Maersk expands box capacity at double the rate of rivals in 2011

DENMARK`s mighty Maersk Line grew ever-mightier last year after expanding container shipping capacity at double the pace of the overall industry, which is estimated to have grown by 7.9 per cent globally to 15.4 million TEU, according to Alphaliner figures.

By doing so Maersk has increased global market share, driving it up to 16 per cent, an increase of 1.5 percentage points compared to its market share at the beginning of 2011.


It noted that over the course of last year, the carrier boosted its fleet of vessels by 18 per cent, or 392,000 TEU.


Drewry Shipping Consultants estimates that overall demand last year rose by 6.5 per cent. "Much of that growth, however, likely came in secondary and emerging markets rather than the large east-west trade lanes that have absorbed the largest of the new ships," the report said, reinforcing widespread concerns of surplus capacity leading to more idle tonnage.


Maersk has also ordered 20 ships 18,000-TEU. The Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) came in second with 14 per cent capacity growth of 250,000 TEU last year. Meanwhile, CMA CGM was third with 11 per cent growth, and Cosco fourth with 19 per cent growth.