MSC is expected to surpass Maersk to become the largest shipping company
If Mediterranean Shipping Co continues its aggressive acquisition policy, the company is expected to surpass its 2M alliance partner Maersk to become the world's largest container shipping company (calculated by capacity).
Alphaliner data show that Mediterranean Shipping has 587 cargo container ships, including 3.9 million TEUs, while Maersk’s 711 ships have a total capacity of 4.1 million TEUs. The capacity gap between the two is only 234,000 teu.
Alphaliner said: "Regardless of past development and fleet growth, airlines are opposed to new container ships. It is expected that MSC will surpass its Danish rivals in 2022 and become the world's number one."
Maersk’s order volume is close to 660,000 teu, mainly for super large tonnage, while Maersk’s order volume is only 42,000 teu.
Alphaliner said: "MSC's oil pipeline may grow further because it is believed that many large new buildings will join the MSC fleet with unproven long-term leases." "At the same time, Maersk is not expected to make any major payments soon. Orders."
Maersk has stated many times that it is content to keep the fleet at around 4 million TEUs. Just last November, Maersk Chief Executive S?ren Skou also stated that the company has enough tonnage to participate in the competition and will only order replacement ships when necessary.
Alphaliner said that MSC needs to order new ships to replace old ships and adapt to the increasing demand for freight.
"If MSC hopes to increase its cargo lifting capacity by 3% every year, the company needs to increase 361,000 teu before the end of 2023, which does not include the capacity of new ships to replace old ships."
Among the tonnages ordered, nearly 100,000 teu of capacity will not be delivered until 2024.
The analyst said: "The ratio of MSC's orders to the existing fleet is 16.9%, which is higher than the market average of around 15%." "Compared with Evergreen (52.9%), Wan Hai (36.9%) or Zim (35.5%) In comparison, this seems to be'medium ambition'."
MSC is also active in the leasing and second-hand market.
Alphaliner said: "Since August, MSC has purchased more than 30 ships, ranging in size from 925 teu to 8,500 teu." "Although these acquisitions have promoted the growth of the MSC fleet, the overall capacity impact is quite limited because of the large Most of the large vessels were leased to MSC at the time of acquisition.
Nonetheless, purchasing these vessels at the appropriate time allows Mediterranean Shipping to avoid paying the rapidly increasing charter fee for this tonnage.
Maersk’s market size is largely achieved through the acquisition of other airlines (such as Sea-Land, P&O Nedlloyd and Hamburg Süd). Unlike Maersk, MSC’s growth is organic, and Geneva-based Maersk prefers independent development. .