CMA CGM Closes In on Becoming the World’s Second-Largest Container Shipping Line

CMA CGM is edging closer to overtaking Maersk to become the world's second-largest container carrier. If vessel deliveries continue as scheduled, the ranking shift is expected to take place in 2027.

In an interview with French business newspaper Les Echos last week, Rodolphe Saadé, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of CMA CGM, said the Marseille-based group remains on track to surpass its Danish rival within the next 18 months.

According to shipping analyst Linerlytica, however, the milestone could arrive even sooner. Based on the current newbuilding delivery schedule, CMA CGM could overtake Maersk as early as July 2027.

Two Distinct Growth Strategies

The changing industry rankings are the result of strategic decisions made over many years.

While Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has continued expanding its fleet to strengthen its lead as the world's largest container carrier, Maersk has deliberately adopted a more measured growth strategy, prioritizing the development of its integrated logistics business over expanding fleet capacity.

CMA CGM, by contrast, has consistently invested in fleet expansion while simultaneously strengthening its presence across ports, logistics, air freight, and inland transportation to build a comprehensive integrated logistics ecosystem.

Commenting on Maersk's strategy, Hua Joo Tan, Founder of Linerlytica, said: "Maersk's loss of ranking is entirely the result of its own strategic choice. The company has remained committed to its integrated logistics strategy, while its competitors have continued leveraging the exceptional profitability generated by container shipping."

According to Alphaliner, MSC currently leads the industry with approximately 7.3 million TEU of capacity, followed by Maersk with around 4.7 million TEU, while CMA CGM has reached approximately 4.4 million TEU.

With only a few hundred thousand TEU now separating Maersk and CMA CGM, and a substantial orderbook still scheduled for delivery, CMA CGM's rise to second place appears increasingly to be a matter of when - not if.

A Symbolic Milestone

The potential change in rankings represents far more than fleet size alone. It reflects a broader shift in the strategic direction of the global container shipping industry.

For decades, Maersk was widely regarded as the industry's benchmark for fleet scale, global service network, operational discipline, and long-term strategic vision.

Today, however, the competitive landscape has evolved significantly. MSC has redefined the concept of scale in container shipping, while CMA CGM has used the record profits generated during the pandemic to aggressively expand into ports, logistics, air cargo, and other related businesses.

For Rodolphe Saadé, the milestone also carries particular significance. Built and developed by the Saadé family, CMA CGM weathered a difficult period following the global financial crisis and is now on the verge of becoming the world's second-largest container carrier, overtaking one of the most influential brands in the history of container shipping.

Explaining Maersk's strategic direction, Alan Murphy, Chief Executive Officer of Sea-Intelligence, commented: "Maersk has consciously chosen not to defend the top ranking at all costs. Its willingness to move into third place suggests the company does not believe the benefits of maintaining the No. 2 position justify the trade-offs required."

However, Peter Sand, Chief Analyst at Xeneta, believes Maersk may face an even greater challenge in the future: "For Maersk, falling out of the world's top three container carriers could prove even harder to accept, as COSCO also has the potential to move into that position over the longer term."

Scale Versus Sustainable Performance

Although CMA CGM is approaching the industry's second position, rapid fleet expansion also brings significant challenges.

The container shipping industry is entering a major newbuilding delivery cycle, with substantial additional capacity scheduled to enter the market. As a result, concerns over vessel oversupply are expected to intensify in the coming years.

More importantly, fleet size alone does not determine business performance. Long-term competitiveness ultimately depends on profitability, disciplined capital allocation, operational efficiency, and schedule reliability.

Highlighting this point, Alan Murphy said: "As the industry potentially enters another downturn driven by excess capacity, a disciplined approach to fleet growth, tight cost control, and a focus on profitable markets will likely prove to be the more prudent strategy."

The competition between Maersk and CMA CGM now reflects two distinctly different strategic philosophies. Maersk is betting on an integrated logistics model supported by disciplined fleet management to maximize investment returns. CMA CGM, meanwhile, continues pursuing fleet expansion, greater asset ownership, and a broader end-to-end logistics ecosystem to strengthen its position in the global marketplace.

See more:

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• Maersk Significantly Increases Emergency Contingency Surcharge (ECS) on Indian Subcontinent–Latin America Trade
• Hapag-Lloyd Adjusts and Raises Freight Rates on India and Pakistan to Europe Trades
• COSCO schedules: Vietnam - North America in Jul 2026
• SITC updates Vietnam-Intra Asia sailing schedules in Jul 2026
• SHOW INTRODUCTION THE 4TH VIET NAM INTERNATIONAL LOGISTICS EXHIBITION (VILOG 2026)
• Asia–North America Container Freight Rates Surpass US$7,900 as Market Focus Shifts Away from Hormuz
• USD 1.4 Billion Deal: CMA CGM Acquires FedEx Supply Chain to Accelerate North American Expansion
• Expanding Its Presence in the Mediterranean: COSCO SHIPPING Ports-Led Consortium Wins Tarragona Multipurpose Terminal Project
• MSC Invests USD 1.4 Billion to Acquire a 49% Stake in Adani's Vizhinjam Transshipment Port
• Maersk Raises Intermodal Fuel Surcharges in Australia and New Zealand

Source: Phaata.com (According to Splash247)

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