Presently, Maersk is 6% larger than MSC, and with the known orderbooks this will gradually decline to 4%, according to Sea-Intelligence, while Alphaliner data shows that in terms of global market share there is now just a 0.9% difference between the two companies, both part of the 2M alliance.
“In absolute terms, it also means that if MSC goes ahead and orders just a single new series of ultra-large vessels for the Asia-Europe trade, and Maersk continues their current strategy of not ordering more large tonnage, then we will see MSC overtake Maersk on fleet size,” Sea-Intelligence noted.
Maersk top management have repeatedly stressed this year the Danish line is not in the market for newbuilds any time soon.
Sea-Intelligence said that Maersk is pursuing a strategy focused on profitability rather than size.
“But ‘losing’ the #1 ranking spot, which the carrier has had for a quarter of a century, would still likely have some emotional impact in Copenhagen,” the analysts observed.