GENEVA: MSC maintained its position as the world’s largest container shipping line by cargo volumes in 2025, while APM Terminals strengthened its standing among the world’s leading container terminal operators, according to the latest rankings from DynaLiners.
MSC transported approximately 30 million TEUs during 2025, representing an 11.1% increase from the 27 million TEUs recorded in 2024. The strong performance enabled MSC to widen its lead over its closest competitors, underlining its continued dominance of the global container shipping market.
COSCO Shipping retained second place with 27.435 million TEUs, while Maersk ranked third with 25.884 million TEUs. CMA CGM followed in fourth position with 24.24 million TEUs, while Hapag-Lloyd ranked fifth with 13.486 million TEUs.
MSC Widens Gap with Major Rivals
MSC recorded stronger volume growth than its two closest competitors during 2025. COSCO Shipping increased its volumes by 5.8%, from 25.939 million TEUs in 2024 to 27.435 million TEUs, while Maersk posted a 4.9% increase, reaching 25.884 million TEUs from 24.676 million TEUs.
As a result, MSC’s lead over COSCO expanded to approximately 2.57 million TEUs, compared with around 1.06 million TEUs in 2024. Its advantage over Maersk also increased significantly, reaching approximately 4.12 million TEUs.
Among the 12 liner operators tracked by DynaLiners, PIL recorded the strongest percentage growth, with volumes rising 16.7% to 2.58 million TEUs. MSC followed with 11.1% growth, while Hapag-Lloyd increased 8.2%.
Other major carriers also recorded positive growth, including COSCO Shipping at 5.8%, Maersk at 4.9%, Evergreen at 3.6%, HMM at 3.1%, ONE at 1.4% and Wan Hai at 0.6%.
However, Yang Ming and ZIM recorded declines of 6.3% and 2.3%, respectively.
Collectively, the 12 carriers handled 164.147 million TEUs in 2025, representing growth of 5.2%. DynaLiners estimated total global liner shipping volumes at approximately 194.086 million TEUs, up 4.1% year on year.
APM Terminals Moves into Global Top Three
The terminal operator rankings also showed significant movement during 2025, with APM Terminals rising from fourth to third place.
APM Terminals handled approximately 59.3 million TEUs, an increase of 11% compared with 53.2 million TEUs in 2024. The growth enabled the company to overtake COSCO Shipping Ports in the global rankings.
PSA retained the number-one position among terminal operator groups, handling 69.9 million TEUs, up 4%. China Merchants Port remained second with approximately 66 million TEUs, recording 8% growth.
COSCO Shipping Ports moved to fourth place with 58.2 million TEUs, despite its volumes increasing by 7%. Meanwhile, MSC ranked fifth with 51.1 million TEUs, registering a substantial 15% increase.
DP World advanced to sixth place, handling 49.4 million TEUs, up 12%, while Hutchison Ports moved to seventh with 47.6 million TEUs, an increase of 3%.
CMA CGM Posts Strongest Growth Among Top Terminal Operators
Among the 10 largest terminal operator groups, CMA CGM recorded the highest percentage growth, with its handled volumes increasing by 22% to 15.8 million TEUs, while retaining eighth position.
MSC followed with 15% growth, while DP World recorded 12%. APM Terminals and ICTSI each increased their volumes by 11%, followed by China Merchants Port at 8%, COSCO Shipping Ports at 7%, Yilport at 6%, PSA at 4% and Hutchison Ports at 3%.
Combined, the Top 10 global terminal operator groups handled approximately 441.1 million TEUs in 2025, representing a 9% year-on-year increase.
Their combined share of estimated global container port throughput also increased to 44% in 2025, compared with 43% a year earlier.
The latest DynaLiners rankings highlight the continuing consolidation and expansion of the global container shipping and terminal sectors, with leading carriers and terminal operators strengthening their networks, increasing volumes and competing for a larger share of international container trade.
