International shipping moves massive amounts of goods across oceans daily, linking producers, suppliers, and consumers worldwide. The top shipping companies manage vast fleets connecting hundreds of ports and trade routes, enabling global trade to function on a massive scale.

The global shipping containers market is valued at about $10.98 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach $15.01 billion by 2034, showing steady growth in the industry.

With so much at stake, real-time tracking becomes critical for managing shipments efficiently. Vizion offers a solution that delivers precise, real-time container tracking, helping companies in shipping avoid costly demurrage charges and coordinate pickups better to keep shipments on schedule.

Top 10 International Shipping Companies in the World

The shipping industry is highly competitive and constantly evolving. The criteria for ranking these companies are as follows: the size of their fleet, total container capacity measured in TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units), annual revenue, and the extent of their global reach. 

These companies operate vast networks connecting hundreds of ports and trade routes worldwide, enabling massive international trade.

1. Maersk

Maersk is one of the largest and most well-known companies in shipping globally. Founded in Denmark in 1904, it began as a general cargo trader and later expanded into container shipping. 

Over the years, Maersk has grown organically and through acquisitions to build a dominant position in the industry.

• Fleet size and TEU capacity: Maersk operates approximately 675 container ships with a total capacity of over 4 million TEUs, including some of the largest vessels capable of carrying more than 20,000 TEUs.
• Global reach and key trade routes: Maersk’s fleet connects over 1,000 ports across 130+ countries. Key routes include the Far East to Europe and trans-Pacific lanes.

2. Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)

MSC is currently the largest company in terms of shipping by container carrying capacity. Founded in 1970 in Geneva, Switzerland, MSC has rapidly grown its fleet and operations, overtaking Maersk in total TEU capacity in 2021.

• Fleet size and TEU capacity: MSC operates over 800 container ships with a total capacity exceeding 5.6 million TEUs.
• Global reach and key trade routes: MSC serves over 500 ports across 200 trade routes, including major Asia-Europe and trans-Atlantic lanes.

3. COSCO Shipping Corporation

Established in 1961, COSCO Shipping is one of China’s biggest shipping companies. It expanded internationally in the 1990s and has acquired several foreign firms to build its global presence.

• Fleet size and TEU capacity: COSCO runs around 490 container ships with a total capacity of over 3 million TEUs.
• Global reach and key trade routes: The company operates in over 100 countries, serving over 1,000 ports worldwide, covering Asia, Europe, North America, and beyond.

4. CMA CGM Group

Headquartered in Marseille, France, CMA CGM was formed in 1978 by merging major French shipping lines. It has grown into one of the world’s largest container shipping companies.

• Fleet size and TEU capacity: CMA CGM manages a fleet of approximately 634 container ships with a capacity of around 3.6 million TEUs.
• Global reach and key trade routes: It operates across 420 ports in 150 countries, with key routes connecting Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas.

5. Hapag-Lloyd

Hapag-Lloyd, based in Germany, has a long history dating back over 150 years. It was formed in 1970 by merging two major German shipping lines.

• Fleet size and TEU capacity: The company operates around 266 container ships with a total capacity exceeding 1.9 million TEUs.
• Global reach and key trade routes: Hapag-Lloyd serves more than 120 countries via over 120 trade routes, linking major ports in Europe, Asia, the Americas, and Africa.

6. Ocean Network Express (ONE)

Ocean Network Express (ONE) was established in 2017 as a joint venture of three major Japanese shipping lines: Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL), K Line, and Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK).

• Fleet size and TEU capacity: ONE operates a combined fleet of over 200 container ships with a total capacity of around 1.8 million TEUs.
• Global reach and key trade routes: The company serves over 110 trade routes worldwide, focusing on Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Key routes include Asia-Europe and Trans-Pacific lanes.

7. Evergreen Marine

Founded in Taiwan in 1968, Evergreen Marine is one of the largest shipping companies, with a strong presence in Asia, Europe, and North America.

• Fleet size and TEU capacity: Evergreen operates more than 200 large container ships, with some vessels capable of carrying up to 24,000 TEUs.
• Global reach and key trade routes: It primarily serves East-West trade lanes between Asia and Europe/Mediterranean and trans-Pacific routes to North America.

8. Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation

Yang Ming, based in Taiwan, has grown steadily since its founding in 1972 to become a major player in global shipping.

• Fleet size and TEU capacity: Yang Ming manages a fleet of over 90 vessels with a cargo capacity exceeding 700,000 TEUs.
• Global reach and key trade routes: The company connects major ports across Asia, Europe, North America, and Latin America, serving key global trade lanes.

9. Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM)

South Korea’s Hyundai Merchant Marine was founded in 1976 and has grown into a significant global shipping company.

• Fleet size and TEU capacity: HMM operates around 70 container ships with a total capacity of approximately 783,000 TEUs.
• Global reach and key trade routes: It covers major ports in Asia, North America, and Europe, serving routes including Trans-Pacific and Asia-Europe.

10. ZIM Integrated Shipping Services

ZIM, an Israeli shipping company founded in 1945, has recently expanded its fleet significantly.

• Fleet size and TEU capacity: ZIM runs about 124 container ships with a total capacity of nearly 620,000 TEUs.
• Global reach and key trade routes: It operates on major trade routes connecting Asia, North America, Latin America, Africa, and Europe.

Importance of International Shipping in World Trade

Shipping is the primary mode of transport for international trade, carrying over 80% of global trade by volume and more than 70% by value. This makes shipping companies essential players in the world economy.

Container shipping, in particular, has made global trade more affordable and accessible. Standard-sized containers allow goods to move quickly and efficiently between ships, trucks, and trains without extra handling, reducing costs and speeding up delivery times.

Keeping Global Supply Chains Running

Reliable shipping companies are critical in powering international business and managing the vast, complex networks that keep supply chains moving smoothly. Their operations involve coordinating fleets, routes, and regulations on a massive scale.

• Ensure timely and dependable delivery of goods across continents.
• Manage the complexity of coordinating multiple ports, carriers, and customs processes.
• Support industries by maintaining steady flows of raw materials and finished products.
• Adapt to changing market demands and overcome logistical challenges efficiently

Why Container Tracking Matters for the World’s Biggest Shipping Companies

The top international shipping companies manage enormous fleets that move millions of containers daily. But even with vast resources, they face challenges in tracking shipments accurately across oceans, ports, and rail networks. 

Real-time container tracking is essential to ensure these global operations run smoothly, avoid costly delays, and reduce fees that can quickly eat into profits.

Vizion’s Solution for Container Tracking

Vizion delivers a real-time container tracking solution tailored for the complexity of large-scale maritime shipping. 

By integrating multiple reliable data sources and automating data handling, Vizion provides precise, standardized updates that feed directly into your existing business systems, helping companies maintain control and improve efficiency.

• Real-time container tracking: Vizion provides instant updates on container locations and status changes as they happen, ensuring you always have the most current information to make timely decisions.
• Automation that cuts manual work: Vizion minimizes the need for manual data collection through webhooks and triggered event notifications, reducing errors and latency while ensuring your teams get instant updates.
• Smooth integration and scalability: The API easily connects with ERP, TMS, and other enterprise systems, supporting businesses whether they track hundreds or tens of thousands of shipments annually without extra strain.
• Proactive cost control with alerts: Automated Last Free Date notifications help companies act before costly demurrage and detention fees start, allowing better coordination with drayage providers and significant expense savings.

Final Thoughts

The top 10 companies in international shipping illustrate the massive scale and complexity behind moving goods across the globe. Managing fleets connecting hundreds of ports and shipments demands precise oversight and efficient coordination.

For those overseeing supply chains and logistics, having access to reliable, real-time container data is crucial for keeping operations smooth and costs down. Vizion’s solutions deliver comprehensive tracking and detailed event data, enabling smarter decision-making, improved coordination, and minimized exposure to costly fees.

Discover how better visibility can transform your shipping operations. Book a demo with Vizion today!

• 99% of ocean shipments tracked
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7,000 unique events turned into 60 standardized milestones