The Swiss-Italian major expanded its fleet more than any other container carrier in 2022 with second-hand vessels being a particular source of increased capacity. Maersk’s fleet got smaller.
Photo: Jonas /Ritzau Scanpix
On Jan. 5, 2022, MSC took over the position as the world’s largest container liner, and the carrier has been manifesting the leading spot ever since.
MSC’s fleet grew by 321,500 teu in 2022, equivalent to approx. 7.5 percent, writes Alphaliner in an overview of box carrier fleet growth last year.
12 largest box carriers as of Jan. 1, 2023
However, MSC only brought in 83,600 teu from newbuilds, with the rest coming from second-hand vessels acquired throughout the year.
As of January 2023, MSC is no less than 379,000 teu ahead of its closest rival, Maersk, whose fleet shrunk by 61,700 teu during 2022. According to Alphaliner, the declined fleet is primarily a result of the Danish carrier returning chartered tonnage throughout the period.
Examining growth in relation to fleet size, Israeli Zim advanced the most in 2022, adding around 120,000 teu to the fleet, equivalent to growth of 29 percent.
English edit: Kristoffer Grønbæk
