A.P. Moller - Maersk, the world’s largest container shipping company, looks content to let rivals increase their market share while it holds back from adding capacity in the next year.
Maersk’s share of global container shipping capacity has actually shrunk by 1.5% in the last 12 months. The carrier’s main rivals have gained ground during the period.
The total capacity operated by Maersk and its various subsidiaries, including the likes of Hamburg Sud and Safmarine, has declined by 2.6% to 4.02m teu, compared to 4.11m teu a year ago. During the same period, global capacity increased by 6% to 22.69m teu.
“Maersk is expected to continue to retreat in the next twelve months as its CEO, Søren Skou, has confirmed that it will not pursue further acquisitions or order large new ships in 2019,” Alphaliner stated in its most recent weekly report.
Moreover, Maersk could face an added challenge next month, when the forced withdrawal brought about by Chinese authorities from the Danish carrier’s current Far East – East Coast South America partnerships will trigger a major shake-up on that trade.
According to splash247.com¸China’s Cosco has been the largest gainer in the last 12 months, with its cumulative capacity share (including OOCL) growing from 11.6% to 12.4%. Cosco has also had an enormous delivery schedule this year.