15 Largest Water Transportation Companies in the World (2026 Update)
In 2026, the maritime shipping industry remains a crucial pillar of global trade, with approximately 11 billion tons of goods transported across oceans annually. This equates to about 1.5 tons per person each year. The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) reports that international shipping is valued at around $14 trillion annually, underscoring its significance in the global economy.
Globally, around 6,000 active ships traverse the oceans. If fully loaded, these vessels would collectively weigh approximately 294 million metric tonnes. Given that about 71% of the Earth’s surface is covered by water, it is no surprise that water transportation has become such a vital industry, yet many may struggle to name leading shipping companies.
Below, we present the top 15 largest water transportation companies, ranked by their shipping capacity measured in TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units). One TEU represents the capacity of a standard twenty-foot shipping container, meaning a forty-foot container equals 2 TEU. Each listing includes the estimated market share controlled by the respective company.
Data for this list is sourced from Alphaliner’s Top 100, reflecting the most recent statistics as of early 2026.
15 Largest Water Transportation Companies in the World
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Maersk remains the largest water transportation company worldwide, holding the top position in container shipping since 1996. Recognizable by their gray containers adorned with a white star logo, this Danish company was founded in 1904 in Copenhagen.
As of 2026, Maersk controls approximately 17% of the market, boasting a shipping capacity of around 4.1 million TEU. They reported an impressive revenue of around $40 billion in 2021, reflecting their continued dominance in the industry.
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Mediterranean Shipping Company
Founded in 1970 in Naples, Italy, this Swiss-Italian shipping line has established itself as a key player in global shipping, operating in all major ports and traversing over 200 trade routes.
With a market share of approximately 16% and a shipping capacity of 3.87 million TEU, Mediterranean Shipping Company reported an annual revenue nearing $30 billion, solidifying its position as a formidable competitor to Maersk.
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COSCO Group
Officially known as China Ocean Shipping Company Limited, COSCO was established in 1961 and has grown to become China’s largest liner carrier. Headquartered in Beijing, their fleet serves over a thousand ports globally.
COSCO holds about 12.5% of the market share and has a shipping capacity of 3 million TEU. Their reported revenue in 2019 was around 151 billion yuan (approximately $23 billion), showcasing their significant role in the shipping sector.
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Founded in 1978 through the merger of two companies, CMA CGM operates in 420 ports across 200 shipping routes. Active in over 160 countries, they report an annual revenue of approximately $30 billion.
With a market share around 12% and a shipping capacity of 2.99 million TEU, CMA CGM remains a strong contender in the global shipping landscape.
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Founded in 1970, Hapag-Lloyd has its headquarters in Hamburg, Germany. Their striking logo features a bent H designed to resemble an arrow.
Hapag-Lloyd currently holds approximately 7% of the market share with a shipping capacity of 1.7 million TEU. In 2019, their revenue was reported at €12 billion (around $14 billion), reflecting their ongoing importance in international shipping.
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Ocean Network Express
Known as ONE, this company was established in 2017 and is owned by three major Japanese shipping firms. Recognizable by their pink containers, inspired by cherry blossoms, ONE commands around 6.6% of the market with a shipping capacity of 1.6 million TEU.
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Evergreen Line
This Taiwanese shipping company, founded in 1968, operates a fleet known for its green containers. Evergreen Line serves 240 ports across 80 countries and controls around 5% of the global market with a shipping capacity of 1.3 million TEU.
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Hyundai Merchant Marine America
Founded in 1976 and headquartered in Seoul, South Korea, HMM made headlines in 2020 with the construction of the world’s two largest container ships, each capable of carrying approximately 24,000 TEU.
HMM currently holds a 3% market share and has a shipping capacity of around 700,000 TEU.
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Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp.
Founded in 1972, this Taiwanese company has historical ties to the Qing Dynasty through its merger with China Merchants Steam Navigation Company. Yang Ming controls about 2.6% of the global market and has a shipping capacity of 627,000 TEU.
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ZIM Integrated Shipping Services
Founded in 1945, ZIM is an Israeli cargo company known for its historical importance during Israel’s War of Independence. They reported revenue of $3.299 billion in 2019, despite a relatively small shipping capacity of 400,000 TEU, giving them a market share of around 1.7%.
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Wan Hai Lines
Founded in 1965, Wan Hai Lines has expanded its operations from Taiwan, Japan, and Southeast Asia to include the Americas, Africa, and the Middle East. They control approximately 1.3% of the global market and have a shipping capacity of about 300,000 TEU.
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Pacific International Lines
Founded in 1967 by Chang Yun Chung, PIL started with just two ships. Today, they control an estimated 1.1% of the global market with a shipping capacity of around 250,000 TEU.
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Zhonggu Logistics Corp.
Founded in 2010, Zhonggu Logistics provides various logistics services, including sea and land transportation. They control approximately 0.7% of the global market and have a shipping capacity of around 170,000 TEU.
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KMTC (Korea Marine Transport Co., Ltd.)
Established in 1954, KMTC made history in 1967 as the first company to operate semi-container ships in Korea. They serve regions including India, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Japan, China, and Russia, controlling about 0.7% of the global market with a shipping capacity of 164,000 TEU.
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IRISL Group
Founded in 1967, IRISL operates a fleet of 115 ocean vessels. Despite facing sanctions from various international bodies, they maintain a shipping capacity of around 150,000 TEU and approximately 0.6% of the global shipping market.
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Final Thoughts
The shipping companies listed here play a vital role in connecting the world, delivering essential goods such as oil, iron ore, and grain. Their operations are crucial for providing access to the materials that underpin our economy, enabling the transportation of food, steel, and fuel across vast distances.
These companies not only facilitate global trade but do so while striving to minimize their environmental footprint and maintain cost-effectiveness, which is increasingly important in today’s sustainable-focused economy.
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
