MSC Expands Lead Over Rivals as Largest Standalone Carrier

Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC) is set to widen its lead over competitors, with new data showing it will soon outpace its closest rival by 2 million TEU. The company has solidified its position as the largest standalone operator following recent shifts in the liner trade landscape.

According to Linerlytica, MSC now boasts stronger market coverage and a larger share compared to the newly formed Gemini Cooperation, the alliance between Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd on east-west routes.

"MSC will be able to offer the same or a larger number of weekly sailings on all of the four main routes than Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, using its self-operated services as well as selective partnerships with Premier Alliance on the North Europe and Med routes and with Zim on the US East Coast and PNW routes," Linerlytica reported in its latest weekly update.

In Alphaliner’s liner rankings, MSC currently has a 1.87 million TEU lead over Maersk, and with its near 2 million TEU orderbook, that gap is set to exceed 2 million TEU in the coming months.