Container carriers (MSC, Maersk, CMA CGM)

In 2024 MSC operated about 20 % of the world container fleet, Maersk close to 14 % and CMA CGM around 12 % ; the top three exceed 45 % of capacity, and the top four with COSCO approach half. Containerised freight, the backbone of manufactured-goods trade, is thus held by a handful of carriers grouped into alliances (Gemini, Ocean Alliance, Premier Alliance) that share ships and services. The lock: a few decision-makers set capacity, port calls and freight rates on the main routes. The early-2025 reshuffle of alliances redealt the cards without reducing concentration.