THE largest container carriers are continuing their capacity growth, although at a slower pace so far in 2025, according to a new report from Alpha liner.
The report points out that while MSC Mediterranean Shipping company continues to pull away from the pack, other carriers are also accelerating growth, and for the first time, CMA CGM topped the four million TEU capacity mark.
In the first half of 2025, Alpha liner reports saw an additional 1.18 million TEU of capacity added to the global fleet.
They note it was less than four percent, which marks a break from recent growth-fueled years, but the orderbook remains strong.
The sector reached a total global capacity of 32.7 million TEU with 7,336 active vessels representing a combined total of 388 million dwt, Alpha liner said.
The report highlights that nine of the top 10 carriers each added capacity in the first half of 2025, with an average increase of four percent in capacity.
MSC’s growth is predictable, but it accounted for nearly a third (31 percent) of the growth in the sector.
It continues to move away from the pack with a total capacity of 6.6 million TEU.
By comparison, Maersk remains at 4.6 million TEU while CMA CGM topped the four million mark for the first time.
“MSC’s fleet has expanded by 365,173 TEU since the start of the year,” highlights Alpha liner.
“This growth stems from newbuilding deliveries and ongoing second-hand tonnage acquisition.
So far in 2025, MSC has received 25 new buildings (316,691 TEU), including 12 neopanamax vessels (15,400?16,200 TEU), bolstering its standalone network.
This consistent expansion is not new for the Geneva-based carrier MSC has been the strongest growing carrier for several years running, with notable increases of 12.3 percent (2024), 22.0 percent (2023), 7.5 percent (2022), and 10.7 percent (2021).”
The fastest growing carrier, however, was Ocean Network Express (ONE), which added nearly six percent to its capacity.
“This year marks a strategic shift for ONE, as it began taking delivery of new capacity under direct ownership,” said Alpha liner.
CSSC, CSIC merge to create world's biggest shipbuilder
THE Shanghai Stock Exchange has approved the merger of China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) and China Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (CSIC), reports London’s Port Technology International.
Following the July 4 approval, the acquisition will result in the formation of the world’s largest shipbuilding conglomerate, positioning China as a dominant force in the global maritime industry.
Under the terms of the agreement, CSSC will issue new A- shares to CSIC shareholders in a share-swap transaction valued at CNY115.2 billion (US$16 billion).
This amount accounts for more than half of the total assets of each company.
Following completion, CSIC will be delisted from the Shanghai Stock Exchange, with CSSC absorbing all its assets, liabilities, contracts, and workforce.
Maritime analyst Alpha liner estimates that the combined entity will possess assets worth around CNY400 billion and generate annual revenues close to CNY 130 billion.
This merger solidifies China’s position as a dominant force in global shipbuilding, creating a powerhouse capable of competing with the largest shipyards worldwide.
The consolidation follows earlier moves in the sector, including the 2019 establishment of the China State Shipbuilding Group, which controls both CSSC and CSIC.
In 2024, the combined companies secured orders for 257 ships, totalling 28.61 million deadweight tonnes (DWT), representing nearly 17 percent of global newbuild orders, according to data from Clarksons.
Chinese exports jump 5.8pc in June beating expectations
CHINESE exports in June jumped 5.8 percent year on year in dollar volume, beating expectations as companies used a tariff truce with the US to ship goods ahead of an August deadline, reports London’s Financial Times.
The strong trade figures came ahead of this week’s GDP data for the second quarter that is also expected to please Beijing, as policymakers seek to stimulate a weak domestic economy while navigating geo political turmoil.
But the first-half trade data could sway the Trump administration to tighten its tariff noose on China and the south- east Asian countries that it accuses of permitting transshipment, or rerouting Chinese goods to the US.
China’s June export growth beat a five percent rise predicted by analysts in a Reuters poll as well as 4.8 percent growth in May.
Imports last month rose 1.1 percent on a year earlier in dollars, weaker than analysts’ forecasts of 1.3 percent but reversing a 3.4 percent decline in May and marking the first expansion since December.
Since the expansion was inaugurated in June 2024, the terminal’s operational capacity has grown by 80 percent, handling 1.96 million TEUS that year.
The South Pier now exceeds one kilometre in length, with annual capacity approaching 3 million TEUS.
It can berth three ultra large container vessels (LCVs) simultaneously, enabling greater efficiency and throughput.
Carlos Merino, CEO of DP World in Peru, Ecuador, and Co lombia, said: “This expansion transformed our ability to connect Peru to the world.
It’s not just about moving more containers it’s about building long-term resilience in our supply chains, attracting next-generation investments, and making Peruvian trade more agile and globally competitive.
DP World has invested over $3 billion in Callao infrastructure since 2010.
DP World Callao is the first port terminal to be licensed under the Peru Brand, recognising its 15-year contribution to national exports and economic development.
The company plans to Continue investing in infrastructure and sustainable logistics.
In March, DP World signed an eight-year agreement with Maersk to enhance marine services at its port in Santos, Brazil.
The agreement includes the launch of new long-term services by Maersk and a commitment to maintain a minimum level of service throughout the contract period.
DP World halves shipping times between Romania and Turkey
DP World has reduced transit times between Romania and Turkey by 50 percent, following upgrades to its Black Sea operations.
According to Reuters, the company has increased container capacity at Constana Port, Romania’s largest on the Black Sea, through the addition of a RoRo terminal and a logistics hub in western Romania.
The improvements have shortened shipment duration from Istanbul to Bucharest to under 30 hours, offering an alternative to road transport.
A new scanning facility at the Constan? a RoRo terminal has also decreased truck inspection times from several hours to minutes.
DP World has introduced an integrated European logistics service that combines road, sea, air, and rail transport, targeting markets in Bulgaria, Moldova, Serbia, and Turkey.
The company plans further investment exceeding 200 million ($232 million) to expand infrastructure, workforce, and digital capabilities, responding to growing demand from sectors such as automotive, e-commerce, and renewable energy, as well as shifting manufacturing closer to Eastern Europe.
Recently, DP World, the Deendayal Port Authority, and Nevomo signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to explore collaboration opportunities for a pilot project using Nevomo’s MagRail technology.
This initiative aligns with India’s National Logistics Policy and PM Gati Shakti agenda, aiming to enhance port hinterland connectivity and modernise logistics infrastructure.
Port Houston container trade hits 2 million TEUS in June
Container volumes at Port Houston exceeded 2 million TEUS year-to-date in June, reaching 2.16 million TEUS-up 3 percent compared to the same period in 2024.
Monthly volumes at Port Houston totalled 331,864 TEUs, a 2 percent decline from June last year.
Resin exports remain a key driver of activity, with the port handling 60 percent of the US resin export market.
Loaded container exports rose 16 percent year-over-year (YoY) in June, while loaded imports declined 9 percent.
Starting 1 August, the port will implement a dwell fee for refrigerated import containers (reefers) that remain at its terminals beyond a designated time, aimed at improving yard efficiency.
General cargo volumes at public terminals increased 6 percent year-to-date (YTD).
Steel imports rose 3 percent, totalling 2.18 million short tonnes Overall tonnage through Jun reached 27.4 million short tonnes up 3 percent from the previous year.
Last month, Port Houston welcomed the President’s FY 202 budget, which includes $214.6 million for the Houston Ship Channel, the nation’s busiest waterway These funds are in addition to the $33 million for Project 11 and $9 million for O&M included in the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers’ F 2025 Workplan.
Textile, clothing fetch $17.9bn
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s textile and clothing exports posted a modest growth of 7.39pc in FY25, reaching $17.89bn compared to $16.66bn in the previous fiscal year, according to data released by the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) the other day.
Product-wise, readymade garments led the growth with a 15.85pc increase in value and 5.80pc in quantity, followed by knitwear, which rose 13.68pc in value and 6.47pc in quantity.
Bedwear exports grew 11.07pc in value and 8.37pc in quantity, while towel exports saw marginal increases of 2.61pc in value and 1.62pc in quantity.
Conversely, cotton cloth exports fell 3.05pc in value and 7.03pc in quantity, and yarn exports dropped sharply by 28.76pc.
The export of made-up articles, excluding towels, rose 8.45pc, while tents, canvas and tarpaulin increased 6.21pc.
Raw cotton exports declined steeply by 98.45pc.
On the import side, synthetic fiber and synthetic/ artificial silk yarn imports rose 5.19pc and 12.03pc, respectively.
Imports of other textile items surged 67.99pc.
Raw cotton imports jumped 182.53pc year on-year, reflecting higher domestic demand amid local production constraints.
Imports of second-hand clothing also rose 17.79pc, while textile machinery imports increased significantly by 61.51pc.
Pakistan’s total exports rose 4.45pc to $32.04bn in FY25, up from $30.67bn in the previous fiscal year.
Oil imports Oil import bill fell 5.76pc to $15.94bn in FY25 from $16.91bn a year earlier.
The decline continued a trend observed in recent months, driven by lower global prices and import values, despite increased volumes.
Crude oil imports declined 1.54pc in value, although the quantity imported rose 12.39pc to 10.18 million tonnes, up from 9.05m tonnes.
Similarly, petroleum product imports dropped 10.3pc in value, but volumes increased 4.28pc to 10.80m tonnes from 10.35m tonnes.
OOCL's Q2 sales slide on lower transpac, Asia-Europe rates
OOCL’s transpacific revenues fell 18 percent to US$753 million in the second quarter from $922 million a year earlier.
OOCL’s second-quarter revenues dropped 6.5 percent year over year to $2.1 billion amid falling freight rates on transpacific and Asia-Europe services, the carrier said in its quarterly update.
The revenue decline came despite a 4.4 percent increase in total container volumes to two million TEU, the carrier said.
OOCL, the liner offshoot of Hong Kong-listed Orient Overseas (International), a Cosco Shipping Holdings subsidiary, said second-quarter transpacific revenues were also hit by a 4.3 percent fall in container volumes to 501,814 TEU.
OOCL said revenue from Asia- Europe services dropped 15 percent to $443 million in the April- June period despite a 3 percent increase in liftings to 361,722 TEU.
Intra-Asia and Australasia remained OOCL’s biggest contributor to revenue and volumes after the carrier saw a nine percent increase to $728 million in second-quarter revenue.
Liftings climbed system eight per cent to 951,940 TEU.
Revenue from transatlantic services surged 25 percent to $194 million, while container volumes rose 21 percent to 147,824 TEU.