CMA CGM Surpasses Maersk as Top Transpacific Carrier

CMA CGM has overtaken Maersk to claim the top spot as the largest carrier on the transpacific trade route.

According to a November survey conducted by Alphaliner, Maersk’s share of the transpacific market has dipped slightly to 13.1%, just below CMA CGM’s 13.2%. COSCO follows closely in third place with 12.9% of the market. The total capacity on the transpacific route last month was 5.37 million TEU, reflecting a 4.2% year-on-year increase.

Reports on the overall health of the transpacific trade between Asia and North America, however, remain mixed. Analysts at Jefferies, an investment bank, highlight downward pressure on rates since mid-November. Freight rates for the Asia–US West Coast route have fallen from $5,000 per FEU to $4,000 per FEU, with recent spot quotes suggesting rates at or below $3,000 per FEU.

In contrast, experts from the box booking platform Freightos take a more optimistic view. They argue that pre-emptive shipments ahead of a potential January port strike on the US East Coast and anticipated tariff increases for next year have buoyed transpacific rates into early December. Rates to the West Coast are reportedly already higher than the pre-Lunar New Year levels seen in January 2024.

While the market outlook varies, CMA CGM’s ascent marks a significant milestone in the competitive transpacific shipping landscape.