CMA CGM, Maersk, and COSCO Shipping Lines are competing for the market lead in the Transpacific trade, according to Alphaliner.
CMA CGM has regained the position of market leader from Maersk, which was number one in November 2023. At the time, the Danish carrier had several extra loader services deployed in the trade. Maersk’s market share is now slightly lower at 13.1%, while its French competitor has 13.2%. COSCO follows a close third with 12.9%.
The dominance of CMA CGM and Maersk is attributed to their respective takeovers of APL and Sealand. Both APL and Sealand still operate US-flagged ships.
CMA CGM and COSCO are both members of the OCEAN Alliance and their Taiwanese partner Evergreen Marine Corporation (EMC) ranks fifth on the Transpacific, with a market share of 11%.
Over the course of 2024, Evergreen phased in additional 15,372 TEU newbuildings into the trade, resulting in a 4.7% fleet growth year-on-year. The combined market share of OCEAN thus stood at 36.7% as of November.
MSC, the largest liner operator, only ranks sixth in the Transpacific trade, with a market share of 8.2%. The Swiss-Italian shipping line reduced capacity by about 20%, compared with November 2023. This is mainly due to the conversion of MSC’s high-capacity Asia – US East Coast ‘Santana’ service into an Asia – Central America – East Coast of South America loop earlier this year, tapping into increased demand for Asian exports to South America.
MSC is, however, expected to significantly increase capacity in February 2025, when its new standalone East-West network will come on stream. Its fifth Transpacific loop, branded Mustang, will serve Xiamen, Yantian, Ningbo, Shanghai, Busan, Seattle, Vancouver, Portland, Busan and Xiamen. Mustang enables MSC to continue offering direct sailings to and from Portland in Oregon, which is currently served by its current Chinook service.
Percentage-wise, Wan Hai Lines recorded the strongest growth in the trade at 39.3%. The Taiwanese carrier deployed more 13,450 TEU newbuildings and it also offered additional sailings under the AA1 service. As of November, Wan Hai had a 3.1% market share in the Transpacific.
Alison Koo
Asia Correspondent
