"; length 950 ft / 290 m; TEU 3000-4000)
  • (1988 to 2000) Post-Panamax container ships (length 1000 ft / 305 m; TEU 4000-5000)
  • (2000 to 2005) Post-Panamax Plus container ships (length 1100 ft / 335 m; TEU 5000-8000)
  • (2006) New Panamax container ships (length 1300 ft / 396 m; TEU 11000-15500)
  • (2013) EEE-class container ships (length 1310 ft / 400 m; TEU 18000).

The following YouTube video is a brief history of container shipping. Industry reports show that 95% of all manufactured goods are moved via boxships. In 2017, US$4+ trillion worth of goods were ocean-shipped.

 

Transportation of liquid cargos in TEU containers

In 2018, CMA-CGM introduced the REEFLEX system that allows transportation of liquids in standard refrigerated TEUs (reefers) as an alternative to break-bulk shipping.

 

The technology was developed via a partnership with the companies Teconja (Germany) and Liqua (USA) and guarantees healthy and safe transportation of liquid cargoes that require controlled temperature.

REEFLEX allows transportation of food liquids (fruit juices, milk, syrups, oils) in a single bag. The capacity ranges from 12,000 to 24,000 L. The liquids are transported in TEU-standard reefer containers, in which REEFLEX can be installed in just 3 min. The technology uses an external pumping system, filling and emptying the bag in 35 min.

Each bag is single-use and entirely recyclable. Bags can be standard and custom-made.

World's largest sailing container- and cargo ships

In August 2017, LR (Lloyd's Register Group Ltd) joined the "QUADRIGA" shipping project of Sailing Cargo (Hamburg-based company) for building the world's biggest cargo ship with sails.

QUADRIGA (sailing cargo ship)

This car carrier has LOA length 170 m (558 ft) and car capacity 2000. The design features wind-assisted propulsion with 4x DynaRig masts (renewable power source) plus hybrid propulsion (diesel-electric engines) and an optional battery system (utilized for peak loads). The projected cruising speed is 12 knots (14 mph / 22 kph), with max speed 16 knots (18 mph / 30 kph).

In May 2021 was introduced the 2500-TEU "sailing container ship" design "TRADE WINGS 2500". The concept was developed by VPLP Design (France), Alwena Shipping (France), SDARI (China/Shanghai Merchant Ship Design and Research Institute) and AYRO (USA/electric vehicles.

TRADE WINGS 2500 (sailing container ship)

The boxship has LOA length 197 m (646 ft), max-width 32 m (105 ft), DWT tonnage 32500, wind-assisted propulsion (6x Oceanwings/wingsails), LNG-electric propulsion (azipods). The Oceanwings are on vertical sliding mechanisms and partially retractable (while the boat is in port) to allow safe terminal operations. The LNG powerplant is based only on 4-stroke generator sets. The concept is also suitable for feedering (transshipments between two vessels).

Unmanned cargo ships (autonomous shipping)

The unmanned (drone) technology industry is interlinked with the maritime industry for unmanned (self-steering) cargo ships. It means crewless, autonomous boxships run from land-based facilities - safer, cheaper, revolutionizing the world's marine shipping. As seen on the photo, this boat is fully loaded (front to back) with containers.

unmanned container ship model (Rolls Royce)

The new design combines ship-based sensors (providing data for the vessel's computers) and land-based (office/home?) navigators, which will replace the traditional captain's service. A network of onshore control centers has to be set up, where the "shipless" crew will command hundreds of autonomous marine cargo vessels worldwide.

The main advantages of this new ship technology are:

  • One person can monitor and operate many ships.
  • Fuel efficiency requires slower cruising speeds, which increases the time at sea/crew costs. For example, reducing the cruising speed from 16 to 11 knots (18-13 mph/30-20 kph) reduces fuel consumption by 50%.
  • Remotely controlled cargo ships also mean better safety. It replaces the threat of crew being held hostage by pirates, no risks of staff injuries or deaths.
  • Seafarer professions are generally perceived as "hard jobs" - unattractive. This causes a shortage of seamen and higher wages. Conditions on land, on the other hand, are preferred, meaning it's easier to find and retain qualified and competent staff to work ashore.
  • Our current technologies provide unmanned (remotely controlled) machines. They serve a variety of tasks, including engine monitoring, various equipment monitoring, remote controlling of underwater offshore ship operations. The leader in this field is Rolls-Royce Marine (company's maritime division / marine engineering, technology and designs).
  • Eliminating all crew manned systems and facilities on the cargo ship (like sleeping quarters, furniture, electricity, food supplies, airconditioning, water/sewage, etc) means more space for containers and lowering crew costs, which are ~US$3300 PP a day. According to the industry's latest statistics, ~45% of the ship's total operating costs go towards crew maintenance services. Still, the sad question remains - how will our society react when the robots take hold and drive millions out of work?

The Norwegian "Yara Birkeland" (IMO 9865049, delivered on November 27, 2020) is the world's first completely autonomous containership with electric propulsion. The vessel's building cost is NOK 250 million (EUR 25,5 M / US$29 M). The autonomous boxship was built by VARD Norway (the hull by Vard Braila Romania, other works at Vard Brattvaag). The 120-TEUs vessel was initially a manned ship (2018-delivered) and later converted to an autonomous ship, to be fully operational by 2022.

 

In April 2018, the Norwegian companies Wilhelmsen Group and Kongsberg Group established the world's first autonomous shipping company. The joint venture is headquartered Lysaker (Norway) and fully operational since August 2018. It offers the full package of autonomous shipping services - from vessel design, development, and operations, to onboard control systems and full logistics. Land-based vessel control centers monitor and operate autonomous ships globally.

 

In 2018, CMA-CGM signed a partnership with Shone Inc (2017-established, San Francisco-based company) specializing in the development of artificial intelligence systems for marine vessels. The collaboration gave Shone access to CMA-CGM ships, enabling the company to finalize its system. The technology uses collected from multiple sensors data (radar, CCTVs, AIS, etc) to prevent potential collisions.

In October 2020, CMA-CGM and MSC were integrated into TradeLens - a digital platform run on IBM Cloud and IBM Blockchain. TradeLens (jointly developed by IBM and Maersk) provides fully integrated real-time logistics data for the companies' containerized cargo worldwide.

Largest Container Shipping Companies

Follows the list of top-10 largest container shipping companies in the world. TEU data is based on 2015 statistics. The other included (to "top 20") are companies with above 1% market share.

largest container shipping companies in the world (infographic)

Note: The following list of shipping companies (ranking) is based on December 2017 statistical data.

  1. MSC Group (Italy) has 24000+ employees, offices in 150 countries, annual TEU capacity 4,285+ million (market share 16,9%). The fleet includes WEC Lines.
  2. APM MAERSK (Denmark) has 100000+ employees, offices in 135 countries, annual TEU capacity 4,282+ million (market share 16,9%). Since December 1, 2017, part of MAERSK is "Hamburg Sud Group" (previous owner "Dr. August Oetker KG"). The fleet includes Maersk, Hamburg Sud, P&O Nedlloyd, Safmarine, SeaLand.
  3. CMA-CGM (France-based, merger of CMA/Compagnie Maritime d'Affretement and CGM/Compagnie Generale Maritime) has 29000+ employees, 650+ offices worldwide, annual TEU capacity 3,168+ million (market share 12,5%), serves 200 routes (420 ports). The fleet includes APL, ANL, Containerships, Comanav, CNC Line, Mercosul Line, Neptune Orient Lines.
  4. COSCO (China/state-owned company) has annual TEU capacity 2,943+ million (market share 12,3%). The fleet groups COSCO, China Shipping Container Lines, Orient Overseas Container Line, Shanghai Pan Asia Shipping, New Golden Sea Shipping, Coheung.
  5. HAPAG-LLOYD shipping (Germany-based merger of HAPAG/Amerikanische Packetfahrt-Actien-Gesellschaft and NDL/Norddeutscher Lloyd) has 12000+ employees, operations in 126 countries, annual TEU capacity 1,749+ million (market share 7,3%). In 2017, HL merged with UASC and became the world's 5th largest containership company. UASC is a Dubai-based joint venture (state-owned by UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq), with annual TEU capacity 470,400+ (market share 2,4%). Hapag-Lloyd-UASC merger started on May 24th and was finalized on November 30th, 2017. The fleet includes UASC, CSAV, NileDutch.
  6. ONE-Ocean Network Express (Japan/groups NYK, Mitsui OSK Lines, K-Line) has annual TEU capacity 1,6+ million (market share 6,6%).
  7. EVERGREEN Marine (Taiwan) has 4000+ employees, operations in 80 countries, annual TEU capacity 1,346+ million (market share 5,5%). The fleet includes Italia Marittima, Uniglory Marine.
  8. CSCL (China) has annual TEU capacity 700,000+ (market share 3,5%).
  9. HAMBURG-SUD (also includes Alianca and CCNI) is Germany-based (part of Oetker Group) with 4500+ employees and annual TEU capacity 628,750 (market share 3,1%).
  10. HANJIN shipping (South Korea) has operations in 60 countries and annual TEU capacity 620,000+ (market share 3,1%).
  11. OOCL (Hong Kong-based subsidiary of OOIL/investment company) has annual TEU capacity 670,000+ (market share 3%).
  12. MOL (Japan) has 10000+ employees and annual TEU capacity 575,000+ (market share 2,9%). In 2017, MOL merged into ONE Shipping (combined fleet 1,44 million TEUs).
  13. APL (Singapore-based subsidiary of CMA-CGM) was acquired from NOL Neptune Orient Lines in 2018. APL has 4300+ employees, annual TEU capacity 542,000+ (market share 2,7%).
  14. YANG MING Marine (Taiwan) has annual TEU capacity 530,000+ (market share 2,7%).
  15. NYK shipping (Japan/the core of Mitsubishi Corporation) has annual TEU capacity 507,700+ (market share 2,5%). In 2017 it merged into ONE Shipping.
  16. K-LINE (Japan) has annual TEU capacity 394,100+ (market share 2%). In 2017 it merged into ONE Shipping.
  17. PIL line/Pacific International Lines (Singapore) has annual TEU capacity 0,253+ million (market share 1%).
  18. HYUNDAI Merchant Marine/HMM (South Korea) has annual TEU capacity 380,400+ (market share 1,9%). Following the Nov 2017 order for 20x super large boxships (9x 20K-TEU and 11x 11K-TEU), HMM was ranked world's 6th-largest (fleet capacity 0,8M TEUs).
  19. ZIM line (Israel) has annual TEU capacity 0,41+ million (market share 1,7%).
  20. WAN HAI Lines (Taiwan) has annual TEU capacity 0,37+ million (market share 1,5%).

As of January 2022, MSC is ranked the world's largest by fleet (645 ships) and TEU-capacity (4,284728 million), with 17% global market share.

March 2016 stats showed that the number of vessels owned by Greek companies is 4092 (DWT tonnage 321 million) or 2% of all. The number included 347 units on order (2016 data from shipbuilding yards globally).

cargo container ship (NCBL)

In 2015, there were 5985 boxships in active service, with combined TEU capacity 19,356387 million (compared to 2012's 15,899687 million), combined TDW/displacement 243,145464 million tons.

In August 2018, MAERSK and IBM launched their jointly developed TradeLens - digital blockchain platform serving the world's global supply chain. The new technology connects various maritime organizations and businesses (port-terminal operators, transportation-logistics companies, customs authorities-brokers, shippers, freight forwarders) to share in real-time their information (data and documents).

Largest Chinese containership companies

Since 2016, China's maritime market underwent a significant consolidation, including shipping companies, shipyards, and seaports.

China's biggest shipping companies (both state-owned) - COSCO and CSG - could be merged. Advanced negotiations between the companies were officially announced in mid-October 2015. Rumors of possible merger first surfaced in August.

  • China's government approval for the merger was officially announced on December 11, 2015.
  • The merger (completed in February 2016) created "China COSCO Shipping" - the world's 4th largest container company (~8% global market share).
  • It combined the fleets of COSCO-China Ocean Shipping Company Ltd (world's 6th largest, 175 vessels in 2016) and CSGS-China Shipping Group Co Ltd (world's 7th largest, 156 vessels in 2016).

In Feb 2016 was announced that COSCO will raise its TEU capacity to 2+ million by late-2018. As Chinese shipping companies operate services mainly on Asia-Africa and China-Southeast Asia routes, the competition will focus on bigger capacity routes (Asia-Europe, Asia-America). Currently, COSCO owns 1,58 million TEUs ranking it 4th largest. COSCO's rivals MAERSK, MSC and CMA CGM currently hold ~40% of this market.

For 2016-Q1 was reported that freight shipping rates for container transportation from Asia to Northern Europe plummeted 78% (to US$271 per TEU, compared to US$1232 in 2016). These historically low rates combined with the increasing TEU capacity resulted in US$6+ billion global industry losses.

In April 2016, China officially started to encourage China-flagged ships to use the Northwest Passage route to cut Pacific-Atlantic transit times. Northwest Passage is a sea route through the Arctic Ocean (along North America's northern coastline). In 2014, the icebreaking bulk carrier Nunavik became world's first cargo ship making an unescorted voyage on that route.

The first China-built ULCC (capacity 24K-TEU/240K cargo tons, 400x62m, 24000m2 open deck area, by Zhonghua Changxing Shipbuilding Shanghai) was launched on May 23, 2022.

Which company owns the world's largest containership fleet?

In November 2015 was announced the creation of "Triton International". The new company is NYSE-listed, Bermuda-based and created as a merger between "Triton Container International" (55%) and "TAL International Group" (45%). Its combined boxship fleet is nearly 5 million TEUs, with revenue-earning assets of US$8,7 billion.

cargo container ship (3D model)

What is the world's largest container ship port?

Statistical data for 2015 showed Port Shanghai (China) as the largest and busiest containership port in the world - with 36,54 million TEUs. The number of processed containers was 3,5% increase over 2014 (35,29 million TEUs).

The port operator SIPG also reported a net profit of US$988,7 million (4% decline over 2014) and a revenue increase of 2,5%. Only in December 2015, Shanghai cargo port moved 3,07 million TEUs (5,9% increase over 2014 / 2,9 million TEUs).

Container shipping alliances

Container shipping industry moves ~95% of all manufactured goods. This lucrative business is largely controlled by 15 corporations, the majority being European and Asian. Most of these additionally accelerated their operations by forming giant maritime shipping alliances.

cargo container ship (CSCL)

Among the benefits for allied container shipping lines are cost savings, increased efficiency, lower prices of goods for consumers, lower freight rates, cheaper services for partners, affiliated businesses and cargo ports. Usually, alliance-shared boxships are the fleet's largest. This poses challenges for many seaports but also presents opportunities for growth. The volume of movement for large-capacity boxships can reach up to 10000 moves per vessel, and not every cargo terminal can handle such volumes. It means that only the most efficient seaports benefit from the industry's restructuring.

Note: "P3 Alliance" (CMA CGM, MAERSK, MSC) was proposed by CMA CGM, but failed.

G6 Alliance

World's largest "G6 Alliance" (Hapag-Lloyd, Hyundai, APL, MOL, NYK, OOCL) operates exclusively on Far East-Europe routes. It was formed in December 2011, merging the existing "The Grand Alliance" (Hapag-Lloyd, NYK, OOCL) with the "New World Alliance" (NOL, MOL, Hyundai).

CKYHE Alliance

"CKYHE Alliance" includes Cosco, K-Line, Yang-Ming, Hanjin, Evergreen.

2M Alliance

"2M Alliance" was formed in January 2015, merging APM-MAERSK with MSC. Although operational, 2M Alliance is officially rejected by China.

In January 2023 MSC and Maersk agreed to terminate the 2M alliance in 2025 (effective January). When established, 2M had a minimum 10-year term, with a 2-year notice period of termination.

OCEAN Alliance

"OCEAN Alliance" was formed in January 2015 and includes CMA-CGM, COSCO, OOCL, EVERGREEN Marine. Ocean 3-allied ships operate on the following routes: Transpacific (weekly), Asia-Europe, Asia-Middle East (Shanghai-Umm Qasr; and Shekou-Umm Qasr), Asia-Mediterranean and Asia-North America (via Suez Canal) - East Coast USA (1) and Asia-Mexico Gulf (1).

In 2019, OCEAN Alliance had 330 vessels (111x CMA-CGM) with capacity ~3,8M TEUs. The largest services were Transpacific (19), Asia-Europe (7), Asia-Mediterranean (4), Asia-Middle East (4), Transatlantic (2), Asia-Red Sea (2). Launched in 2017 (5-year initial period), in 2019 the Ocean Alliance cooperation was officially expanded until 2027.

In 2020, Ocean Alliance had 325 vessels (112x by CMA-CGM), 38 services (19x Transpacific, 11x Asia-Europe, 2x Transatlantic, 6x Asia-Middle East-Red Sea), ~3,8 million TEUs.

THE Alliance

"THE Alliance" was created in May 2016 and started operations in April 2017. It includes NYK, Hanjin, Hapag-Lloyd, K-Line, Mitsui-OSK, Yang-Ming, MOL, and HMM-Hyundai (since April 2020). It covers all major shipping lanes - Asia-Mediterranean, Asia-Middle East (Persian Gulf, Red Sea), Asia-North America (West Coast, East Coast) and Transatlantic (Europe-Americas).

The Alliance has combined capacity of approx 3,5 million TEUs (18% global fleet) with 620+ vessels. The possibility UASC to join THE Alliance means increasing the fleet's overall capacity to 4+ million TEUs. The Alliance was joined by HMM-Hyundai in July 2016. Currently, HMM operates 124 vessels (85 chartered).

In 2018, THE Alliance provideed 33 shipping services (all East-West lanes) with 250+ modern boxships on Middle East loops, and regularly served 81 ports in Asia, Middle East, India, Europe, Americas. The 33 services included 8x Asia-Europe (3x Mediterranean, 5x Northern Europe). 16x Trans-Pacific, 7x North Atlantic loops, 2x Middle East loops.

In 2022 HMM commenced a KRW 15 trillion (US$11,404B) 5-year investment plan (2022-2026/ships, terminals, logistics facilities) to expand fleet (from 29 to 55 ships) and TEU capacity (from 0,82M to 1,2M).

ONE Alliance

"ONE Alliance" merged 3 Japanese companies (MOL, NYK, K-Line) into "Ocean Network Express" (abbrev ONE), starting operations on Apr 1, 2018. ONE Shipping (established on July 7, 2017) has combined fleet capacity 1,44 million TEUs and operates 85 world service loops linking 200+ major seaports.

cargo container ship (Samsung)

Container shipping routes

There are 3 general cargo shipping routes for China-made products - via the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and the Indian Ocean.

container shipping routes map

China to Japan (NAGOYA, TOKYO, YOKOHAMA, KOBE, MOJI, OSAKA) is operated by CSCL, MOL, NYK, KMTC, SITC, DONGYING, HMM, SINOKOR, CHAOYANG. China to Korea (BUSAN, INCHON, SEOUL) is operated by CSCL, HMM, KMTC, SITC, CHAOYANG, DONGYING, SINOKOR. China to Far East Russia (VLADIVOSTOK, VOSTOCHNY, ROSTOV) is operated by MAERSK, FESCO, SINOKOR.

China to Taiwan (KAOHSIUNG, KEELUNG, TAICHUNG) is operated by CSCL, SYMS, KMTC, SITC, SINOKOR, DONGYING, CHAOYANG. China to Southeast Asia (ports in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Burma, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Brunei, East Timor) includes the ports BELAWAN, SURABAYA, PENANG, KLANG, CEBU, SINGAPORE, HAIPHONG, HOCHIMINH, MANILA, JAKARTA. The largest companies operating this trade are high-rates-less-time (CSCL, NYK, WANHAI), low-rates-long-time (ESL, ZIM, NORASIA), med-rates-med-time (OOCL, COSCO, RCL, HMM, APL).

China to India (BOMBAY, CALCUTTA, COCHIN, COLOMBO, MADRAS, KARACHI, NHAVA SHEVA, CHENNAI, NEW DELHI) is operated by the companies: high-rates-less-time (MAERSK, WANHAI, PIL), low-rates-long-time (MSC, NCL, ESL, SCI), med-rates-med-time (COSCO, RCL, HMM). China to Red Sea (AQABA, JEDDAH, PORT SUDAN, HODEIDAH, SOKHNA) is operated by the companies: high-rates-less-time (COSCO, APL), low-rates-long-time (MSC, EMC), med-rates-med-time (PIL).

China to Black Sea (ODESSA, CONSTANTA, POTI, BURGAS, NOVOROSSIYSK) is operated by the companies: high-rates-less-time (COSCO, APL, CSAV, ZIM), low-rates-long-time (MSC, EMC), med-rates-med-time (NYK, PIL, CMA CGM). China to Middle East (ABU DHABI, DUBAI, UMM QASAR, BANDAR ABBAS, KUWAIT, SALALAH, DOHA, DAMMAN, RIYADH) is operated by the companies: high-rates-less-time (COSCO, APL, WANHAI, NYK, YML, PIL), low-rates-long-time (MSC, CSCL, ESL), med-rates-med-time (HMM, ZIM, OOCL, RCL, NCL).

China to Africa (DJIBOUTI, MOMBASA, MOGADISCIO, DAR ES SALAAM, NAIROBI, COTONOU, ABIDJAN, APAPA, LAGOS, MATADI, CASABLANCA, ALGIERS, TUNIS, TRIPOLILY, DURBAN, CAPE TOWN, MAPUTO) is operated by the companies: high-rates-less-time (MAERSK, NYK, DELMAS), low-rates-long-time (MSC, CSAV, ESL), med-rates-med-time (PIL, SAFMARINE, MARUBA).

China to Europe ports (HAMBURG, BREMERHAVEN, ROTTERDAM, ANTWERP, STOCKHOLM, DUBLIN, FELIXSTOWE, SOUTHAMPTON, PORTSMOUTH, LE HAVRE, ZEEBRUGGE, FREDRIKSTAD, LISBON, MARSEILLES) is operated by the companies: high-rates-less-time (APL, CMA CGM, HMM, MSK), low-rates-long-time (MSC, CSCL, PIL, ZIM, WANHAI, MISC), med-rates-med-time (COSCO, K-LINE). China to Mediterranean ports (LIMASSOL, ALEXANDRIA, DAMIETTA, ASHDOD, BEIRUT, BARCELONA, VALENCIA, NAPLES, LIVORNO) is operated by the companies: high-rates-less-time (COSCO, CMA CGM), low-rates-long-time (MSC, NCL), med-rates-med-time (EMC, CSAV).

China to Australia and New Zealand ports (ADELAIDE, BRISBANE, FREMANTLE, MELBOURNE, SYDNEY, AUCKLAND, WELLINGTON) is operated by the companies: high-rates-less-time (MSC, COSCO, MAERSK, PIL), low-rates-long-time (OOCL, SYMS, MISC), med-rates-med-time (CSCL, HAMBURG SUD).

China to Canada ports (VANCOUVER, TORONTO, MONTREAL) is operated by the companies: high-rates-less-time (HMM, YML), low-rates-long-time (MSC, NCL), med-rates-med-time (APL, EMC, HPL, ZIM).

China to USA ports (MIAMI, HOUSTON, NEW YORK, SAVANNAH, LOS ANGELES, SEATTLE, LONG BEACH, OAKLAND) is operated by the companies: high-rates-less-time (MAERSK, CMA CGM, MOSK, HMM, YML), low-rates-long-time (MSC, NCL, NORAISA), med-rates-med-time (APL, EMC, HPL, COSCO, ZIM).

China to South America ports (BUENOS AIRES, MONTEVIDEO, SANTOS, PARANAGUA, RIO GRANDE, RIO DE JANEIRO, ITAJAI, ASUNCION, PECEM, BUENAVENTURA, CALLAO, GUAYAQUIL, IQUIQUE, VAL PARAISO, SAN ANTONIO) is operated by the companies: high-rates-less-time (PIL, CSAV, CSCL, MARUBA), low-rates-long-time (NYL, MSK, HAMBURG SUD), med-rates-med-time (PIL, CSAV, CSCL, MARUBA).

In August 2017, APL started weekly service "Asia Latin America Express 3" (AE3-AW3) connecting Asian ports (China, Taiwan) to Mexico and South America (west coast).

In March 2018, APL extended "Eagle GO" (2017-introduced Transpacific service). It now guarantees 29x Asian departures to North America by 22x APL ships. Eagle GO connects Asia to 15x West Coast USA and 7x East Coast USA-bound loops.

APL's Asian departure ports are in China (Dalian, Fuqing, Hong Kong, Lianyungang, Nansha, Ningbo, Xiamen, Shekou, Shanghai, Tianjin, Qingdao, Yantian), Taiwan (Kaohsiung, Taipei), Japan (Kobe, Nagoya, Naha, Sendai, Tokyo, Yokohama), Korea (Busan), Indonesia (Jakarta), Tailand (Laem Chabang), Vietnam (Cai Mep), Malaysia (Klang), Singapore, India (Mundra, Nhava Sheva), Pakistan (Port Qasim).

All "Eagle Guaranteed" APL services (Eagle GO, Eagle GET, Eagle REACH) are money-back guarantees assuring expeditious cargo discharge on company's EX1, SC1 and PE1 routes from Asia to Port Los Angeles (Global Gateway South terminal / GGS). Eagle GET guarantees shipment discharge within 12 hours of starting vessel cargo operations. Eagle REACH guarantees day-definite arrival of containerized cargo (EX1 route) from LA's GGS terminal to the US railroad yards in Chicago Illinois, Columbus Ohio, Dallas Texas, El Paso Texas, Kansas City Missouri, Memphis Tennessee.

In March 2018, OOCL extended its WM3 (West Mediterranean Service) to the Middle East, Pakistan and India. The WM3 route's new port rotation is as follows: Khor Al Fakkan (UAE)-Jebel Ali (UAE)-Karachi (Pakistan)-Mundra (India)-Nhava Sheva (India)-Jeddah (Saudi Arabia)-Suez Canal transit-Malta-La Spezia (Italy)-Genoa (Italy)-Barcelona (Spain)-Valencia (Spain)-Tangier (Morocco)-Marseille-Fos (France)-Genoa-Malta-Damietta (Egypt)-Suez Canal transit-Jeddah-Khor Al Fakkan.

In December 2018, APL expanded WAX and WA3 services.

  • West Asia Express (WAX) Tianjin-Qingdao-Ningbo-Shekou-Singapore-Sohar-Jebel Ali-Hamad-Bahrain-Damman-Klang-Singapore-Yantian-Xiamen-Ningbo-Shanghai-Busan
  • West Asia Express 3 (WA3) Busan-Lianyungang-Qingdao-Shanghai-Hong Kong-Shekou-Singapore-Jebel Ali-Damman-Jubail-Abu Dhabi-Singapore-Nansha-Busan

Container shipping trade routes

Follows a list of shipping trade routes operated by the world's biggest boxships.

CodeRouteItinerary Ports
NE2"North Europe Service 2" (through Suez Canal)Hong Kong-Nansha-Shekou-Xiamen-Yantian-Kaohsiung-Singapore-Jeddah (Saudi Arabia)-Piraeus-Rotterdam-Felixstowe-Hamburg-Antwerp
NE7"North Europe Service 7" (through Suez Canal)Ningbo-Shanghai-Xiamen-Singapore-Piraeus-Rotterdam-Hamburg-Antwerp
G6-Alliance"FE2 Service UK Express"Xingang-Dalian-Qingdao-Shanghai-Ningbo-Hong Kong-Yantian-Singapore-Tangier-Southampton-Hamburg-Rotterdam-Le Havre-Tangier-Jebel Ali (UAE)-Hong Kong-Qingdao-Xingang
G6-AllianceLoop 4Basel (Switzerland)-Rotterdam-Singapore-Yantian-Ningbo-Shanghai-Yantian-Singapore-Southampton
G6-AllianceLoop 5Kwangyang (South Korea)-Busan-Shanghai-Singapore-Le Havre-Rotterdam-Hamburg-Thamesport, Singapore-Kwangyang
G6-AllianceLoop 6Kaohsiung-Xiamen-Shekou-Hong Kong-Singapore-Colombo-Southampton-Antwerp-Hamburg-Rotterdam-Jebel Ali-Singapore-Shekou-Kaohsiung
AEX1 loopAsia-Europe (China-Belgium)Qingdao-Ningbo-Yantian-Shanghai-Klang (Malaysia)-Felixstowe-Rotterdam-Hamburg-Zeebrugge
FAL1"French Asia Line" (CMA-CGM), Europe-Asia through Suez Canal (UK-China)The fixed itinerary is between homeports Southampton and Tianjin-Xingang, calling every 77 days at Le Havre (France), each of the largest CMA-CGM ships transports ~200,000 tons of cargo between Europe, Middle East, East Asia.
FAL2FAL2 and AEX7 loop (Asia-Europe)Saudi Arabia (Jeddah), China (Xiamen-Ningbo-Yantian-Chiwan-Shanghai), Malaysia (Klang), UK (Felixstowe), Holland (Rotterdam), Germany (Hamburg), France (Le Havre), Belgium (Antwerp)
SEAS2Asia-South Africa-East Coast South AmericaSEAS2 serves cargo shipping (including South Korean automobile industry products, electronic merchandise, household appliances) to the largest ports in Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. Principal commodities shipped back from South America to Asia are mostly mineral raw materials and agricultural production.
MAX2"Middle East Asia Express 2"China (Shanghai-Dalian-Ningbo-Nansha-Shekou-Xingang), South Korea (Busan), Malaysia (Klang), UAE (Khor Al Fakkan, Jebel Ali)
Ll1Asia-Europeroundtrip Shanghai to Ningbo-Xiamen-Yantian-Singapore-Suez Canal-Felixstowe-Rotterdam-Gdansk-Wilhelmshaven, and back to Felixstowe-Suez Canal-Singapore-Yantian-Shanghai (77-day loop)
PADPanama Direct Line, (aka "North Atlantic South Pacific")

PAD is the only direct containership service between UK-NZ. It also provides direct shipping between Northern Europe, East Coast USA, South America (west coast) and Australia. In February 2019 was opened CMA-CGM-OCEANIA's PAD. The weekly service is roundtrip from Zeebrugge to London - Rotterdam - Dunkirk - Le Havre - NYC - Savannah - Cartagena (Colombia) - Papeete (French Polynesia) - Noumea (New Caledonia) - Australia (Brisbane-Sydney-Melbourne) - New Zealand (Nelson-Tauranga) - Manzanillo (Mexico) - Savannah - Philadelphia.

CA6China-Australia (by APL)Links Shanghai-Ningbo-Yantian-Sydney-Melbourne-Brisbane, with crossing times 11-day (Yantian-Sydney) and 14-day (Shanghai-Sydney).
FE4China-Europe (by Hapag-Lloyd-UASC)Links Rotterdam with Shanghai via Hamburg, Antwerp, Southampton, Yantian, Shanghai, Busan, Ningbo, Shanghai, and back to Europe.
GMEGulf of Mexico Express (by COSCO)Transpacific service connects Shanghai-Ningbo-Xiamen-Yantian-Houston-Mobile-Tampa. Shanghai-Tampa transit times are 31 days (import) and 27 days (export).
MPSMed Pendulum Service (by CMA-CGM)(40 days loop) Salerno to La Spezia-Genoa-Algeciras-Casablanca-Leixoes-Setubal-Marseille-Genoa-La Spezia-Salerno-Piraeus-Mersin-Lattakia-Beirut-Alexandria-Salerno
ADRINAFAdriatic - North Africa (by CMA-CGM)(21-day loop) Koper-Venice-Rijeka-Bar-Malta-Skikda-Malta-Catania-Ancona-Koper
EUROSAL XLNorth Europe-Caribbean-South America West Coast (by CMA-CGM)(63-day loop) Rotterdam-London Gateway-Hamburg-Antwerp-Le Havre-Caucedo-Cartagena-Panama Canal-Manzanillo-Buenaventura-Callao-Puerto Angamos-San Antonio-Callao-Buenaventura-Manzanillo-Panama Canal-Cartagena-Caucedo-Rotterdam
KVMKorea-Vietnam-Malaysia (by APL-Yang Ming)(21-day loop) Kwangyang-Pusan-Kaohsiung-Saigon-Klang-Singapore-Haiphong-Kaohsiung-Kwangyang
EXXEagle Express X (by APL)Yokohama-Busan-Ningbo-Shanghai-Los Angeles-Honolulu Hawaii-Dutch Harbour Alaska-Yokohama
ACCAmerica Central America Caribbean by APL(weekly) Miami-Dominican Republic (Haina-Caucedo)-Kingston Jamaica-Belize-Puerto Cortes Honduras-Puerto Barrios Guatemala-Cartagena Colombia-Miami
BSXBlack Sea Express Service (by Milaha)roundtrip Piraeus (Greece) to Kumport-Istanbul (Turkey), Poti (Georgia), Novorossiysk (Russia)
PEX3Pacific Express 3 (by CMA-CGM)Singapore-Vung Tau-Hong Kong-Shekou-Ningbo-Shanghai-Busan-Panama Canal-Houston- Mobile-New Orleans-Tampa-Miami-Singapore
VSAAustralia Express (by MSC)London-Rotterdam-Hamburg-Antwerpen-Le Havre-Marseille Fos-La Spezia-Genoa-Gioia Tauro-Pointe des Galets-Port Louis-Sydney NSW-Melbourne-Adelaide-Fremantle-Singapore-Colombo-Valencia-Sines (Portugal)-London Gateway
IASIndia-Africa Service (by MSC)Mundra-Nhava Sheva-Colombo-Port Louis-Tema Harbour-Lome-Cotonou-Cape Town-Durban-Jebel Ali-Abu Dhabi-Port Qasim-Mundra
CTXChina-Thailand (by Yang Ming)(21-day loop) Shanghai-Ningbo-Xiamen-Laem Chabang-Bangkok-Laem Chabang-Hong Kong-Shanghai
FE-WCSAFar East-West Coast Latin America (by Yang Ming, PIL, Wan Hai)
  • (SA4) Hong Kong-Yantian-Kaohsiung-Shanghai-Ningbo-Manzanillo-Balboa-Buenaventura-Callao-San Antonio-Hong Kong
  • (SA6) Kaohsiung-Shekou-Hong Kong-Ningbo-Shanghai-Manzanillo-Lazaro Cardenas-Puerto Quetzal-Callao-Guayaquil-Manzanillo-Busan-Kaohsiung
  • (SA8/WS6) Ningbo-Shanghai-Qingdao-Busan-Manzanillo-Lazaro Cardenas-Puerto Quetzal-Buenaventura-Valparaiso-Ningbo
MIAXMiddle East-India-Africa Express (by Hapag-Lloyd)Jebel Ali-Mundra-Nhava Sheva-Colombo-La Reunion-Durban-Cape Town-Tema Harbour-Tincan-Apapa-Cape Town-Durban-Jebel Ali
IEXSoutheast India-Europe Express (by Hapag-Lloyd)Visakhapatnam-Krishnapatnam-Chennai-Tuticorin-Colombo-Cochin-Damietta-Piraeus-Rotterdam-London Gateway-Hamburg-Antwerp-Le Havre-Damietta-Jeddah-Colombo-Visakhapatnam
IEXEast India-North Europe Express (by Yang-Ming)Vizag-Krishnapatnam-Chennai-Tuticorin-Colombo-Cochin-Damietta-Piraeus-Rotterdam-London Gateway-Hamburg-Antwerp-Le Havre-Damietta-Jeddah-Colombo-Vizag
IP3Middle East-India-North Europe (by OOCL)Vizag-Krishnapatnam-Chennai-Tuticorin-Colombo-Cochin-Damietta-Piraeus-Rotterdam-London Gateway-Hamburg-Antwerp-Le Havre-Damietta-Jeddah-Colombo-Vizag
CNSChina New Zealand (by OOCL)Shanghai-Ningbo-Shekou-Kaohsiung-Brisbane-Auckland-Lyttelton-Wellington-Napier-Tauranga-Hong Kong-Keelung-Shanghai
CIPChina-Indonesia-Philippines (by OOCL)Shanghai-Ningbo-Da Chan Bay-Jakarta-Surabaya-Manila-Hong Kong-Shanghai
TLP6Transpacific Latin Pacific 6 (by OOCL)Hong Kong-Shekou-Ningbo-Shanghai-Manzanillo-Puerto Quetzal-San Antonio-Hong Kong
CVKChina-Vietnam-Cambodia Service (by Yang Ming)Ningbo-Shanghai-Xiamen-Danang-Saigon-Sihanoukville-Saigon-Hong Kong-Ningbo
AS1China-India (by CMA-CGM)Qingdao-Shanghai-Ningbo-Singapore-Nhava Sheva-Mundra-Qasim-Karachi-Singapore-Qingdao
AS6China-India (by CMA-CGM)Shanghai-Ningbo-Shekou-Nansha-Singapore-Klang-Nhava Sheva-Pipavav-Karachi-Colombo-Singapore-Hong Kong-Shanghai
JCVJapan-China-Vietnam (by ONE)oneway Tokyo-Yokohama-Shanghai-Hong Kong-Saigon (Cat Lai Port)
CAXChina Australia Express (by ZIM)(11-day transit from China to Sydney Australia) roundtrip Ningbo-Shanghai-Yantian-Sydney-Melbourne-Brisbane-Ningbo
CIPChina India Pakistan (by ONE)Shanghai-Ningbo-Shekou-Singapore-Kelang-Nhava Sheva-Karachi-Mundra-Colombo-Kelang-Hong Kong-Shanghai
EAFEast Africa-Asia (by ONE)weekly roundtrip Shanghai-Ningbo-Nansha-Singapore-Kelang-Mombasa-Dar es Salaam-Kelang-Singapore-Shanghai
MIMMozambique-India-Middle East (by ONE)biweekly roundtrip Jebel Ali-Mundra-Maputo-Jebel Ali
EC6Transpacific Asia/East Coast 6 (by The Alliance)Kaohsiung-Hong Kong-Yantian-Ningbo-Shanghai-Busan-(Panama Canal)-Houston-NOLA-Mobile-(Panama Canal)-Kaohsiung
AA5USA Pacific Northwest (by Wan Hai Lines)Kaohsiung-Yantian-Shanghai-Ningbo-Seattle-Oakland-Kaohsiung
SAESino Australia Express (by PIL)Qingdao-Shanghai-Nansha-Shekou-Australia (Sydney-Melbourne-Brisbane)-Qingdao
CCSGulf China Service (by PIL)Shanghai-Ningbo-Nansha-Shekou-Jebel Ali-Dammam-Hamad-Singapore-Shanghai
MSWMediterranean-Caribbean-South America West Coast Express (by Hapag-Lloyd)roundtrip from Valencia to Livorno-Genoa-Barcelona-Caucedo Dominicana-Cartagena Colombia-Paita Peru-Posorja Ecuador-Buenaventura-Puerto Limon-Cartagena Spain-Tangier-Malaga

(zzz) PIL's America-China services (US West Coast) include the loops:

  • (ACS) Lianyungang-Shanghai-Ningbo-Long Beach-Seattle-Lianyungang
  • (AC2) Cai Mep-Los Angeles-Oakland-Hong Kong-Cai Mep
  • (AC3) Xingang-Qingdao-Shanghai-Los Angeles-Oakland-Xingang
  • (AC5) Haiphong-Nansha-Hong Kong-Yantian-Long Beach-Oakland-Yantian-Haiphong
  • (AC6) Fuzhou-Nansha-Hong Kong-Yantian-Xiamen-Los Angeles-Oakland-Fuzhou

ONE-Alliance shipping routes

  • AIM (Africa India Middle East) roundtrip Jebel Ali-Mundra-Jawaharlal Nehru (Nhava Sheva)-Colombo-Durban-Cape Town-Tema Harbour-Tincan-Apapa-Cape Town-Durban-Jebel Ali
  • IO3 (Indian Ocean Service 3) 63-day loop/roundtrip Visakhapatnam-Krishnapatnam-Chennai-Tuticorin-Colombo-Cochin-Damietta-Piraeus-Rotterdam-London Gateway-Hamburg-Antwerp-Le Havre-Damietta-Jeddah-Colombo-Visakhapatnam
  • SPS (South Pacific Service) offers 3 loops roundtrip from Busan, visiting Kobe-Nagoya-Yokohama-Honiara-Espiritu Santo-Port Vila-Noumea-Lautoka-Suva-Nukualofa-Apia-Pago Pago-Papeete-Tarawa.
  • AU1 (SEA Australia Loop 1) roundtrip Laem Chabang-Tanjung Pelepas-Singapore-Klang-Fremantle-Adelaide-Melbourne-Sydney-Brisbane-Singapore-Klang-Tanjung Pelepas-Laem Chabang
  • AU2 (SEA Australia Loop 2) roundtrip Tanjung Pelepas-Klang-Singapore-Brisbane-Sydney-Melbourne-Adelaide-Fremantle-Jakarta-Tanjung Pelepas
  • CTS (China-Southeast Asia) roundtrip Shanghai-Ningbo-Xiamen-Laem Chabang-Bangkok-Laem Chabang-Hong Kong-Shanghai
  • TP2 (Vietnam-Philippines-China) roundtrip Cat Lai-Laem Chabang-Batangas-Manila-Nansha-Shekou-Haiphong-Cat Lai

In 2020, ONE upgraded some Japan-Asia routes.

  • JTV1 (Japan-Thailand-Vietnam 1) roundtrip Yokohama-Tokyo-Shimizu-Pusan-Laem Chabang-Cai Mep-Yokohama
  • JTV2 (Japan-Thailand-Vietnam 2) roundtrip Osaka-Kobe-Yokkaichi-Nagoya-Laem Chabang-Cat Lai-Osaka
  • JTV3 Japan-Thailand-Vietnam 3) roundtrip Tokyo-Yokohama-Nagoya-Kobe-Taichung-Xiamen-Hong Kong-Yantian-Cat Lai-Laem Chabang-Hong Kong-Tokyo
  • JID (Japan-Indonesia) roundtrip Tokyo-Kawasaki-Yokohama-Yokkaichi-Nagoya-Kobe-Singapore-Jakarta-Singapore-Cai Mep-Tokyo
  • JSM (Japan-Straits Malaysia) roundtrip Tokyo-Yokohama-Shimizu-Nagoya-Kobe-Keelung-Hong Kong-Singapore-Klang-Singapore-Hong Kong-Shekou-Tokyo
  • JSM3 (Japan-Straits Malaysia 3) roundtrip Osaka-Kobe-Nagoya-Yokohama-Tokyo-Hong Kong-Singapore-Klang-Cai Mep-Shekou-Hong Kong-Osaka
  • JPH (Japan-Philippines) roundtrip Osaka-Yokkaichi-Nagoya-Shimizu-Tokyo-Yokohama-Kobe-Busan-Manila-Busan-Osaka
  • JTS (Japan-Taiwan-South China) roundtrip Nagoya-Tokyo-Chiba-Yokohama-Keelung-Kaohsiung-Hong Kong-Shekou-Xiamen-Nagoya

ZIM-MSC-MAERSK shipping routes (since 2019)

  • ZAS (Sirius Line) Xingang-Dalian-Busan-Shanghai-Ningbo-Shekou-Singapore-Port Said -Haifa-Port Said-Singapore - Xingang
  • ZMS (Spica Line) Busan-Shanghai-Ningbo-Shekou-Singapore-Port Said -Yarimca-Istanbul-Asyaport-Piraeus-Singapore-Shekou-Busan
  • ZP9 (Pollux Line) Kaohsiung-Xiamen-Yantian-Ningbo-Shanghai-Busan-Vancouver-Seattle-Yokohama-Busan-Kaohsiung; ZP8 (Procyon Line) Xingang-Qingdao-Shanghai-Busan-Yokohama-Prince Rupert-Xingang
  • ZGC (US Gulf Central China Xpress) Ningbo-Shanghai-Busan-Panama Canal-USA (Houston, Mobile, Miami)-Freeport Bahamas-Panama Canal-Rodman Panama-Busan
  • ZGX (US Gulf South China Xpress) Xiamen-Yantian-Busan-Panama Canal-USA (Houston, Mobile, Tampa)-Manzanillo Mexico-Panama Canal-Balboa Panama-Busan

OOCL shipping routes

  • TLP1 (Transpacific-Latin Pacific) Xiamen-Shanghai-Qingdao-Busan-Ensenada-Manzanillo-Callao-Lirquen-San Antonio-Manzanillo-Ensenada-Yokohama-Shanghai-Xiamen) and TLP2 (Kaohsiung-Hong Kong-Shekou-Ningbo-Shanghai-Busan-Manzanillo-Lazaro Cardenas-Buenaventura-San Antonio-Callao-Lazaro Cardenas-Manzanillo-Yokohama-Busan-Kaohsiung)
  • MAF (Mediterranean-West Africa) Genoa-Valencia-Algeciras-Dakar (Senegal)-Tincan-Lagos (Nigeria)-Tema Harbour (Ghana)-Abidjan (Cote d'Ivoire)-Genoa
  • CIX1 (China-India) Shanghai-Ningbo-Shekou-Nansha-Singapore-Klang-Nhava Sheva- Karachi-Singapore-Shanghai)
  • CIX3 (China India Express 3) Shanghai-Xiamen-Hong Kong-Shekou-Nansha-Singapore-Colombo-Nhava Sheva-Pipavav-Colombo-Klang-Singapore-Hong Kong-Shanghai
  • PMX (Asia-Pakistan) Shanghai-Ningbo-Fuzhou-Shekou-Singapore-Klang-Colombo-Karachi-Mundra-Klang-Singapore-Shanghai
  • CPX (China-Pakistan) Shanghai-Ningbo-Shekou-Singapore-Karachi-Mundra-Klang-Singapore-Hong Kong-Shanghai
  • CPX3 (China-Pakistan) Qingdao-Shanghai-Ningbo-Shekou-Singapore-Klang-Mundra-Karachi-Port Qasim-Singapore-Qingdao
  • FI3 (Far East-India) Dalian-Xingang-Qingdao-Busan-Kwangyang-Ningbo-Singapore-Tanjung Pelepas-Colombo-Nhava Sheva-Pipavav-Singapore-Dalian
  • EM3 (East Mediterranean Service 3) Hamad-Jubail-Jebel Ali-Mundra-Nhava Sheva-Colombo-Port Said-Mersin-Piraeus-Istanbul-Mersin-Iskenderun-Jebel Ali-Abu Dhabi-Hamad
  • IP1 (Middle East-Northern Europe) Karachi-Nhava Sheva-Hazira-Mundra-King Abdullah-Gioia Tauro-Tangier-Southampton-Rotterdam-Antwerp-London Gateway-Le Havre-King Abdullah-Djibouti-Karachi
  • IP2 (Middle East-Northern Europe) Jebel Ali-Karachi-Nhava Sheva-Mundra-Jeddah-Tangier-Rotterdam-Hamburg-London Gateway-Antwerp-Le Havre-Tangier-Jeddah-Jebel Ali

THE Alliance shipping routes

Follows the complete list with trade routes (ports) operated by THE Alliance companies (NYK, Hanjin, Hapag-Lloyd, K-Line, Mitsui OSK, Yang-Ming):

Asia-North Europe

  • (FE1) Kobe-Nagoya-Shimizu-Tokyo-(Southeast Asia Hub)-Jeddah-Rotterdam-Hamburg-Southampton-Le Havre-(Southeast Asia Hub)-Kobe
  • (FE2) Xingang-Qingdao-Shanghai-Ningbo-Hong Kong-South China-(Southeast Asia Hub)-Southampton-Le Havre-Hamburg-Rotterdam-Jebel Ali-Hong Kong-Xingang
  • (FE3) Hong Kong-Xiamen-Kaohsiung-South China-Rotterdam-Hamburg-Antwerp-Le Havre-London Gateway-(Southeast Asia Hub)-Hong Kong
  • (FE4) Busan-Ningbo-Shanghai-Rotterdam-Hamburg-Antwerp-Southampton-South China-Shanghai-Busan
  • (FE5) Laem Chabang-Cai Mep-(Southeast Asia Hub)-Colombo-Rotterdam-Hamburg-Antwerp-Southampton-Jeddah-Colombo-(Southeast Asia Hub)-Laem Chabang

Asia-Mediterranean

  • (MD1) Qingdao-Busan-Shanghai-Ningbo-South China-(Southeast Asia Hub)-Damietta-Barcelona-Valencia-Tangier-Damietta-(Southeast Asia Hub)-Hong Kong-Qingdao
  • (MD2) Busan-Qingdao-Ningbo-Shanghai-Kaohsiung-South China-(Southeast Asia Hub)-Piraeus-Genoa-La Spezia-Fos-Piraeus-(Southeast Asia Hub)-Hong Kong-Busan
  • (MD3) Busan-Shanghai-Ningbo-South China-(Southeast Asia Hub)-Jeddah-Ashdod-Istanbul (Ambarli)-Izmit-Izmir/Aliaga-Mersin-(Ashdod)-Jeddah-(Southeast Asia Hub)-Kaohsiung-Busan

Asia-Middle East

  • (AGX) Busan-Qingdao-Shanghai-Ningbo-South China-Southeast Asia Hub-Jebel Ali-Jubail-Dammam-Abu Dhabi-Jebel Ali-Southeast Asia Hub-Ningbo-Busan
  • (AGX2) Shanghai-Ningbo-Kaohsiung -Xiamen-South China-Southeast Asia Hub-Jebel Ali-Hamad-Umm Qasar-Jebel Ali-Southeast Asia Hub-Kaohsiung-Shanghai
  • (CIMEX 6) Shanghai-Ningbo-Taipei-Shekou-Tanjung Pelepas-Klang-Dubai (Jebel Ali)-Umm Qasr (Iraq)-Jebel Ali-Klang-Hong Kong-Shanghai. China to Iraq (Shanghai-Umm Qasr) crossing time is 24 days.
  • (CIMEX 2K2) Shanghai-Ningbo-Shekou-Nansha-Singapore-Klang-Nhava Sheva-Karachi (SAPT)-Singapore-Shanghai. Transit times are 18 days (Shanghai to Nhava Sheva / Mumbai India) and 22 days (Shanghai to Karachi / Pakistan).

TransPacific (Asia-Canada, Asia-USA West Coast, Asia-Latin America)

  • (ACE-Asia Caribbean Express) Singapore-Shekou-Hong Kong-Kaohsiung-Ningbo-Yangshan-Qingdao-Busan-Ensenada-Manzanillo Mexico-Manzanillo Panama-Cartegena-Kingston-Caucedo-Singapore
  • (QEX-Quetzal Express) Kaohsiung-China (Shekou-Hong Kong-Ningbo-Shanghai)-Mexico (Manzanillo, Lazaro Cardenas)-Guatemala (Puerto Quetzal)-Colombia (Buenaventura)-Ecuador (Guayaquil)-Peru (Callao)-Manzanillo-South Korea (Busan)-Kaohsiung
  • (CDX-Condor Express) Kaohsiung-Hong Kong-Shekou-Ningbo-Shanghai-Busan-Manzanillo-Lazaro Cardenas-Buenaventura-Callao-Lazaro Cardenas-Manzanillo-Ensenada-Yokohama-Busan-Kaohsiung
  • (FCX-Falcon Express) Xiamen-Yantian-Shanghai-Qingdao-Busan-Ensenada-Manzanillo,-Callao-San Antonio-Lirquen-Manzanillo-Shanghai-Xiamen
  • (CRX-Caracara Express) Hong Kong-Yantian-Kaohsiung-Ningbo-Shanghai-Manzanillo-Buenaventura-Callao-San Antonio-Hong Kong
  • (PN1) Shanghai-Qingdao-Nagoya-Tokyo-Tacoma-Vancouver-Tokyo-Nagoya-Kobe-Shanghai
  • (PN2) Southeast Asia Hub-Laem Chabang-Cai Mep-Kaohsiung-South China-Tacoma-Vancouver-Tokyo-Kobe-Kaohsiung-Southeast Asia Hub
  • (PN3) Hong Kong-South China-Ningbo-Shanghai-Busan-Vancouver-Seattle-Busan-Hong Kong
  • (PS1) Kobe-Nagoya-Tokyo-Sendai-Los Angeles-Oakland-Tokyo-Nagoya-Kobe
  • (PS2) Kobe-Nagoya-Shimizu-Tokyo-Long Beach-Oakland-Tokyo-Kobe
  • (PS3) Southeast Asia Hub-Laem Chabang-Cai Mep-Los Angeles-Oakland-Busan-Shanghai-Ningbo-South China-Southeast Asia Hub-Nhava Sheva-Pipavav-Colombo-Southeast Asia Hub
  • (PS4) Hong Kong-South China-Kaohsiung-Keelung -Los Angeles -Oakland-Keelung -Kaohsiung-Xiamen-Hong Kong
  • (PS5) Shanghai-Ningbo -Los Angeles-Oakland-Shanghai
  • (PS6) Qingdao-Ningbo-Shanghai-Busan -Long Beach-Oakland-Tokyo-Qingdao
  • (PS7) Hong Kong-South China-Los Angeles-Oakland-Hong Kong
  • (PS8) Xingang-Qingdao-Shanghai-Busan -Pacific North West-Los Angeles-Tacoma-Busan-Kwangyang-Xingang
  • (EX1) Qingdao-Shanghai-Busan-Los Angeles (CA USA)-Oakland (CA USA)-Yokohama-Naha-Busan-Qingdao

TransPacific (via Panama Canal and Suez Canal)

  • (EC1) Ningbo-Shanghai-Busan-Tokyo-(Panama Canal)-Manzanillo-Savannah-Jacksonville-Charleston-Norfolk-Manzanillo-(Panama Canal)-Balboa-Los Angeles-Oakland-Tokyo-Kobe-Ningbo
  • (EC2) Qingdao-Ningbo-Shanghai-Busan-(Panama Canal)-Manzanillo-New York-Boston-Wilmington-Savannah-Charleston-Manzanillo-(Panama Canal)-Busan-Qingdao
  • (EC3) Kaohsiung-Xiamen-Hong Kong-South China-Shanghai-(Panama Canal)-Manzanillo-Savannah-Jacksonville-Norfolk-Manzanillo-(Panama Canal)-Balboa-Busan-Kaohsiung
  • (EC4) Kaohsiung-Hong Kong-South China-Cai Mep-Southeast Asia Hub-(Suez Canal)-New York-Norfolk-Savannah-Charleston-New York-(Suez Canal)-Southeast Asia Hub-Kaohsiung
  • (EC5) Laem Chabang-Cai Mep-Southeast Asia Hub-Colombo-(Suez Canal)-Halifax-NYC-Savannah-Jacksonville-Norfolk-Halifax-(Suez Canal) -Jebel Ali-Singapore-Laem Chabang.

TransAtlantic (Europe-USA and Canada)

  • (AL1) Rotterdam-Bremerhaven-Antwerp-London Gateway-Norfolk-Philadelphia-New York-Halifax-Rotterdam
  • (AL2) London Gateway-Le Havre-Rotterdam-Bremerhaven-New York-Charleston-Savannah-London
  • (AL3) Antwerp-Bremerhaven-London Gateway-Charleston-Port Everglades-Houston-Savannah-Norfolk-Antwerp
  • (AL4) London Gateway-Antwerp-Bremerhaven-Le Havre-Veracruz-Altamira-Houston-New Orleans-London
  • (AL5 / through Panama Canal) Southampton-Rotterdam-Hamburg-Antwerp-Le Havre-Savannah-Cartagena-Puerto Quetzal-Long Beach-Oakland-Tacoma-Vancouver-Oakland -Long Beach-Balboa-Cartagena-Caucedo-Savannah-Southampton
  • (AL6) La Spezia-Genoa-Marseille-Barcelona-Valencia-NYC-Norfolk-Savannah-Miami-Algeciras-La Spezia
  • (AL7) Barcelona-Valencia-Algeciras-Halifax-NYC-Norfolk-Savannah-Valencia-Tarragona

Marine shipping trade statistics

The following data is exemplary and based on 2013's shipping trade statistics. All numbers (in brackets are a million TEUs shipped) representing the routes' cargo trade volume.

  • Between Asia and North America (USA-Canada) - westbound (7,739), eastbound (15,386), total (23,125)
  • Between Asia and Europe (Northern) - westbound (9,187), eastbound (4,519), total (13,706)
  • Between Asia and Europe (Mediterranean) - westbound (4,678), eastbound (2,061), total (6,739)
  • Between Asia and Middle East - westbound (3,7), eastbound (1,314), total (5,014)
  • Between Asia and South America (East Coast) - northbound (0,621), southbound (1,51), total (2,131)
  • Between Europe and South America (East Coast) - northbound (0,795), southbound (0,885), total (1,68)
  • Between Europe and North America (USA-Canada) - westbound (2,636), eastbound (2,074), total (4,71)
  • Between North America and South America (East Coast) - northbound (0,656), southbound (0,65), total (1,306)
  • Between Australia and Far East - northbound (1072), southbound (1851), total (2923).

In May 2017, APM Terminals and THE Alliance launched the AL4 route between Mobile Alabama and Northern European seaports. AL4 is a weekly service roundtrip from Mobile AL to Southampton, Antwerp, Bremerhaven, Le Havre-Paris, Veracruz, Altamira (Spain), Houston TX, NOLA New Orleans, Mobile AL. APM Terminals Mobile opened in 2008 and reported record-year in 2016 (277,307 TEUs).

cargo container ship (Maersk)

Follows the list of world's largest container shipping companies and their largest vessels per fleet.

List of largest MAERSK ships

MAERSK (1928-founded) is the largest shipping company in the world. It is a subsidiary (division) of the Danish "AP Moller-Maersk Group". MAERSK operates worldwide via 374 offices in 116 countries, employs ~7000 seafarers plus ~25000 land-based staff. Maersk ships are 600+, with total capacity 3,8 million TEUs. APM-Maersk bought P&O Nedlloyd (company's largest member) in 2005. P&O Nedlloyd once operated the world's 3rd-largest fleet.

In 2016, APM-Maersk controlled ~20% of all TEUs transported from Asia to Europe.

In 2022, Maersk ordered to HHI-Hyundai 6x 17K-TEU dual-fuel boxships (also running on methanol).

The largest Maersk ships (all with suffix "Maersk") are:

  1. Maastricht (2019 / 20568 TEU)
  2. Manchester, Marseille, Murcia, Manila, Mumbai (2018 / 20568 TEU)
  3. Madrid, Munich, Moscow, Milan, Monaco (2017 / 20568 TEU)
  4. DSME order for 11 vessels of 19630 TEU (2nd generation Triple-E class)
  5. Marchen, Marit, Margrethe, Mathilde, Mette (2015 / 18270 TEU)
  6. Maren, Maribo, Marstal, Matz, Mayview, Merete, Mogens, Morten, Munkebo (2014 / 18270 TEU)-Triple-E series
  7. Magleby, McKinney Moller, Madison, Majestic, Marie, Mary (2013 / 18270 TEU) - Triple-E series
  8. Eugen (2008 / 15500 TEU) - E series
  9. Eleonora, Evelyn, Ebba, Elly, Edith (2007 / 15500 TEU) - E series
  10. Emma, Estelle (2006 / 15500 TEU) - E series
  11. Hangzhou, Hanoi, Hamburg, Herrera (2018 / 15226 TEU)
  12. Hong Kong, Horsburgh, Honam, Hidalgo (2017 / 15226 TEU)
  13. Lome, Tema (2015, 14000 TEU)
  14. Danube, Euphrates, Indis, Tigris (2014, 14000 TEU)
  15. Edison, Eubank (2011 / 13092 TEU) Zodiac Maritime charter
  16. Edmonton, Elba, Essex, Evora (2011 / 13092 TEU) Rickmers charter
  17. Edinburgh, Eindhoven, Emden, Essen (2010 / 13092 TEU) Rickmers charter.

Note: All 20K-TEU ships are of the Maersk Names H-Class. All 18K-TEU vessels are of the Triple-E class ("Economy-Energy-Environment"). Next 8 vessels are E-class (all ship names begin with "E") built in the period 2006-2008. The 13100 TEU series ("Edinburgh class") includes only chartered container ships. The shipping market's charter rates (per day) for cargo vessels of this size and capacity are between US$50-65 thousand.

MAERSK vessel details (20568 TEU - largest)

Madrid Maersk (launched April 2017) was the first of all 11 "H-class" (2nd generation) vessels. Maersk Line ordered a total of 27 vessels (11x 20568 TEU, 16x 18270 TEU), thus replacing all older ships by 2018's end. Ship's depth was increased to allow 12 tiers, and its width was improved to allow 24 bays and 23 container rows across weather deck. The bridge was moved 2 bays toward the ship's bow - to optimize its cargo capacity and to make it easier for stowage. The engines are lighter (7-cylinder MAN, instead of the 8-cylinder engines for the 18270 TEU ships), which increased load capacity and improved deadweight / DWT limitations.

  • Builder: Daewoo Shipbuilding (South Korea)
  • Class: Maersk H-Class (ULCV)
  • Building cost: US$113 million (each)
  • Flag: Denmark
  • Capacity: 20568 TEU / 1800 refrigerated
  • Crew: 22
  • Engines: MAN (twin main engine), IMO Tier II compliant
  • Propulsion: shaft generator motors double as electrical power generators; GE Marine provided its patented PTO/PTI technology (abbrev "power take-off/power take-in").
  • Power output: 52,65 MW
  • Speed: 21 kn / 24 mph / 39 kph
  • Draft: 16 m / 53 ft
  • Width: 58,6 m / 192 ft
  • Length: 399 m / 1309 ft
  • Volume/GT Tonnage: 214,286t
  • DWT Tonnage: 206,000t

MAERSK vessel details (18270 TEU)

Following a 2016 contract with Wartsila (marine engines and equipment manufacturer), all largest MAERSK ships (old and new / under construction in China and South Korea) were upgraded with Wartsila's "Nacos Platinum" system - integrated control-monitoring system covering vessel's navigation, automation, powerplant and propulsion.

Each boxship is equipped with a waste-heat recovery system (burning the exhaust gasses to provide additional propulsion and decreasing CO2 emissions), new-design main engine, improved architecture, and improved propulsion units, resulting in lower fuel consumption and better dynamic characteristics.

MAERSK "Triple E-Class" units are also the world's largest by above-deck containers volume. "Triple E" comes from class' 3 main design principles - "Economy of scale", "Energy-efficient", "Environmentally improved". These are also the world's most efficient per TEU ships. Mc-Kinney Moller was the 1st of all 20 identical container carriers. Initially, these vessels were operated well under their max cargo capacity, as most seaports certified to handle MAERSK's Triple-E ships lacked gantry cranes tall enough to fully handle them. Fun fact is that all their names start with "M".

  • Building cost: US$190 million (total US$3,8 billion)
  • Builder: Daewoo Shipbuilding (South Korea)
  • Capacity: 18270 TEU / 1800 refrigerated
  • Crew: 22
  • Engines: MAN 8S80ME-C 9.2
  • Power output: 59,36 MW
  • Speed: 22 Kn / 25 mph / 41 kph
  • Draft: 16 m / 53 ft
  • Width: 59 m / 194 ft
  • Length: 400 m / 1312 ft
  • NT/Net Tonnage: 79,120t
  • Volume/GT Tonnage: 194,849t
  • DWT Tonnage: 194,153t

In Oct 2022 MAERSK ordered 6x 17K units from HHI-Hyundai (delivered by 2025), to a total of 19x vessels with dual-fuel engines (LNG and methanol) replacing older ships.

MAERSK vessel details (15500 TEU)

MAERSK "E-class "vessels have hulls painted below the waterline with environmentally-friendly, silicone-based paint. The technology further reduces water resistance (fuel consumption) by 1200 t per vessel per year. These boxships are highly automated and controlled by advanced computer systems. They are equipped with an integrated computer system housed in the engine control room. The system monitors 8000 data signals and can be controlled remotely from the bridge and cargo control room. This allows reducing the crew to just 13. Fun fact is that all their names start with "E".

  • Builder: Odense Steel Shipyard Ltd (Denmark)
  • Capacity: 15500 TEU / 1000 refrigerated
  • Crew: 13
  • Engines: Wartsila Sulzer RTA96-C
  • Power output: 80,08 MW
  • Speed: 24,5 kn / 28 mph / 44 kph
  • Draft: 16 m / 53 ft
  • Width: 56 m / 184 ft
  • Length: 397 m / 1304 ft
  • NT/Net Tonnage: 55,396t
  • Volume/GT Tonnage: 170,794t
  • DWT Tonnage: 156,907t

The 2017-built ships (capacity 15226 TEUs) have length 353m/1158 ft, width 54m/176 ft, GT 153,153t.

MAERSK LINE

Following a contract signed in 2016 with Wartsila (marine engines and equipment manufacturer), all the MAERSK line's largest ships (the old ones, and the new vessels under construction in China and South Korea) will be upgraded with Wartsila's advanced "Nacos Platinum" system. This is an integrated control and monitoring system covering the vessel's navigation, automation, power plant, and propulsion.

In May 2016 was announced the contract with GE (Marine Solutions department/power conversion) for providing MAERSK Line with GE's latest PTO/PTI technology (abbrev from "Power Take-Off/Power Take In"). It consists of 2 drives and 2 induction motors (instead of synchronous motors) plus power management system. This technology provides excess power on demand, at the same time reducing fuel consumption. When the propel is not used, PTO/PTI directs the surplus energy to power systems and equipment on the ship. The equipment also includes a shaft generator motor (positioned between the propeller and the main engine) acting as either generator or booster. It generates electrical power by harnessing the drive shaft's mechanical energy and converting it into electricity (from the slowest speed all the way up to the design speed). The contract is for equipping eleven MAERSK 2nd generation Triple-E ships (each with TEU capacity 19630). GE's power conversion equipment was installed during the vessels' construction at the DSME shipyard in South Korea.

In 2016, MAERSK owned 254 and chartered 345 vessels.

As of 2022, MAERSK owns/charters 738 vessels (4,282M TEUs, or ~17% of the market).

List of largest MSC ships

MSC shipping (abbrev "Mediterranean Shipping Company SA", 1970-founded) is the SECOND largest shipping line in the world in terms of TEU capacity. MSC is not stock-listed (a unique feature for a huge corporation). In 2014, MSC's fleet had 471 ships (2,55 million TEUs). MSC is Switzerland-based and operates in all major seaports. Part of MSC Group (subsidiaries) are MSC Cruises and Explora Journeys.

The largest MSC boxships are:

  1. 2023 (24346 TEU) - Irina, Loreto, Michel Cappellini, Mariella, Micol, Turkiye
  2. 2023 (24116) Tessa, Gemma, Celestino Maresca, Claude Girardet, Mariella, Mette, Nicola Mastro, China, Raya
  3. 2021 (23656) Arina, Nela, Sixin, Isabella, Apolline, Amelia, Diletta, Michelle, Allegra
  4. 2019-2020 (23756) Gulsun, Mina, Samar, Leni, Mia, Febe, Ambra
  5. 2016-2017 (19400) Anna, Viviana
  6. 2017 (19224) Leanne, Rifaya, Tina
  7. 2015-2016 (19224) Clara, Maya, Oliver, Oscar, Sveva, Zoe, Diana, Ditte, Eloane, Erica, Ingy, Jade, Mirja, Mirjam, Reef
  8. 2014 (18270) New York
  9. 2014-2015-2016 (16650) London, Venice, Amsterdam, Hamburg, Istanbul
  10. 2009-2010-2011-2012 (14000) Deila, Valeria, Fillippa, Ravenna, Taranto, Alexandra, Genova, La Spezia, Melatilde, Paloma, Rosa M, Savona, Danit, Camille
  11. 2008-2009-2010 (13798) Beatrice, Gaia, Livorno, Sonia, Bettina, Emanuela, Eva, Irene, Kalina, Daniela

In October 2019, MSC ordered 5x 23K-TEU ships from DSME South Korea (Daewoo Shipbuilding) for US$762 million ($152,4M per unit).

In 2022 started the deliveries of MSC's biggest (24K-TEU, LOA 400 m/width 61,5 m) ULCVs (4x units ordered) by China's Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding.

MSC vessel details (23756 TEU - largest)

In September 2017 was announced that MSC is close to signing a ship order with Samsung for up to 6x 22,000 TEU ships plus another 5x by Daewoo.

In 2019, to MSC Shipping were delivered 11 vessels, each with capacity 23,756 TEUs, GT 232,000t, LOA 400m/1312ft, width 61,4m/201 ft, draught 16m/53 ft.

These ships (constructed in South Korea by SAMSUNG and DAEWOO in 2017-19) are classed "Megamax 24" and able to stack 24 rows of TEUs. The preceding "Megamax 23" class (capacity 18-20K-TEUs) can stack 23 rows.

MSC vessel details (19400-19200 TEU)

Fun fact is the each of MSC's 19000 TEU boxships can carry an equivalent of 39000 cars. This is a series of all 20 newPanamax ULCVs (ultra-large container vessels), 6 of which were delivered in 2015, and the remainder in 2016-17. Best features include innovative engine design (low fuel consumption), double-hull structure, optimized propulsion (decreases fuel consumption and CO2 emissions with ~35% per TEU compared to conventional MSC ships).

  • class "Megamax 23"
  • Building cost: US$140 million each
  • Builder: Daewoo Shipbuilding (South Korea)
  • Capacity: 19224 TEU / 1800 refrigerated
  • Crew: 35
  • Engines: MAN 11S90ME-C (10.2)
  • Power output: 16 MW (21,000 hp)
  • Speed: 22,8 kn / 25 mph / 41 kph
  • Draft: 16 m / 53 ft
  • Width: 59 m / 194 ft
  • Length: 1 (395 m / 1296 ft), 2 (398 / 1307), 3 (400 / 1312)
  • NT/Net Tonnage: 111,432t
  • Volume/GT Tonnage: 1 (192,240t), 2 (194,310), 3 (193,490)
  • DWT Tonnage: 197,362t
  • Flag: Liberia
  • Shipowners: Ocean Wind Shipping, Tiny Box Shipping, Xianggui International Ship Lease.

Note: The 19K-TEU class' stats are 19368 TEUs, GT 187,587, width 58,6m/192 ft.

MSC vessel details (14000 TEU)

Ship design ensures lower trim and better stability when fully loaded. The main engine's full output (72,24 MW /98875 HP) allows max speed 25 KN (29 mph / 46 kph).

  • Builder: Daewoo Shipbuilding
  • Capacity: 14000 TEU / 2000 refrigerated
  • Crew: 30
  • Engines: MAN 12K98MC-C
  • Power output: 72,24 MW
  • Speed: 22 Kn / 25 mph / 41 kph
  • Draft: 16 m / 53 ft
  • Width: 51 m / 167 ft
  • Length: 352 m / 1155 ft
  • NT/Net Tonnage: 89,067t
  • Volume/GT Tonnage: 153,115t
  • DWT Tonnage: 165,887t

Daewoo's design features a 9-deck-high midship bridge superstructure, while funnels and engine room are placed aft, for better stability.

MSC vessel details (13800 TEU)

MSC ordered a total of 26 vessels (ranging 13800 to 14000 TEUs) to Daewoo and Samsung. The bigger ones are all Daewoo-built. MSC's 13800 TEU ship design ensures lower drag and better stability when fully loaded. The ship features separate engine room and deckhouse (bow-located). This was done to cut down on ballast water and to achieve max cargo capacity. The hull is fitted with high tensile steel to increase stiffness and reduce bending. Fuel tanks are below deckhouse. Close to the engine room are positioned 7 standard cargo holds plus an additional smaller one. The ship has all 25 lashings ("lashing bridges") for optimum container distribution, additional stability and higher cargo loads. Lashings' height is nearly the same as one of two tiers.

  • Builder: Samsung Heavy Industries (South Korea)
  • Capacity: 13798 TEU / 1000 refrigerated
  • Crew: 30
  • Engines: MAN 12K98MC-C
  • Power output: 72,24 MW
  • Speed: 23,5 kn / 26 mph / 43 kph
  • Draft: 15 m / 49 ft
  • Width: 51 m / 167 ft
  • Length: 366 m / 1201 ft
  • NT/Net Tonnage: 83,150t
  • Volume/GT Tonnage: 151,560t
  • DWT Tonnage: 162,870t

In 2016, MSC owned 193 and chartered 299 vessels.

As of 2022, MSC owns/charters 645 vessels (4,285M TEUs, or ~17% of the market).

List of largest CMA CGM ships

CMA CGM Line is the THIRD largest container shipping company in the world. It serves 170 trade routes connecting 400 seaports in 150 countries, with fleet capacity 2+ million TEUs. Company's main headquarters are in France (Marseille), while its North American headquarters are in the USA (Norfolk VA). Each CMA CGM ship has 20-25 crew. Company's majority owner is the Saade family (Marseille, France), 24% of shares are owned by YILDIRIM Group (Turkey). Jacques Saade is the company's founder, CEO and Group Chairman.

In 2017, CMA CGM (through its subsidiary ANL) purchased the majority shares of SOFRANA Unilines (Oceania-South Pacific). SOFRANA operated 10 vessels on 8 routes, serving 21 ports in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, South Pacific islands. The company joined CMA-CGM as part of SOFRANA ANL Group.

In November 2018, CMA CGM Group acquired the Finland-based Containerships PLC (1966-founded) from Container Finance Ltd Oy. Containerships PLC operates in Northern Europe/Baltic Sea, having 2700 employees and 130 offices worldwide. In April 2019, CMA-CGM united its 2 brands (Containerships, MacAndrews) under the "Containerships" brand.

MacAndrews was acquired in 2014 and in 2018 merged with OPDR Germany GmbH (previously owned by Bernhard Schulte Group). OPDR-MacAndrews provides rail-road-sea transport services, specializing in container shipping on Intra-European routes (mainly between North-Central Europe and Iberia-Canaries-Morocco).

cma-cgm container ship toy (VILAC)

In 2019-2021, CMA-CGM launched 9x China-made (5x Jiangnan + 4x Hudong) 23K-TEU vessels - Jacques Saade, Palais Royal, Concorde, Champs Elysees, Louvre, Rivoli, Montmartre, Trocadero, Sorbonne.

  1. 2018 (20,954 TEU) Antoine de Saint Exupery, Jean Mermoz, Louis Bleriot
  2. 2015 (17722) Benjamin Franklin, Bougainville, Georg Forster, James Cook, Kerguelen, Vasco De Gama, Zheng He
  3. 2012-2013 (16020) Alexander von Humboldt, Jules Verne, Marco Polo, Zephyr
  4. 2015-2017-2018 (14414) Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, J Madison, Theodore Roosevelt

On September 19, 2017, CMA CGM signed an order with CSSC Group for 9x 22K-TEU/largest boxships. In 2017, CMA CGM had in China 3000+ employees (61 agencies), 119 shipping lines (serving 13 Chinese ports), 5 weekly services China-France (2 weekly Marseille-Shanghai).

In February 2019, CMA CGM signed with CSSC a shipbuilding order for nine 23K-TEU ships (total value US$1,54 billion/ US$171 million per ship). The vessels were constructed by CSSC's shipyards Shanghai-Jiangnan and Hudong-Zhonghua. The LNG-powered ships have dual-fuel engines (WinGD 12X92DF, max power output 63,84 MW / 85,611 HP) each weighing ~2100 tons. Gas tanks' capacity is 18,600 m3.

CMA CGM vessel details (23000 TEUs - world's largest)

During the Bonn Climate Change Conference (COP23) in November 2017, CMA-CGM announced that its 9 future ships (23,000 TEU-series, scheduled deliveries 2019-2020) are LNG-powered, making CMA-CGM world's first shipping company equipped with large-capacity newbuild boxships with LNG engines.

The low-speed, dual-fuel engines are "WinGD X-DF" (with low-pressure gas admission) by the Swiss company WinGD (Winterthur Gas & Diesel Ltd, 2015-founded). CMA-CGM ordered WinGD's largest engine (model 12X92DF) to power these ships.

 

These vessels have length 400m, width 61m, draft 33,5m, DWT 220,000t, 2200 reefers (refrigerated containers, or 1/5 of the total TEUs). Four ships are built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding (CSSC-owned), the other five - by Jiangnan Shipbuilding Co Ltd. French company GTT designed vessel's cryogenic tanks (storing the LNG), which have combined capacity (per ship) 18600 m3. Membrane tanks were built by Hudong-Zhonghua.

Compared to marine diesel engines (on HFO / heavy fuel oil), using LNG results in up to 25% reduction in CO2, 99% in SOx, 85% in NOx and 99% in soot particles. In a 10-year period (2005-2015), CMA CGM Group has reduced the fleet's CO2 emissions (per TEU per km) by 50%. Its next 10-year plan (2015-2025) further reduces the fleet's CO2 emissions by 30%.

CMA CGM vessel details (21000 TEU)

In 2018 were scheduled for delivery 3 vessels with capacity 20600 TEUs (20776), which is approx 123 km / 76,4 mi long line of containers. The first delivered was Antoine de Saint Exupery (on Feb 6).

  • Shipbuilder: HHIC-Phil Inc ("Hanjin Heavy Industries and Construction-Philippines")
  • Crew: 27
  • Speed: 25 Kn / 29 mph / 47 kph
  • Draft: 16 m / 53 ft
  • Width: 59 m / 194 ft
  • Length: 400 m / 1312 ft
  • Volume/GT Tonnage: 199,000t
  • DWT Tonnage: 199,855t

CMA CGM vessel details (18000 TEU)

These boxships have all the latest marine technologies implemented. The optimized hull design features bulbous bow and double-hull protection. The advanced steering system features twisted-edge rudder with bulb. The vessel's fast oil-recovery system retrieves quickly and efficiently hydrocarbons in fuel bunkers. There is equipment limiting the risk of hydraulic oil leakage.

The latest generation MAN diesel engine is electronically-controlled and self-adjusted, featuring automatically-tuned system decreasing CO2 emissions by 10% (37g per container per km compared to the old design) ranking them among the greenest. These vessels exceed all marine transportation requirements and fully respond to IMO's 2025 energy efficiency regulations.

CMA CGM's 18000 TEU boxships are among the largest ever built in China. Fun facts. If aligned, all containers would cover the Hamburg-Hanover distance. Engine's thrust is equivalent to the one generated by 10x Airbus A380 (4-engine jet airliners - the largest passenger aircraft in the world today). The power output is equal to that of 900 mid-class automobiles. The power plant produces electricity enough to sustain 16000 households.

  • Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (SWS, a CSSC's subsidiary)
  • Building cost: US$151 million
  • Capacity: 18000 TEU / 1100 refrigerated
  • Cargo tonnage: 240,000t
  • Crew: 27
  • Engines: MAN 11S90ME-C9.2
  • Fuel consumption: 330 tons per day
  • Power output: 65,5 MW
  • Speed: 25 Kn / 29 mph / 47 kph
  • Draft: 16 m / 53 ft
  • Width: 54 m / 177 ft
  • Length: 398 m / 1305 ft
  • NT/Net Tonnage: 100,000t
  • Volume/GT Tonnage: 175,690t
  • DWT Tonnage: 185,000t

CMA CGM vessel details (16000 TEU)

These boxships offer cargo cruises with 5 double passenger cabins available for booking through CMA CGM. Guests can share the everyday crew life and take advantage of a small lounge with a TV set, and even a swimming pool, gym room, small library. Fun fact is that the 16,000 containers (If lined side by side) would stretch 97 km / 60 mi end to end.

  • Daewoo Shipbuilding (South Korea)
  • Capacity: 16020 TEU / 1100 refrigerated
  • Crew: 27
  • Engines: Wartsila-Hyundai 14RT-flex96C
  • Power output: 80,08 MW
  • Speed: 25 Kn / 29 mph / 47 kph
  • Draft: 16 m / 53 ft
  • Width: 53,6 m / 175 ft
  • Length: 396 m / 1300 ft
  • NT/Net Tonnage: 101,053t
  • Volume/GT Tonnage: 175,343t
  • DWT Tonnage: 186,470t

CMA CGM vessel details (14000 TEU)

These are the company's "Explorer" series of all 8 units, all named after famous explorers. They are all "Clean Ship C" Bureau Veritas classified and implement many of the latest marine technologies, such as optimized hull design, double-hull tanks, electronically-controlled diesel engines, Fast Oil Recovery System.

These ships have 1 twin and 4 double-bed cabins (for max 10 cruise passengers), dedicated passenger lounge, outside terrace, swimming pool, modern gym.

  • Daewoo Shipbuilding (South Korea)
  • Capacity: 13830 TEU / 800 refrigerated
  • Crew: 27
  • Engines: Wartsila-Hyundai 14 RT Flex 96C
  • Power output: 80,08 MW
  • Speed: 24 kn / 28 mph / 44 kph
  • Draft: 16 m / 53 ft
  • Width: 51 m / 167 ft
  • Length: 366 m / 1201 ft
  • NT/Net Tonnage: 81,900t
  • Volume/GT Tonnage: 152,991t
  • DWT Tonnage: 156,887t

CMA CGM vessel details (12600 TEU)

This is a series of all 5 boxships, of which only 2 were ever produced (Alaska, Nevada). The names chosen for the other 3 were Montana, Colorado, California.

  • Samsung Shipbuilding (South Korea)
  • Capacity: 12552 TEU / 1000 refrigerated
  • Crew: 22
  • Engines: MAN 12K98 ME-C7.1
  • Power output: 72,24 MW
  • Speed: 24 Kn / 28 mph / 44 kph
  • Draft: 16 m / 53 ft
  • Width: 48 m / 157 ft
  • Length: 366 m / 1201 ft
  • NT/Net Tonnage: 75,664t
  • Volume/GT Tonnage: 140,259t
  • DWT Tonnage: 142,400t

CMA CGM LINE

In December 2015, the CMA CGM company started talks for financing for the Singapore-listed NOL (abbrev from "Neptune Orient Lines") acquisition. The talks were with some of the world's largest banks, including BNP Paribas, HSBC, JP Morgan. The NOL's debt was close to US$3 billion, while the company's market capitalization was close to US$2 billion. The deal is CMA CGM to buy off the stocks of the NOL's largest shareholder Temasek Holdings (65% of all shares), eventually leading to an offer for the whole NOL company. On April 29, 2016, CMA CGM announced it has received the European Commission's approval for the deal.

Bougainville became the world's first-ever boxship with implemented TRAXENS technology, transforming standard TEUs into "smart containers". The system enables all container units to communicate with the line's headquarters (via data centers), with the ship's management and also among themselves using built-in antennas. TRAXENS collects in real-time data about the TEU's location, temperature, and humidity, vibrations, any impacts or attempted unauthorized openings, customs clearance, etc.

In November 2015, CMA-CGM and VILAC (French wooden toys manufacturer) created a co-branding partnership, launching the world's first-ever wooden containership toy - "My First Containership". It is available for purchase at all VILAC-distributing stores and also online.

In 2016, CMA CGM owned 83 and chartered 380 vessels.

In 2018, CMA CGM offered 41 line services with 331 ships.

As of 2022, CMA CGM owns/charters 566 vessels (3,168M TEUs, or 12,5% of the market).

List of largest EVERGREEN ships

EVERGREEN MARINE (1968-founded) is a Taiwan-based freight shipping corporation with many divisions and subsidiaries, among which Uniglory Marine (Taiwan), Hatsu Marine (UK), Italia Marittima (Italy). Company's other markets are shipbuilding, container construction, port management, maritime engineering.

EVERGREEN is also in East Asia's air travel industry via partnerships with EVA Airways (Taiwan) and Uni Air (China). EVERGREEN MARINE Corporation (EMC) is the FOURTH largest container ship company in the world, with 150+ vessels linking 240+ ports in 80+ countries.

EVERGREEN's main routes are Asia-Europe (via Suez Canal) and Asia-USA (East Coast). Most containers are painted green (with black lettering), reefers (refrigerated TEUs) are white (with green lettering).

In 2015, EVERGREEN Group signed with Imabari (Japan) a shipbuilding order for 10x 2800-TEU ships (to a total of 20). The first was delivered in 2017. The whole series was completed in 2018.

All these boxships were deployed on Asian (intra-Asia) routes exclusively. The 20 new carriers are B-type categorized (length 690 ft / 211m, width 108 ft / 32,8m, draft 33 ft / 10m). This design allows each of them to dock easily in smaller and shallower terminals in Southeast Asian ports. The new EVERGREEN ships are capable to load 13 rows of containers on deck.

In September 2015, EVERGREEN Marine announced plans to charter 11x new 18K-TEU boxships.

In 2016, EVERGREEN owned 106 and chartered 99 vessels, and had 23x ship orders (355016 TEUs, or 36,2% of the existing fleet's capacity).

As of 2022, EVERGREEN owns/charters 202 vessels (1,346M TEUs, or 5,5% of the market).

The largest EVERGREEN ships are:

  1. EverAria, EverArm, EverArt, EverAlot, Ever Apex, EverAtop, Ever Acme (2022 / 23992 TEU)
  2. EverAce, EverAct, EverAim, EverAlp (2021 / 23992 TEU)
  3. EverGentle, EverGrade, EverGlory, EverGovern, EverGlobe, EverGreet (2019 / 20388 TEU)
  4. EverGolden, EverGoods, EverGenius, EverGiven, EverGifted (2018 / 20388 TEU)
  5. Triton, Titan, Talos, Taurus, Theseus (2016 / 14424 TEU)
  6. THALASSA Avra, Axia, Doxa, Elpida, Mana, Niki, Pistis, Tyhi (2014 / 13800 TEU) - chartered
  7. THALASSA Hellas, Patris (2013 / 13800 TEU) - chartered

In 2018 EVERGREEN chartered 12x and ordered 8x 11K-TEU vessels.

In Feb 2018 with SHI-Samsung Heavy Industries were ordered 8x boxships, with deliveries in 2020-2021, each 11K-TEUs (19 rows on deck), length 334m, width 48m, draft 15,5m, service speed 23 knots.

In 2021-2022 were delivered 8x 24K units.

In Nov 2018, EVERGREEN signed with Ship Finance International Ltd a Lease Financing. Totaling US$400M, the deal was for purchasing the 4x 14K-TEU vessels (chartered 2018 through 2024/plus optional 18x additional months). Each Lease Financing had a 9-year term and vessel purchasing option (after the 6-year charter).

In March were ordered (to SHI-Samsung) 20x 15K-TEU ships. In June 2021 were ordered (to (Hudong-Zhonghua) 2x 24K-TEU ULCVs (world's largest).

In Sept 2021, EVERGREEN ordered 24x ships (11x 3K-TEU, 11x 2300-TEU, 2x 1800-TEU), with unit prices ranging US$28-51M (total contract value US$958M-1,1B).

Note: Besides its owned vessels, EVERGREEN also operates ships under a charter (between 8800-13800 TEUs). In the above list, all the 10 (13800 TEU) boxships are operated under 5-year charter from Enesel SA (Greek shipowner).

EVERGREEN vessel details

In 2021-2022, to EVERGREEN will be delivered 10x ULCVs (24K-TEU) - 6x by Samsung, 2x by Jiangnan, 2x by Hudong-Zhonghua. These ships have length 400m, width 62m, GT 235580t, capacity 23992 TEUs, powerplant (WinGD 11X92-B/dual-fuel engines/power output 77,4 MW).

In October 2019, Evergreen Marine signed with SHI-Samsung orders for 6x 23K-TEU ships (total cost KRW 1 trillion / US$920M). These boxships have length 400m, beam 62m, height 33m, capacity 23764 TEUs.

  • Builder: Imabari Shipbuilding (Japan)
  • Capacity: 20388 TEUs
  • Speed: 23 kn / 26 mph / 43 kph
  • Width: 59 m / 193 ft
  • Length: 400 m / 1312 ft
  • Volume/GT Tonnage: 217,617t
  • DWT Tonnage: 198,000t

In 2018-2019, to EVERGREEN were delivered 11x 22K-TEU vessels.

The 2016-launched 14K vessels have the following details:

  • EVERGREEN's 14K-TEU vessels are with loading capacity 14424 (exact) and are DNV GL classed.
  • Builder: Hyundai Heavy Industries (Mokpo and Samho yards, South Korea)
  • Capacity: 15000 TEU / 1000 refrigerated
  • Speed: 24 Kn / 28 mph / 44 kph
  • Width: 51 m / 167 ft
  • Length: 369 m / 1211 ft
  • Volume/GT Tonnage: 148,386t
  • DWT Tonnage: 155,000t

THALASSA-named ship details

In July 2012, the shipbuilder Hyundai (HHI) won the Enesel's US$1,2 billion shipbuilding order (US$116,5 million per vessel). All the 10 new Thalassa-named ships were delivered and launched in 2013-2014. Upon delivery, they were chartered by EVERGREEN under an initial 5-year charter deal with the shipowner Enesel SA.

  • Builder: Hyundai Heavy Industries (South Korea)
  • Capacity: 13806 TEU/ 800 Reefers
  • Crew: 35
  • Engines: MAN 11S90ME-C9.2-T II
  • Power output: 63,91 MW
  • Speed: 23 kn / 27 mph / 43 kph
  • Draft: 16 m / 52 ft
  • Width: 51 m / 167 ft
  • Length: 368 m / 1207 ft
  • NT/Net Tonnage: 67,300t
  • Volume/GT Tonnage: 146,700t
  • DWT Tonnage: 152,210t

"Thalassa" means "sea / ocean" in Greek.

All these ships service the Asia-Northern Europe trade route named "North Europe Service - 5" (abbrev NE5) via Suez Canal.

List of largest HAPAG LLOYD ships

HAPAG LLOYD shipping (abbrev "Hamburg-Amerikanische Paketfahrt-Aktien-Gesellschaft" plus NDL / "Norddeutscher Lloyd", 1970-founded) is a German company that also owns Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. The merger was between two of the world's oldest cargo shipping companies - Hapag (1847) and NDL (1856). HAPAG LLOYD is world's FIFTH largest container line, with a fleet of 180+ vessels and TEU capacity ~1 million. Following the 2017 merger with UASC, HL operates all UASC ships.

In December 2014, Hapag-Lloyd merged with CSAV (Compania Sud Americana de Vapores, Chilean company). Hapag-Lloyd's current major owners are CSAV (31%), Hamburg-based investment holding (21%), Klaus Michael Kuehne (20%).

(new ships): In April 2015, HAPAG LLOYD ordered a series of 5 new container carriers at total cost US$370 million. Their scheduled delivery is between Oct 2016 and May 2017. Each boxship has capacity 10500 TEUs plus 2100 reefers (refrigerated) plugs. They all will be deployed on South American shipping routes.

On April 21, 2016, Hapag-Lloyd confirmed talks for a merge with UASC (United Arab Shipping Compan). The new joint venture will be headquartered in Hamburg, with UASC holding ~1/3 of all shares.

HAPAG LLOYD and UASC officially merged on May 24, 2017. Following the merger, UASC became the new company's largest shareholder, while HAPAG LLOYD became combined fleet's sole operator. In 2017, UASC-HAPAG LLOYD fleet consisted of 219 vessels, ranking it world's 5th largest.

In March 2021, Hapag-Lloyd acquired NileDutch (West Africa-based Dutch containership company).

In 2016, HAPAG-LLOYD owned 75 and chartered 109 vessels.

As of 2022, HAPAG-LLOYD owns/charters 256 vessels (1,75M TEUs, or 7,3% of the market).

The largest HAPAG LLOYD ships are:

  • (2023-2024/23664 TEU) Busan Express, Berlin Express, Manila Express, Hanoi Express
  • (2014-2015/14000 TEU) Wide Alpha, Wide Bravo, Wide Charlie, Wide India
  • (2012-2013-2014/13169 TEU) Ulsan Express, Ludwigshafen Express, Leverkusen Express, Hong Kong Express, Shanghai Express, Essen Express, Antwerpen Express, Hamburg Express, Basle Express, New York Express

HAPAG LLOYD vessel details (14000 TEU)

Among these boxships' innovations is the new-technology ballast water treatment equipment (manufactured by Mahle Industriefilter, Hamburg). Without using chemicals, the new system cleans the ship's ballast water before it enters/leaves its ballast water tanks. The system uses filtration and UV light treatment technology, preventing live organisms in the tanks from escaping into foreign ecosystems. These vessels are classed "1A1 Container carrier BIS BWM". From the same class are the MAERSK ships DANUBE, EUPHRATES, INDUS, LOME, TEMA, TIGRIS.

  • Hyundai Heavy Industries (South Korea)
  • Capacity: 13169 TEU / 800 refrigerated
  • Crew: 24
  • Engines: MAN 11K98ME7
  • Power output: 58,27 MW
  • Speed: 24 kn / 28 mph / 44 kph
  • Draft: 15,5 m / 49 ft
  • Width: 48 m / 157 ft
  • Length: 366 m / 1201 ft
  • NT/Net Tonnage: 29,415t
  • Volume/GT Tonnage: 51,872t
  • DWT Tonnage: 65,347t

HAPAG LLOYD vessel details (23500 TEU)

In December 2020, HL contracted Daewoo Shipbuilding for 6x 23,5K-TEU ships (US$1 billion order, deliveries in April-December 2023).

In June 2021 (contract value US$US$852 million), HL ordered six more units of the same series (to 12x total). ULCVs are with dual-fuel engines (running on both LNG and MDO).

These vessels will serve THE Alliance's Europe-Far East routes.

HAPAG LLOYD vessel details (13200 TEU)

  • Hyundai Heavy Industries (South Korea)
  • Capacity: 13169 TEU / 800 refrigerated
  • Crew: 24
  • Engines: MAN 11K98ME7
  • Power output: 58,27 MW
  • Speed: 24 kn / 28 mph / 44 kph
  • Draft: 15,5 m / 49 ft
  • Width: 48 m / 157 ft
  • Length: 366 m / 1201 ft
  • NT/Net Tonnage: 60,481t
  • Volume/GT Tonnage: 142,295t
  • DWT Tonnage: 127,106t

In 2019-2020, 10x Hamburg-Class boxships (13K-TEU) were scheduled for EGCS retrofits in response to IMO2020's low-sulphur fuel regulation. All 10x EGCS (Hybrid Ready Exhaust Gas Cleaning Systems) will be installed at Qingdao Beihai Shipyard (China).

List of largest UASC ships

UASC shipping (abbrev "United Arab Shipping Company", 1976-founded) is a Dubai-based company (aka "UASC Kuwait") It is joint venture owned by 6 state-shareholders (UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq). UASC has a fleet of 50+ vessels (owned and chartered) and operations in 75+ countries (200+ seaports).

UASC's new building project was initiated in August 2013, following an investment of US$2 billion. It included the construction of all 17 mega container ships. Among the new ships are eleven 15000 TEU ships and six 18800 TEU ships, all with planned delivery by September 2016. The 15000 TEU ships are all fitted with 1000 reefers and designed for quick LNG retrofit at a later stage.

UASC Sajir was delivered in November 2014 as the world's first-ever LNG-ready ultra-large container ship. UASC's A13 class carriers (13500 TEU) were ordered in 2008 at a total price US$1,5 billion.

In 2016, UASC owned 30 and chartered 22 vessels.

UASC and HAPAG-LLOYD officially merged on May 24, 2017. Following the merger, UASC became the new company's largest shareholder, while HAPAG-LLOYD became combined fleet's sole operator.

In 2017, HAPAG LLOYD-UASC had 219 vessels, ranking it the world's 5th largest.

The largest UASC ships are:

  • Al Dahna, Tihama (2016 / 18800 TEU)
  • Al Muraykh, Al Nefud, Al Zubara, Barzan (2015 / 18800 TEU)
  • Afif, Al Jmeliyah (2017 / 15000 TEU)
  • Al Mashrab, Al Dhail, Al Jasrah, Umm Qarn (2016 / 15000 TEU)
  • Al Murabba, Al Nasriyah, Salahuddin, Linah (2015 / 15000 TEU)
  • Sajir (2014 / 15000 TEU)

UASC vessel details (18800 TEU - largest)

UASC's 19000 TEU series (A19 class) is among industry's most eco-efficient container carriers. These are some of the world's first ultra-large (New-Panamax) LNG-ready container ships. It is amazing that the construction process for each UASC A18 vessel (18,800 TEU) takes just 6 months. These are DNV GL classed vessels of a new class ultra-large cargo carriers - largest ever in the UASC fleet. This class features optimized hull and superstructure design and latest propulsion efficiency marine technologies. The ship's EEDI Index value is close to 50% below the limit set by IMO for 2025. The vessel has CO2 output per TEU ~60% below UASC's all 9x 13,500 TEU ships delivered in 2012.

Technologies deployed on 18,800 TEU vessels include shore-to-ship power supply (zero emissions at berth / while docked), energy-efficient integrated system (optimizing machinery operations), propulsion systems and navigation decision-making technologies. The ship can be loaded with standard containers 10 tiers (decks) deep below, and up to 11 high decks. Deck containers rows are 23.

  • Builder: Hyundai Heavy Industries (Mokpo, South Korea)
  • Capacity: 18800 TEU / 1000 refrigerated
  • Crew: 22
  • Engines: Hyundai 10590ME-C10.2
  • Power output: 16 MW
  • Speed: 23 kn / 27 mph / 43 kph
  • Draft: 16 m / 52 ft
  • Width: 59 m / 190 ft
  • Length: 400 m / 1312 ft
  • Volume/GT Tonnage: 195,636t
  • DWT Tonnage: 199,744t

UASC vessel details (15000 TEU)

  • UASC's 15000 TEU vessels (A15 class) are with loading capacity 14993 (exact) and are DNV GL classed. Their CO2 output per TEU is 22% less than UASC's 13500 TEU ships.
  • Builder: Hyundai Heavy Industries (Mokpo and Samho yards, South Korea)
  • Capacity: 15000 TEU / 1000 refrigerated
  • Speed: 23 Kn / 27 mph / 43 kph
  • Draft: 15 m / 49 ft
  • Width: 51 m / 167 ft
  • Length: 368 m / 1207 ft
  • Volume/GT Tonnage: 153,148t
  • DWT Tonnage: 150,000t

UASC vessel details (13500 TEU)

These are LLOYD'S 100A1-class (A13-class) vessels. They feature Waste Heat Recovery Systems, converting exhaust gases to electric power and reducing carbon emissions. Hulls are coated with silicone paint specially designed to reduce water resistance and cut fuel consumption.

  • Builder: Samsung Heavy Industries (South Korea)
  • Capacity: 13500 TEU / 1000 refrigerated
  • Engines: MAN 12K98ME-7
  • Power output: 71,76 MW
  • Speed: 26 Kn / 30 mph / 48 kph
  • Draft: 15,5 m / 49 ft
  • Width: 48 m / 157 ft
  • Length: 366 m / 1201 ft
  • Volume/GT Tonnage: 141,077t
  • DWT Tonnage: 145,327t

List of largest COSCO ships

COSCO shipping (abbrev "China Ocean Shipping Company", 1961-founded) is a Beijing-based company (aka "COSCO Group" or "COSCO China"). COSCO is an SOE (state-owned enterprise) fully owned and operated by the Chinese government. COSCO Group owns 7 stock-listed companies and 300+ subsidiaries. Company's business includes freight shipping, shipbuilding, and repairs, cargo terminal operations, containers manufacturing, trade, finances, real estates, information technologies. COSCO is China's biggest and world's SIXTH largest container shipping line, with 550+ vessels and TEU capacity 850,000+. COSCO Corporation includes 7x stock-listed companies plus 300+ subsidiaries based in China and abroad.

(new container ships): In September 2015, COSCO signed contracts with 4 different Chinese shipyards for building a series of 11x 19,000-TEU ships. The contracted Chinese shipbuilders are NACKS (Nantong Cosco - 3 vessels), DACKS (Dalian Cosco - 3 vessels), Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding (3 vessels) and Dalian Shipbuilding (2 vessels). The order's total cost is US$~1,5 billion.

In 2016, COSCO owned 86 and chartered 78 vessels.

As of 2022, COSCO owns/charters 498 vessels (2,942M TEUs, or 12,3% of the market).

The largest COSCO ships are:

  • *In 2018-2019, to COSCO Shipping were delivered 6 units (capacity 21,237 TEUs each) plus 5 units (20,119 TEUs each). The first delivery (Taurus) was in January. Builder is Jiangnan Shipbuilding Co Ltd.
  • Galaxy, Solar, Star, Planet (2019 / 21237 TEUs)
  • Universe, Nebula (2018 / 21237 TEUs)
  • Gemini, Taurus, Virgo, Libra, Sagittarius (2018 / 20119 TEUs)
  • Pisces, Aquarius (2019 / 19273 TEUs)
  • Aries, Leo, Capricorn, Scorpio (2018 / 19273 TEUs)
  • Denali, Alps, Andes (2018 / 14568 TEU)
  • Himalayas, Kilimanjaro (2017 / 14568 TEU)

COSCO vessel details (15000 TEU)

  • LOA length 366 m (1201 ft)
  • width 51 m (168 ft)
  • GT tonnage 154,369t
  • cargo capacity 14568 TEUs

COSCO vessel details (13400 TEU)

This is a series of all 8x identical boxships (building cost US$167 million each) delivered in 2013-2014 from the NACKS shipbuilding company ("Nantong Cosco KHI Ship Engineering"). NACKS is a Japan-China joint venture company between "Kawasaki Heavy Industries" and COSCO. These are neo-overpanamax vessels, being wider by 1 box for the new Panama locks. They are able to stow 20 container rows across all decks.

  • Builder: Cosco Nantong Shipyard (China)
  • Capacity: 13386 TEU
  • Engines: 12RT96-flex C-D
  • Power output: 72,36 MW
  • Speed: 24 Kn / 28 mph / 44 kph
  • Draft: 14 m / 46 ft
  • Width: 51 m / 167 ft
  • Length: 366 m / 1201 ft
  • NT/Net Tonnage: - 65,596t
  • Volume/GT Tonnage: 153,666t
  • DWT Tonnage: 156,596t

COSCO vessel details (13100 TEU)

This is a series of all 8x identical boxships delivered 2011-2012 from HHI Hyundai. These post-Panamax container carriers were ordered by SCL (Seaspan) - multinational marine corporation specializing in containership management and ownership. All vessels are operated by COSCON under 12-year fixed-rate time-charter via the subsidiary Cosco Container Lines Europe GmbH.

  • Shipowner: SCL (Seaspan Container Lines)
  • Builder: HHI Hyundai Heavy Industries (South Korea)
  • Capacity: 13114 TEU
  • Engines: MAN 12K98ME
  • Power output: 68,84 MW
  • Speed: 24 Kn / 28 mph / 44 kph
  • Draft: 14 m / 46 ft
  • Width: 48 m / 157 ft
  • Length: 366 m / 1201 ft
  • NT/Net Tonnage: 59,810t
  • Volume/GT Tonnage: 141,823t
  • DWT Tonnage: 140,542t

In February 2021, Seaspan ULC (fka Seaspan Marine Corporation/subsidiary of Atlas Corporation) ordered 2x 24K-TEU ULCV with planned deliveries in 2023-H1. Upon completion, both units will be 18-year-chartered to an undisclosed customer.

In 2020, Seaspan's fleet (127x, mainly 9-15K-TEU) had capacity ~1,073M TEUs, with ~US$4,1B contracted revenue and ~4 years average lease period. In December 2020 were ordered 5x 12,2K-TEU. Seaspan's new orders (2020-2021) increased fleet's capacity with 109,000 TEUs.

List of largest CSCL ships

CSCL shipping (abbrev "China Shipping Container Lines", 1997-founded) is a division of "China Shipping Group". Both companies are specialized in marine shipping, with fully-owned oil tankers, passenger ships (ferry and cruise) and boxships. China Shipping Group additionally manages terminals, with operations also in investments, engineering, human resources, maritime technologies. CSCL is currently ranked SEVENTH largest container shipping line in the world, with a fleet of 150+ vessels and TEU capacity 600,000+.

In early November 2015, CSCL announced its intention to bareboat charter (no crew or provisions included) up to 11 boxships each with capacity 21000 TEUs. Six of the vessels will be on a firm charter, keeping the option for 5 more units. Details on the shipowner and the potential shipbuilder (for the optional 5 boxships) were not revealed.

In early April 2016, the engine manufacturer Wartsila was awarded a contract to supply a total of 32 "Wartsila Auxpac 32" diesel engines (power generator sets) for 8 of the CSCL's new 13500 TEU container ships. The 8 ships are being built by Hudong-Zhonghua Shipbuilding Co Ltd (a wholly-owned subsidiary of CSSC). The order was placed with the company's Chinese (Shanghai-based) joint venture company CWEC. Wartsila engines delivery to the shipyard started in 2017-Q1.

Auxpac Genset is designed for large boxships with a required auxiliary power from 2500 to 4500 kWe (kilowatts electrical) per generator set. The engine features powerful output, compact design, great power-to-space ratio, outstanding performances.

The CWEC (CSSC Wartsila Engine Company Ltd) was established in July 2014. The company produces large, medium-speed (4-stroke) marine diesel engines and also dual-fuel engines. The engines are installed on large-sized boxships, LNG carriers, also on ferry and cruise ships. CWEC produces the Wartsila engine models 26, 32, 34DF, 46F and 46DF.

In 2016, CSCL owned 68 and chartered 70 vessels.

The largest CSCL ships are:

  1. Indian Ocean, Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean (2015 / 19000 TEU)
  2. Globe, Pacific Ocean (2014 / 19000 TEU)
  3. Neptune, Uranus (2012 / 14074 TEU)
  4. Jupiter, Mars, Mercury, Saturn, Venus (2011 / 14074 TEU)
  5. Star (2010 / 14074 TEU)

CSCL vessel details (19000 TEU - largest)

Fun fact is that stacked end to end, the containers each of these boxships carries would be 5 times higher than Mount Everest (height 8848 m / 29029 ft). This class was superseded by MSC Oscar - with a capacity just 124 containers more. CSCL's all 5x 19K-TEU ships were ordered in May 2013 for US$700 million.

The diesel engine (height 17 m / 56 ft) was specifically designed to reduce noise and CO2 emissions, in the same time maximizing the vessel's fuel efficiency and permitting service speed of 20,5 knots (38 kph). Max speed exceeds 22 knots (41 kph) during sea trials.

  • Builder: Hyundai Heavy Industries (South Korea)
  • Capacity: 18982 TEU / 2000 refrigerated
  • Crew: 31
  • Engines: MAN 12S90ME-C
  • Power output: 69,72 MW
  • Speed: 22 Kn / 25 mph / 41 kph
  • Draft: 16 m / 53 ft
  • Width: 59 m / 194 ft
  • Length: 400 m / 1312 ft
  • NT/Net Tonnage: 86,434t
  • Volume/GT Tonnage: 187,541t
  • DWT Tonnage: 184,605t

CSCL vessel details (14000 TEU)

CSCL's 14K-TEU ships are "Clean Shipping Index" verified. GL (Germanischer Lloyd) performed audits and confirmed that submitted data met all the index' requirements. Container shipping lines aspiring to procure contracts from Clean Shipping Network members must have at least 2 such vessels in their fleet. The index guarantees a max score on CO2 emissions, meaning emissions are much lower than those of reference cargo ships of the same TEU type. Fun fact is that if lined up, all containers would run 85 km / 53 mi. If put it stand on end, the ship will be 165 ft (50 m) higher than the Eiffel Tower.

  • Building cost: US$170 million each
  • Samsung Shipbuilding (South Korea)
  • Capacity: 14074 TEU / 1000 refrigerated
  • Crew: 27
  • Engines: MAN 12K98MC-C
  • Power output: 72,24 MW
  • Speed: 22 Kn / 25 mph / 41 kph
  • Draft: 15 m / 49 ft
  • Width: 51 m / 167 ft
  • Length: 366 m / 1201 ft
  • NT/Net Tonnage: 80,514t
  • Volume/GT Tonnage: 150,853t
  • DWT Tonnage: 155,480t

List of largest HANJIN ships

HANJIN Shipping Co Ltd (1977-founded) is South Korea's largest shipping company. It also specializes in maritime logistics, cargo terminal operations (owns dockyards in Asia, Europe, USA) and in 60+ countries. HANJIN Shipping is part of Hanjin Group - holding corporation that also owns KAL (Korean Air Lines), HANJIN is currently ranked EIGHTH largest container shipping line in the world, with a diverse fleet of cargo carriers, among which boxships (total TEU capacity 633,495), bulk carriers, LNG carriers, VLCC vessels (large tankers for crude oil and chemicals).

In 2016, HANJIN owned 38 and chartered 66 vessels.

The largest HANJIN ships are:

  • Sooho, Europe, Africa, America, Asia (2012 / 13102 TEU)
  • Blue Ocean, Harmony, Gold, Green Earth (2013 / 13102 TEU)
  • Germany, Greece, Italy ((2011 / 10100 TEU) - Danaos Corp charter.

HANJIN vessel detail (13100 TEU - largest)

  • Builder: Hyundai Heavy Industries (South Korea)
  • Capacity: 13102 TEU / 800 refrigerated
  • Engines: MAN 12K98ME
  • Power output: 68,84 MW
  • Speed: 24 Kn / 28 mph / 44 kph
  • Draft: 15 m / 49 ft
  • Width: 48 m / 157 ft
  • Length: 366 m / 1201 ft
  • NT/Net Tonnage: 60,615t
  • Volume/GT Tonnage: 141,754t
  • DWT Tonnage: 140,973t

HANJIN's 13000 TEU ships serve the Asia-Europe trade route NE6 (with Suez Canal transition).

The Northern Europe Service 6 route (westbound) starts from the port of Qingdao (Eastern China) and visits the cargo ports of South Korea (Kwangyang, Busan), China (Shanghai, Yantian), Singapore, Egypt (Suez Canal transit, Spain (Algeciras), Germany (Hamburg), Holland (Rotterdam), France (Le Havre, port to Paris).

The reverse NE6 route (eastbound) starts in the Mediterranean (from the port of Algeciras, Spain) and transits through the Suez Canal to Singapore and China (Yantian and Qingdao).

HANJIN's 10000 TEU-class (9954 TEUs) ships are all named after major countries they visit - Spain, Netherlands, China, United Kingdom, Korea. All smaller HANJIN vessels (under 8600 TEUs) in the company's commercial fleet are named after big cities which seaports they visit.

List of largest HAMBURG SUD ships

HAMBURG SUD (1871-founded as "Hamburg Sudamerikanische Dampfschifffahrts-Gesellschaft" / "Hamburg South America Line") is a Germany-based subsidiary of Oetker Group (family-owned food processing company established in 1891).

HAMBURG SUD is currently ranked TENTH largest shipping line in the world, with a fleet of 130+ vessels and TEU capacity 601,000+. HAMBURG SUD's annual revenue is ~EUR 5,5 billion. The company has ~5400 employees, and also owns Alianca (Brazil) and Ybarra Sud (Spain). Its containers are painted in red (with white lettering and a huge red-white flag in between both worlds). The reefers (refrigerated TEUs) are painted white (with blue lettering and red-white flag in between).

In March 2015, Hamburg Sud Group acquired Compania Chilena de Navegacion Interoceanica ((CCNI- Chilean shipping company). The Sud company reported a shipment volume growth of 21,5% (over 2014) to 4,101 million TEUs. Its current containership fleet capacity is 625000 TEUs.

In January 2019, HAMBURG-SUD Group sold to CNCo (China Navigation Company / Singapore-based, subsidiary of the Hong Kong-based Swire Group) its bulk shipping business, including RAO Shipping (bulk carriers, product tankers), Furness Withy Chartering (dry cargo, brokerage) and Aliabulk (logistics). RAO Tankers was excluded from the sale.

In 2019, HAMBURG-SUD owned 45 and chartered 88 vessels.

The largest HAMBURG-SUD ships are:

  • Cap San Juan, Cap San Lazaro, Cap San Vincent (2015 / 10600 TEU)
  • Cap San Antonio, Cap San Artemissio, Cap San Maleas, Cap San Raphael (2014 / 9814 TEU)
  • Cap San Augustin, Cap San Lorenzo, Cap San Marco, Cap San Nicolas (2013 / 9814 TEU)

HAMBURG SUD vessel details (10600 TEU - largest)

  • Daewoo Shipbuilding (South Korea)
  • Capacity: 10600 TEU / 1000 refrigerated
  • Engines: MAN 7S90ME-C10
  • Power output: 40,67 MW
  • Speed: 21 Kn / 24 mph / 39 kph
  • Draft: 14 m / 46 ft
  • Width: 49 m / 161 ft
  • Length: 331 m / 1086 ft
  • Volume/GT Tonnage: 117,000t
  • DWT Tonnage: 121,900t

List of largest OOCL ships

OOCL shipping company (abbrev "Orient Overseas Container Line", 1969-founded) is a Hong Kong-based subsidiary company, owned by Orient Overseas Ltd (OOIL - an international investment holding / stock-listed company). The OOCL company is currently ranked ELEVENTH largest shipping line in the world, with a fleet of 270+ vessels and total capacity 554,000+ TEUs. OOCL ships are operated via 280+ offices in 55 countries. Some of the line's subsidiary companies own/operate dedicated OOCL container ship terminals in Asia and North America.

In 2016, OOCL owned 48 and chartered 54 vessels.

The largest OOCL ships are:

  • (2024 / 24188 TEU) Valencia, Abu Dhabi
  • (2023 / 24188 TEU) Spain, Turkiye, Piraeus, Felixstowe, Zeebrugge, Gdynia
  • (2018 / 21413 TEU / G Class) Indonesia
  • (2017 / 21413 TEU / G Class) Hong Kong, Germany, Japan, United Kingdom, Scandinavia

In March 2020, OOCL signed contracts with two Chinese shipbuilders (COSCO KHI Ship Engineering companies) - NACKS (Nantong) and DACKS (Dalian). The US$934 million deal ($156M per unit) was for 6x new ULCVs (24K TEUs/3xNantong + 3xDalian) delivered in 2023. Each has LOA 400m, beam 61m, GT 235341t.

In Nov 2022, OOCL ordered 7x ULCVs (24K-TEU, deliveries starting in 2026-Q3) with Nantong COSCO KHI Ship Engineering (total investment US$1,679B/ US$240M per unit).

OOCL vessel details (21400 TEU)

OOCL Hong Kong was first in a series of all 6 vessels of this series.

  • Builder: Samsung Shipbuilding (Geoje Island, South Bangkok)
  • Building cost: US$158,6 million each
  • Draft: 16 m / 52 ft
  • Width: 59 m / 193 ft
  • Length: 400 m / 1312 ft
  • Volume/GT Tonnage: 210890t
  • DWT Tonnage: 191,317t

OOCL vessel details (13000 TEU)

Each of the 13208 TEU OOCL vessels features an optimized hull design for fuel efficiency. By adopting state-of-the-art marine engine technologies, such features help lower energy consumption and achieve best EEDI value (Energy Efficiency Design Index) to exceed internationally recognized IMO standards.

Among the design features is the deckhouse (arranged far forward), allowing higher front deck cargo loading.

The ship's 12-cylinder MAN marine diesel engine is able to produce 69,72 MW max output (electronically limited to 54,2 MW).

These OOCL vessels are a series of ten M-class ULCS (ultra-large container ships) produced between 2012 and 2014. All the 10 were commissioned by the OOCL's parent company OOIL (Orient Overseas International Ltd). Of those, 6 are OOCL operated, the remaining 4 are chartered to NYK Line. All operate on the East Asia-Europe trade route (through Suez Canal).

  • Builder: Samsung Shipbuilding (Geoje Island, South Bangkok)
  • Capacity: 13208 TEU / 800 refrigerated
  • Engines: MAN 12S90ME-C9.2
  • Power output: 54,2 MW
  • Speed: 18 Kn / 21 mph / 33 kph
  • Draft: 15,5 m / 49 ft
  • Width: 48 m / 157 ft
  • Length: 366 m / 1201 ft
  • NT/Net Tonnage: 69,987t
  • Volume/GT Tonnage: 141,000t
  • DWT Tonnage: 144,040t

Note: The 21100 TEU ship order (total cost US$950 mill) is to the South Korean shipbuilder SHI (Samsung). The contract (signed April 2015) renewed SHI company's hold on its record for the world's largest container ships order. The previous SHI record was set in March 2015 with four 20150 TEU ships ordered by MOL.

List of largest APL ships

APL shipping (abbrev "American President Lines", 1848-founded) is a Singapore-based company and CMA-CGM subsidiary (since 2016). Company's current name is since 1938 (renamed from "Dollar Steamship Co", aka "Dollar Line"). Aka "APL Singapore", the company has its own network of inland facilities (USA) and fully-owned cargo terminals (Asia and US West Coast). APL is currently ranked TWELFTH largest shipping line in the world, with fleet of 150+ vessels, 4300+ employees, total capacity 600,000 TEUs, US$8+ billion in revenue. APL ships operate on 80+ trade lanes weekly, calling at seaports in 95+ countries. Still, most APL operations are in the Pacific Ocean (between Asia and USA).

Since December 2020, the company (APL Co Pte Ltd) is renamed to "CMA CGM Asia Shipping Pte Ltd".

In 2016, APL owned 50 and chartered 40 vessels.

The largest APL ships are Temasek, Raffles, Changi, Vanda (2013 / 13900 TEU) and Merlion, Sentosa (2014 / 13900 TEU).

APL vessel details (14000 TEU - largest)

APL Temasek was the first in a series of all ten 14K-TEU units part of APL's US$4 billion fleet renovation program. Five of these ships are operated by APL, the other five are chartered to MOL. These boxships are in APL-MOL joint series. From the same class are the MOL vessels Quality, Quartz, Quasar, Quest, Quintet. They are the first jumbo twin-isle vessels designed with fully enclosed Bridge. Deckhouses are constructed with flush outside bulkheads to keep the crew safe from pirate attacks.

The 14K-TEU APL-MOL ships feature several innovations improving their operational efficiency. The S-type long-stroke engine is equipped with electronic fuel injection, optimized to operate efficiently at various loads. The broader hull form and specially designed bulbous bow improve efficiency at various speeds. With this new cargo container ship design, the APL shipping line was able to improve fuel efficiency by about 20%-30% per TEU for cruising speeds ranging between 15-18 knots, when compared to previous cargo ship designs. The new APL vessels' fuel efficiency (measured by EEDI /"Energy Efficiency Design Index") is certified to be 33% better than IMO ("International Maritime Organization") guidelines. By less fuel consumption, this new series of cargo ships also emits fewer carbon emissions.

  • Builder: Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries (South Korea)
  • Engines: MAN 11S90ME-C9.2
  • Power output: 72,24 MW
  • Speed: 18 Kn / 21 mph / 33 kph
  • Draft: 14 m / 46 ft
  • Length: 369 m / 1211 ft
  • Width: 51 m / 167 ft
  • NT/Net Tonnage: 63,840t
  • Volume/GT Tonnage: 151,015t
  • DWT Tonnage: 150,165t

List of largest YANG MING ships

YANG MING shipping (officially "Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation", 1972-founded) is a Keelung-based (Taiwan) company with a fleet of boxships and bulkers. Besides marine shipping, via fully-owned subsidiaries, YANG-MING's business also includes logistics and container terminals in Taiwan, Europe (Belgium, Holland) and the USA, with operations in 70+ countries. On April 2, 2018, YANG-MING opened its Mediterranean regional center in Piraeus (Greece).

In September 2015, YANG-MING announced order for five ULC (ultra-large) boxships (max loading capacity 14000 TEUs each) placed to Imabari Shipbuilding (Japan). All newbuilds (launched in 2018-2019) were chartered to Shoei Kisen Kaisha (Japan). The order's total cost was US$625M (US$125M per ship).

In July 2015, YANG-MING ordered to Imabari 5 ships (14K-TEU), delivered in 2016 and chartered by CSBC Corp (Taiwan).

In 2016, YANG MING owned 42 and chartered 59 vessels.

As of 2022, YANG MING owns/charters 89 vessels (0,629M TEUs, or 2,6% of the market).

The largest YANG MING ships are:

  1. YM Wellbeing, YM Wonderland, YM Wisdom, YM Warranty, YM Wellspring (2019) - chartered from Shoei Kisen Kaisha
  2. YM Welcome, YM Width, YM Window, YM Wreath (2016)
  3. YM Warmth, YM Wellhead, YM Wellness, YM Wholesome, YM Wind, YM Winner, YM Wish, YM Witness, YM Wondrous, YM World, YM Worth (2015)*

All these ships have capacity 14,220 TEUs (plus 1000 reefers), LOA length 366m, width 51m, max draft 15,5m, speed 23 Kn. All vessels marked with * (star) are long-term chartered to and operated by the ship charterer Seaspan Corporation. All these boxships commenced a 10-year, fixed-rate charter (with optional 2 more years).

In the period 2015-2019, YANG-MING received 20 newbuilds (14K-TEU). In addition to those, the company has 10x 2,8K-TEU (owned) and 14x 11K-TEU (chartered) delivered in 2020-2022.

YANG MING vessel details (14000 TEU - largest)

These are all ULCS ("ultra-large container ship") by the new "Saver Design". It features a double hull, far-forward located deckhouse (higher front deck loading), new bunker tanks arrangement (meeting the MARPOL regulations), far-aft located engine, propulsion (bow and stern thrusters).

  • Builder: HHI Hyundai Heavy Industries (Ulsan, South Korea)
  • Capacity: 14066 TEU / 1000 refrigerated
  • Speed: 23 Kn / 27 mph / 43 kph
  • Draft: 16 m / 52 ft
  • Width: 51 m / 167 ft
  • Length: 368 m / 1207 ft
  • NT/Net Tonnage: 66,967t
  • Volume/GT Tonnage: 144,651t
  • DWT Tonnage: 188,901t

List of largest ONE ships (MOL, NYK, K-LINE)

ONE Alliance (Ocean Network Express) has merged 3 Japanese companies (MOL, NYK, K-Line).

ONE Shipping officially started operations on April 1, 2018. The company (established on July 7, 2017) has combined fleet capacity 1,44 million TEUs and serves 85 loops linking 200+ seaports.

In 2017, ONE EA ordered a series of seven 14K boxships by Imabari Shipbuilding. They have LOA 366m, width 51m, draft 30m, DWT 147,000t.

In 2023-24 were delivered ONE's ships Innovation, Infinity, Integrity, Inspiration, Ingenuity, Intelligence (LOA 400m, width 61m, GT 235,310, TEUs 24136).

MOL largest boxships

MOL shipping company (abbrev "Mitsui OSK Lines", 1884-founded) is a Japanese transportation company with headquarters in Tokyo. MOL is part of Mitsui (a group of interlocking business companies in Japan). MOL is currently ranked NINTH largest container shipping line in the world, with a diverse fleet of vessels, among which container carriers (total TEU capacity 614,000), general cargo ships (bulk carriers, LNG carriers, tankers), ro-ro ships, MOL Ferries, even cruise vessels (Nippon Maru, Seabourn Odyssey).

The 20150 TEU vessels order is to the South Korean shipbuilder SHI (Samsung). The contract (signed March 2015) set the SHI's record for the world's largest container ships order. SHI renewed this record just a month later, signing in April 2015 the contract with OOCL for building six 21100 TEU ships.

APL increased its Japan cargo shipping coverage (starting in 2011) via a partnership with MOL (Mitsui OSK Lines). APL thus enhanced its transportation services on Asia's JTP route as a slot operator. The new JTP service route (abbrev "Japan-Thailand-Philippine") also increased MOL's coverage of Japan cargo ports, in particular, Tokyo, Yokohama, Shimizu, Nagoya.

In 2016, MOL owned 29 and chartered 84 vessels.

The largest MOL ships are:

  1. tbn3, tbn4 (2019 / 20180 TEU)
  2. Treasure, tbn2 (2018 / 20180 TEU)
  3. Triumph, Trust, Tribute, Tradition, Truth (2017 / 20180 TEU)

In 2017, MOL and SHI-Samsung developed a Bow Wind-Shield design for ULCVs. The shield (that reduces wind resistance on the hull and results in ~4$ energy savings) was installed on all MOL's exiting midsized boxships.

MOL vessel detail (20000 TEU - world's largest boxship)

World's ever largest container ship MOL Triumph was delivered on March 27, 2017. It was the first in a 6-ship series (4x MOL-operated, 2x long-term chartered to SKK) scheduled for delivery in 2017-2019.

  • Builder: Imabari Shipbuilding Co Ltd (Saijo, Japan, shipyards Imabari and Marugame)
  • Building cost: US$155 million (each)
  • Capacity: 20182 TEU
  • Width: 58,8 m / 193 ft
  • Length: 400 m / 1312 ft
  • Volume/GT Tonnage: 199,000t

These vessels feature optimized hull shape, low-friction hull paint, new-design (high-efficiency) engine plants and propellers (optimized propeller boss cap fins) resulting in up to 30% reduction in CO2 emissions when compared to MOL's 14K-TEU ships.

MOL vessel detail (14000 TEU)

This 10-vessel series was ordered by NOL Group ("Neptune Orient Lines"). From the same class are also the APL vessels Merlion, Raffles, Sentosa, Temasek, Vanda. MOL's 14K-TEU series features several maritime technology innovations improving greatly their operational efficiency.

The S-type long-stroke marine diesel engine has an electronic fuel injection system, optimized for best fuel efficiency at various cargo volumes. The broader mono-hull design and the bulbous bow also lower fuel consumption at higher speeds. With this new design, MOL was able to lower fuel costs per TEU by 20%-30% for cruising speeds 15-18 knots (17-21 mph / 28-33 kph). New vessel's fuel efficiency (EEDI certified index) is 1/3 better than the IMO established standard.

  • Builder: Hyundai Samho Heavy Industries (South Korea)
  • Capacity: 13900 TEU
  • Engines: MAN 11S90ME-C9.2
  • Power output: 72,24 MW
  • Speed: 18 Kn / 21 mph / 33 kph
  • Draft: 13 m / 43 ft
  • Width: 51 m / 167 ft
  • Length: 369 m / 1211 ft
  • NT/Net Tonnage: 63,838t
  • Volume/GT Tonnage: 151,015t
  • DWT Tonnage: 150,936t

NYK-LINE largest boxships

NYK shipping company (abbrev "Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha", translated as "Japan Mail Shipping Line", 1882-founded) is a Japanese company (commonly known as "NYK Line"), a core company of Mitsubishi Group (autonomous Japanese multinational companies). NYK Line started its business as mainly passenger carrier, but expanded as cargo carrier since the late-1960s, starting with the first Japanese container ship (Hakone Maru) in 1968.

In 1989, NYK-LINE entered the cruise shipping business via Crystal Cruises (subsidiary company). In 2015, Crystal was sold to Genting Hong Kong Corporation. In 1990, NYK-Line started passenger shipping services (NYK Cruises) with MS Asuka. Operating in Japan only, in 2006 Asuka was replaced by MS Asuka 2. NYK shipping is in world's top 20 largest lines, with a fleet of 100+ boxships.

In November 2015, NYK shipping placed an order for a total of 5500 reefers (40-ft refrigerated containers), among which 700 CA-reefer units ("Controlled Atmosphere"). These new-generation containers are more energy-efficient and reliable in comparison to the older equipment. The CA-reefer technology guarantees the freshness of easily perishable goods (like fruits, vegetables, fresh meat and seafood, flowers, etc) during the long transoceanic crossings. The CA-reefer technology allows controlling not only the unit's temperature but also the levels of O2 and CO2 inside.

In 2016, NYK owned 48 and chartered 53 vessels.

NYK-Line also owns trains, planes, trucks, a large fleet of various cargo ships (LNG-, bulk-, woodchip, reefer- and car carriers, tankers, cruise ships). NYK-Line largest ships are chartered from OOIL (Orient Overseas International Ltd) and named:

  • (2016, 14026 TEU) - NYK Blue Jay, NYK Ibis, NYK Eagle, NYK Crane)
  • (2017, 14026 TEU) - NYK Hawk, NYK Falcon, NYK Swan, NYK Owl)
  • (2018, 14026 TEU) - NYK Wren, NYK Stork
  • (2013 / 13208 TEU) Helios, Hercules, Hermes, Hyperion. From the same series (M-class) are also the OOCL ships Bangkok, Berlin, Brussels, Chongqing, Korea, Singapore.

NIK-LINE vessel details

The shipowner OOIL ordered 10x 13K boxships (US$136 million each). All are outfitted with fixed and loose lashing system by German Lashing Gmbh (producer of RoRo lashing and container securing equipment).

  • Builder: Samsung Shipbuilding (Geoje Island, South Bangkok)
  • Capacity: 13208 TEU / 800 refrigerated
  • Engines: MAN 12S90ME-C9.2
  • Power output: 54,2 MW
  • Speed: 18 kn / 21 mph / 33 kph
  • Draft: 15,5 m / 49 ft
  • Width: 48 m / 157 ft
  • Length: 366 m / 1201 ft
  • NT/Net Tonnage: 69,987t
  • Volume/GT Tonnage: 141,003t
  • DWT Tonnage: 144,042t

The rest of NYK fleet's boxships range from 1613 to 8600 TEUs.

K-LINE largest boxships

K-LINE shipping (official name "Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha", 1919-founded) is a Japanese company specializing in transportation and cargo-logistics. It operates a huge fleet of both owned and chartered vessels, among which large-capacity container carriers, dry bulk carriers, LNG carriers, tankers, ROROs. K-LINE also manages container terminals.

Major K-LINE subsidiaries are "K-Line Logistics" and "K-Line Travel". Currently, this is the world's 16th largest shipping company with total TEU capacity 394,000+ (2% market share). Company's biggest shipping divisions are named America, Singapore, Offshore.

In 2016, KLINE owned 12 and chartered 57 vessels.

The largest K-LINE ships are Mackinac Bridge, Manchester Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, Munchen Bridge (all 13870 TEU, 2015-built).

K-LINE vessel details

This is a 10-unit series of 14K boxships ordered by K-LINE. Five were ordered in March 2013 (delivered 2015) and five in September 2014 (delivered 2018). These are also the biggest container carriers built in Japan to date. These units were part of a newbuilding program of two companies - K-LINE (Japan) and YANG-MING (Taiwan). Orders were placed at two different shipbuilders - Hyundai (South Korea) and Imabari (Japan).

  • Builder: Imabari Shipbuilding Mihara (Japan)
  • Capacity: 13870 TEU / 1000 refrigerated
  • Crew: 22
  • Speed: 22 Kn / 25 mph / 41 kph
  • Draft: 15 m / 49 ft
  • Width: 51 m / 167 ft
  • Length: 366 m / 1201 ft
  • Volume/GT Tonnage: 155,500t
  • DWT Tonnage: 145,500t

List of largest HMM-HYUNDAI ships

HYUNDAI shipping (officially "Hyundai Merchant Marine" / abbrev HMM, 1976-founded) is a South Korean cargo-logistics and containership company, subsidiary of HYUNDAI Group. HYUNDAI Marine operates a diverse fleet of cargo vessels, among which bulk carriers, trampers (tramp freighter vessel - without fixed schedule), boxships, LNG tankers.

HYUNDAI shipping is in the world's top 20 largest, with a fleet of 170+ vessels. The biggest of them are the 2014-built company-owned and the 2012-built long-term chartered (from Danaos Corporation). Danaos Corp (one of the largest shipowners on the global container ship chartering market) has a fleet of 60+ vessels raging in TEUs from 2200 up to 13100. The largest HYUNDAI ships are:

  • By September 2020, to HMM were delivered 12x ULCVs (23,964-TEU) - 5x by SHI-Samsung and 7x by DSME-Daewoo (HMM Algeciras, HMM Oslo, HMM Copenhagen, HMM Rotterdam, HMM Dublin, HMM Gdansk, HMM Helsinki, HMM Southampton, HMM Stockholm, HMM Le Havre, HMM Hamburg, HMM St Petersburg)
  • **By 2021-Q2, to HMM will be delivered 8x vessels (16K-TEU) by HHI-Hyundai.
  • ship order for 20x ULCVs (22,000 TEU), plus 8x large (14,000 TEU) - each is with either scrubbers or LNG bunkering.
  • ship order for 20x ULCVs (9x 20,000 TEU plus 11x 11,000 TEU) - building started in 2018, deliveries by 2020
  • Ambition (2012 / 13100 TEU) - Danaos charter
  • Drive, Hope, Pride, Victory (2014 / 13100 TEU)
  • Smart, Speed, Tenacity, Together (2012 / 13100 TEU) - Danaos

Currently the world's largest boxships (1st was HMM Algeciras) are powered by MAN G95ME-C10.5 marine engines (upgraded version of model 11G95ME). The engine was introduced in October 2015. The MAN B&W-branded machinery is actually built in South Korea (by Doosan Infracore Engine / HSD Engine Co Ltd) and with output 75,57 MW (103,000 HP). The new engine reduces CO2 emissions by 51% in comparison to previous generations boxships.

In October 2018, Hyundai Merchant signed 3 separate shipbuilding deals for 20x boxships (deliveries by June 2021) with total worth US$2,84 billion. Separate contracts were signed with Hyundai Heavy Industries (8x15,000 TEU), Samsung Heavy Industries (5x23,000 TEU) and DSME-Daewoo Shipbuilding (7x23,000 TEU).

In May 2016, HMM's creditors made Hyundai Merchant Marine a KDB subsidiary (Korea Development Bank). HMM's bonds owned by creditors valued US$1,06 billion (of which US$529,8 million KDB-owned). Through capital reduction and debt-for-equity swapping, KDB acquired 30%, while various other creditors have 50% of all shares.

In 2016, HMM-HYUNDAI owned 20 and chartered 36 vessels, with 6 ship orders (60000 TEUs, or 16,4% of the existing fleet's capacity). Following the Nov 2017 ship order for 20x ULCC, Hyundai Merchant Marine was ranked the world's 6th largest company (future fleet capacity 800,000 TEUs). With the 3 new ship orders, Hyundai's fleet increased from 423,000 to 800,000 TEU. Hyundai also launched a new Asia-Europe route served by 6 ULCC.

HYUNDAI vessel details

HMM Algeciras (inaugurated on Apr 23, 2020) is currently the world's largest boxships with TEU capacity 23964, LOA length 400 m, width 61 m, draft 33,2 m. This is the 1st of all 12x ULCVs produced by SHI-Samsung (5 units) DSME-Daewoo (7 units) all delivered in 2020.

HYUNDAI Together was the 1st of all 5x 13100 TEU ships ordered by HYUNDAI Shipping for operations under charter for 12 years (with a fixed price per day /called "freight rate"). On her maiden voyage to Hamburg, HYUNDAI Together was the first container carrier with Post-Panamax TEU capacity to be handled at the HHLA's Container Terminal Altenwerder.

The 13K-TEU vessels joined ~60 other carriers in HYUNDAI Merchant Marine's fleet, among which crude oil tankers, LNG, general cargo and ore/coal carriers.

Each of these vessels is fitted with a marine diesel engine that is electronically controlled and in compliance with all the latest IMO regulations and standards. This container cargo ship is equipped with advanced performance monitoring systems (online power measurement and multistation alarm monitoring control). Hull and superstructure are coated with latest silyl acrylate SPC (polymer) coating. The vessel also features top-modern IT and Communication Systems, with wired and WiFi networks for both Internet and entertainment (centralized media center and satellite TV) provided to all messrooms and crew cabins.

The ship has a total of 49 Solasafe screens (roller sunscreens, manufactured by Solar Solve Marine). These antiglare transparent shades are installed at the bridge's windows to enhance the working environment within the wheelhouse.

  • Builders: DAEWOO Shipbuilding (South Korea), HYUNDAI Samho Heavy Industries (South Korea)
  • Capacity: 13100 TEU / 800 refrigerated
  • Engines: MAN 12K98MC-C7
  • Power output: 72,24 MW
  • Speed: 23 Kn / 26 mph / 43 kph
  • Draft: 15,5 m / 49 ft
  • Width: 48 m / 157 ft
  • Length: 366 m / 1201 ft
  • NT/Net Tonnage: 59,657t
  • Volume/GT Tonnage: 141,868t
  • DWT Tonnage: 142,117t

List of largest PIL ships

PIL shipping (official name "Pacific International Lines", 1967-founded) is a Singapore-based company and also one of Asia's largest shipowners. Its subsidiaries are PIL Japan, ACL (Atlantic Container Line), Pacific Direct Line, PAE (Pacific Asia Express), Mariana Express Lines. The company also owns Singamas (container manufacturer, logistics operator), logistics and depot subsidiaries (PILlogistics, Segara, AAW Global Logistics, SOKHNA Container Depot, HPC), the terminal operator PIL-PSA (Singapore). PIL shipping is in the world's top 20 largest, with a fleet of 160+ vessels. The biggest of them are currently under construction.

In September 2015, PIL signed shipbuilding contract with Yangzijiang Shipbuilding Ltd (China) for an 8-ship series 11800 TEU boxships with length 1032 ft (314,5 m), width 158 ft (48,2 m) and draft 43 ft (13 m). These are PIL's biggest container ships in its owned fleet. Deliveries were in 2018.

In 2016, PIL owned 119 and chartered 36 vessels (375746 TEUS).

List of largest ACL ships

ACL shipping (officially "Atlantic Container Line", aka "ACL Cargo", 1967-founded) specializes in North Atlantic container shipping. It's a subsidiary of Grimaldi Group (privately-owned Italian ferry shipping company). Grimaldi Lines are well known for having world's largest RORO ships ("Roll-on/roll-off") that can carry wheeled cargo - automobiles, trucks/trailers, railroad cars, etc.

In December 2015, ACL launched the first of all 5 new class "container and RORO" combined vessels, starting with Atlantic Star (Dec 20). Each of these ships has TEU capacity 3800 and car capacity 1307. In 2016, the shipbuilder (Hudong Zhonghua China) launched a new unit every 2 months - Atlantic Sail, Atlantic Sea, Atlantic Sky, Atlantic Sun. This new-class (G4) are the world's biggest container-car carriers.

Next YouTube video is about the world's ever-largest marine vessel today. "Prelude FLNG" (abbrev from "floating liquefied natural gas") is currently world's largest offshore platform ever constructed.

 

Prelude FLNG's vessel particulars include LOA length 488m/1601ft, width 74m/243 ft, deadweight/DWT 260,000t, displacement 600,000t (when fully loaded), cost US$10+ billion. The shipowner is Royal Dutch Shell.