Alphaliner

27/05/2026

📢 Route trends lead to range of Q1 operating margins for lines!

🗓️ The average operating margin for the leading container carriers reached 5.2% in the first quarter of 2026, practically unchanged on the previous three months, but the result disguised a wide variety of individual performances by the lines.

📊 While the average ratio of EBIT return on carriers’ revenues remained in positive territory, and only marginally lower than the previous quarter’s 5.3% average, the gap between well and poorly performing lines grew more clearly in the period, forming two distinct groups.

📉 As in the previous quarter, three carriers declared operating losses: ZIM, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd reported EBIT of -USD 5 M, -USD 174 M and -USD 192 M on shipping activities for the period.

ℹ️ This produced negative operating margins ranging from –0.4% (essentially a break-even result) to –3.6%. It was Maersk’s second consecutive quarter of operating losses for its Ocean division.

💲The lines, which operate above average capacity on the Transatlantic, suffered from shrinking export volumes out of Europe, which impacted both volumes and prices.

🔍 Also at the low end of the range, Yang Ming and ONE returned to profit in Q1 after slumping to a deficit in the fourth quarter of 2025.

✅ Read the full story and subscribe for the latest news in Liner shipping at https://public.axsmarine.com/alphaliner/publications.

25/05/2026

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21/05/2026

📢 Mirna Haddadin, Sinem Sen, Mael Pape-Léostic and Johnny Dewan from Signal were on the ground at TOC Europe in Hamburg this week.

🌍 It was a great event filled with meaningful catch-ups and conversations with clients throughout - exactly the kind of connection that makes these gatherings worthwhile.

💭 Thank you to everyone who stopped by to connect!

20/05/2026

📢 European carriers control most of Europe-ECSA & WCSA trades!

🌍 The trades between Europe and the two coasts of South America are largely controlled by four European carriers. MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM and Hapag-Lloyd together operate 93.3% of all capacity, based on April figures.

💪 COSCO SHIPPING and Ocean Network Express (ONE) are the only Asian carriers trading between Europe and the East and West Coasts of South America, with a joint market share of 6.2%. This leaves only 0.5% for two niche carriers.

ℹ️ A total of 99 container ships were trading between Europe and ECSA & WCSA in April, representing a total capacity of 710,530 teu or 2.1% of the total cellular container fleet.

🚢 The Europe – ECSA trade was host to 49 ships with a total capacity of 369,573 teu. This was slightly larger than the Europe – WCSA trade with 50 ships totalling 340,957 teu. The average size of the ships trading to the East Coast is 7,542 teu. This compares to 6,819 teu for the West Coast.

🥇 MSC is now the market leader on both routes. Its market share by capacity deployed between Europe and ECSA stands at 34.8%. The Geneva-based carrier increased its capacity 4.1% year-on-year.

📉 This was enough to take over the number one position from Maersk. The Danish shipping line reduced its capacity by 13.0% y-o-y by shifting a series of 10,589 teu ‘Cap San-class’ ships to the Asia – Latin America trade in a swap with ‘L-class’ ships of 8,850 teu, which are now deployed in the Europe – ECSA ‘Samba’ service.

🔄 Despite this vessel swap, Maersk still has a strong market position with a 31.9% share.

✅ Read the full story and subscribe for the latest news in Liner shipping at https://public.axsmarine.com/alphaliner/publications.

19/05/2026

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15/05/2026

📢 The global container supply chain community is gathering in Hamburg - and we'll be there!

🌍 Next week, TOC Europe will bring together the world's leading minds in port and terminal operations for three days of breakthrough technologies, forward-thinking strategies, and connections that matter. With 4,500+ attendees, 100 thought-leading speakers, and 900 port & terminal executives from over 100 countries - this is where the future of the industry takes shape.

🤝 Our Sinem Sen and Mirna Haddadin will be on the ground, connecting with senior decision-makers from across ports, terminals, and maritime logistics, and exploring the partnerships and opportunities that drive businesses forward.

📍 If you're heading to Hamburg, reach out to Sinem or Mirna - they'd love to connect in person!

13/05/2026

📢 MSC has almost half of the North Europe - Med market!

🚢 MSC controls nearly half of all cellular capacity deployed in the North Europe - Mediterranean trades which as per 1 May stands at 360,517 teu.

📈 The Geneva-based carrier has by far the highest market share of all carriers in the North Europe - Med service segment. It reaches 45.5%, more than double that of its overall 21.6% global market share, placing it well ahead of all competing operators.

🌍 Alphaliner has identified only ten carriers offering regular liner services between North Europe and the Mediterranean.

💪 Seven of these are established Main Line Operators (MSC, CMA CGM, Maersk, COSCO Shipping Lines, ONE, ZIM and Hapag-Lloyd), collectively accounting for 97.3% of the total North Europe - Med capacity.

📊 This leaves a combined share of just 2.7% for the three regional carriers Tailwind Shipping Lines, Borchard Lines and Akkon Lines.

✅ Read the full story and subscribe for the latest news in Liner shipping at https://public.axsmarine.com/alphaliner/publications.

08/05/2026

⏪ Looking back at last month's breaking news, container shipping developments showed a market adjusting on multiple fronts: from fleet ownership to operating speeds.

📰 Based on Alphaliner’s Weekly Newsletter:
🔸 Far East–Oceania capacity surged by 12%, outpacing global fleet growth
🔸 MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company and CMA CGM led the expansion, reshaping rankings on the route
🔸 The decline of Non-Operating Owners slowed, but carriers continued absorbing tonnage
🔸 Regional carriers outperformed global lines, driven by strong intra-Asia demand
🔸 Rising bunker prices pushed fleet speeds to their lowest levels in over two years

📌 The takeaway: growth continues, but it’s becoming more selective, more regional, and more cost-driven.

📝 We’ve summed up the major container shipping developments we reported throughout April in our latest blog.

👉 Read our recap here:

Catch up on container shipping news reported in April 2026, including Far East–Oceania growth, re**er capacity expansion, NOO fleet shifts, regional carrier profits, and slower vessel speeds.

07/05/2026

⏪ Looking back at April, container shipping data revealed just how abnormal current market conditions were.

🕵️ Based on Alphaliner insights:
🔸 Container ship transits through Hormuz remained extremely limited, even after the ceasefire
🔸 Several vessels were attacked or seized, marking a clear escalation in risk
🔸 International liner participation became sporadic and highly selective
🔸 Global fleet capacity expanded beyond 34 Mteu, with MSC exceeding 7.3 Mteu
🔸 The market remained fully employed, but partly because capacity was effectively trapped or diverted

📝 We’ve broken this down in our latest data-driven article recapping the main container ship trends observed throughout April.

💡 Read our full blog:

Explore container ship data trends reported in April 2026, including Hormuz disruption, vessel attacks, fleet exceeding 34 MTEU, and tight market conditions.

06/05/2026

📢 Chinese-built slow-steamer container ships: from domestic workhorses to charter market stars?

📅 Over the past decade, the Chinese coastal and domestic trades have absorbed numerous container ship newbuildings designed specifically for this growing sector of the liner market. Most of these vessels share features that adapt them to the specific requirements of the trade.

🛳️ The Chinese domestic lines favour very compact ships with a high deadweight, small engines, modest re**er intakes, and slow sailing speeds that rarely exceed 15 knots. Typically, these ships are built without gear and their lashing bridge arrangements are minimal to non-existent.

ℹ️ The ship design reflects the nature of the cargo and the routes, with fairly high average container weights, a low percentage of re**er containers, and relatively short steaming distances between the Chinese main ports.

🔎 One might describe these ships as 'low tech' vessels with specifications that make them resemble open-hatch bulk carriers without cranes.

🏗️ While some of this tonnage was produced by first-tier yards such as Yangzijiang or Jinling, many vessels originate from lesser-known producers of the second or third tier that primarily build tonnage for compatriot owners in China.

✅ Read the full story and subscribe for the latest news in Liner shipping at https://public.axsmarine.com/alphaliner/publications.