Top 7 Shipping Companies in the World

Since ships can transport larger quantities of cargo and over longer distances than any other mode of transport. That’s exactly why it’s the preferred or the only feasible transportation in many cases.

Owing to this, it contributes a major percentage to the world’s economy. Whether it’s an export-import business that you are a part of or plan on moving across the borders, you’ll need to put some time and effort into researching the world’s best shipping companies.

Each one covers different countries, offer different prices and may take different routes for transportation. Here is a list of the top 7 shipping companies that you can pick from

APM-Maersk

With its headquarters in Copenhagen Denmark, AP Moller – Maersk is the biggest operating unit of the Maersk Shipping Line. The Maersk Line started operating from the year 1904 and has held its invincible reputation since then. Since its the largest container ship operator across the globe, it’s the number 1 preference of most businesses that are looking for international transportation. 

The company is estimated to transport cargo worth around $675 billion each year and runs its services across 130 countries. Currently, the company owns a fleet of 711 ships and makes a revenue of 40.3 Billion US Dollars. 

MSC – Mediterranean Shipping Company

The Mediterranean Shipping Company or MSC is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland and started its operation from the year 1970. Holding the ownership of 524 container ships at present, it operates in over 150 countries. Currently, the company has over 480 offices in different locations around the world and has stopovers at 315 ports. 

MSC also owns 4 of the largest container ships present in the world. These large container ships have the capacity to carry 19,000 containers, 20 feet each. 70,000 employees are associated with the company and it generates over 28 billion US Dollars as revenue.

CMA-CGM

CMA-CGM Group is the third biggest shipping company in the world and is based in France. The headquarters of the company is in Marseille, France but it operates in 160 countries worldwide and calls at 420 ports situated across the waters. The company was founded in 1978 and currently generates a grand revenue of over 15.7 billion USD. They own a fleet of 509 vessels and 750 warehouses.

COSCO – China Ocean Shipping Company

More widely known as COSCO, the China Ocean Shipping Company is another one of the leading names in the shipping industry. The headquarters are situated in Beijing, China but the company operates in 40 countries around the globe. 

It owns 461 container ships presently, 5 of which are categorized among the top 10 largest container ships of the world. Each of these large ships can hold over 19,000 containers, 21 feet each. The company was founded in 1961 and generates a revenue of 10.2 billion USD in the present day.

Hapag-Lloyd

Another one of the renowned shipping companies in the world is Hapag-Lloyd which is based in Hamburg, Germany and operates 175 containers across 117 different countries globally. It started operating since 1970 and generates a revenue of 12 billion USD currently. 

Ocean Network Express (ONE)

Last but not least, we have a comparatively new shipping company which was launched by Japan in 2017. Although it’s a Japanese company, ONE has its headquarters in Singapore and covers most of Asia, Africa, and Latin America through its services. With over 217 vessels currently, it’s among the largest shipping companies in the world.

Evergreen Line

Evergreen Line (or Evergreen Marine Cooperation) is another Chinese shipping company that deserves a spot among the world’s largest container shipping companies. Dr. Yand Fa Chang founded the company back in 1968 and the headquarters are based in Taiwan. Currently, Evergreen Line holds the possession of more than 200 container ships.