Maersk strengthens its position in Asian shipping, surpassing COSCO in capacity with strategic expansions and a focus on regional trade lanes.
Maersk is continuing to intensify its commitment to Asian regional trade lanes. According to the latest analysis by Alphaliner, Maersk has surpassed COSCO Shipping in deployed capacity across the international intra-Asia shipping market, positioning itself as the largest carrier by capacity in that segment.
As of mid-August, Maersk had deployed 108 vessels on Asian regional routes, representing a total capacity of 343,021 TEU - an increase of approximately 34,000 TEU compared to the same period last year, marking the largest capacity expansion among the major carriers active in the market. COSCO Shipping has fallen to second place, with a current deployed capacity of approximately 315,162 TEU across more than 120 vessels, though its total capacity remains broadly unchanged year-on-year. This shift in rankings reflects Maersk's deliberate strategy of deploying additional capacity and larger average vessel sizes in the region.
The change in rankings is closely tied to Maersk's sustained increase in Asian regional feeder and connector services over the past year. Alphaliner attributes part of this capacity expansion to the hub-and-spoke network underpinning the Gemini Cooperation, which concentrates cargo flows through a dense network of Asian regional shuttle services before connecting to major east-west mainline vessels at key hubs. Maersk's average vessel size in the intra-Asia market currently stands at approximately 3,176 TEU per ship - the highest among the major large-scale carriers operating in the segment.
Among other leading carriers, CMA CGM has also recorded notable capacity growth. Over the past year, CMA CGM added approximately 15,000 TEU in the international intra-Asia market, bringing its deployed capacity to 214,406 TEU and advancing it to third place, ahead of Evergreen Marine. Evergreen Marine currently deploys approximately 205,593 TEU, ranking fourth. Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) has seen its capacity decline, falling approximately 2% year-on-year to 166,542 TEU. Regional specialist SITC International ranks sixth, with approximately 157,000 TEU deployed across 109 vessels in the market.
Across the broader market, capacity on international intra-Asia trade lanes continues to expand. Alphaliner estimates that, excluding domestic routes, total international intra-Asia capacity now approaches 2.6 million TEU, representing year-on-year growth of approximately 6.2% - a rate that outpaces overall global container fleet capacity growth. More than 80 carriers are active in this market, and the competitive landscape remains highly fragmented. Regional and feeder carriers collectively account for approximately 37% of deployed capacity, while the major international carriers control in excess of 63%. The two groups operate with distinct fleet profiles: the large carriers deploy fewer but significantly larger vessels, while regional and feeder operators rely on a greater number of small-to-medium-sized ships to serve ports across Asia.
The latest capacity rankings underscore a broader trend: the world's leading carriers are further reinforcing their Asian regional network presence. Maersk is leveraging the Gemini hub-and-spoke model to strengthen its regional lane capacity; COSCO Shipping maintains a stable position; and CMA CGM continues to expand its footprint. For freight forwarders and shippers, the continued growth in intra-Asia capacity signals that the network connecting Southeast Asia, Northeast Asia, and the region's principal hubs remains in active evolution. As major carriers refine their network structures and new tonnage enters service, vessel sizes, port calls, and transshipment configurations on regional routes are likely to continue shifting - reflecting not simply a recalibration of trade lane logistics, but a sustained and strategic repositioning of global carrier networks across Asia.
