Out of 67 global shipping lines, 87 percent of the global containership fleet capacity is controlled by 10 ocean liners, according to the data from the UK's MDS Transmodal.
Maersk Line tops the list with an estimated share of 21 per cent of the global market.
The carrier is followed by its 2M Alliance partner Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and CMA CGM in the third place. The remaining top 10 players include Hapag-Lloyd, Cosco, Evergreen, OOCL, MOL, Yang Ming and NYK.
Over the past four years, the top 10 shipping lines have seen their combined market share increase from 68 to 83 per cent, according to the UK-based consultancy.
During that period, they have seen their deployed capacity rise from 55 million TEU to 86.7 million TEU. The increase was mainly driven by consolidation and mergers and acquisitions over the past few years, a process which is far from over.
OOCL will become part of Cosco this year, bringing the duo's combined share in the deepsea trades to 12 per cent.
In April 2018 the container divisions of NYK, MOL and "K" Line will merge forming Ocean Network Express (ONE). MDS estimates that their combined share of the these trades will be 8.7 per cent.
On the major three east-west routes, the market is dominated by the three alliances - Ocean Alliance, 2M and the Alliance. On the Asia-Europe routes, lines that are not part of alliances account for just one per cent of the total deployed capacity, whereas on transpacific and transatlantic routes, they account for 11 per cent and 17 per cent respectively.
However, on the individual routes, mergers and acquisitions and consolidations could indirectly offer opportunities for small players.
For instance, the strict conditions imposed by the regulatory authorities on Maersk operations after the acquisition of Hamburg Sud have offered the chance for a small line, in this case, Pacific International Lines (PIL), to launch a service between Asia and the east coast of South America.
Nevertheless, the longevity of this kind of services is far from certain as they will be subject to rates volatility, said MDS.
Sources:schedule
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