Ocean Alliance members leads orderbook race

As the global container shipping industry pushes forward with expansion and modernization, the focus is shifting to the orderbook. Among the major players, Ocean Alliance members have emerged as the leaders in the race to build the future fleet. This trend reinforces the dominant role of shipping alliances in global trade.

According to the latest data from Alphaliner, shipping alliances and MSC now dominate the container ship orderbook. This trend continues to consolidate power among a few major carriers.

Ocean Alliance tops the orderbook rankings

The numbers reveal a strong lead by Ocean Alliance, whose members (CMA CGM, COSCO, Evergreen, and OOCL) have placed orders for a combined 207 ships. This puts Ocean Alliance at the forefront of global fleet expansion.

With this aggressive ordering strategy, Ocean Alliance is preparing to meet future demand while also strengthening its position on key trade routes, particularly Asia–Europe and trans-Pacific lanes.

MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company)

Although MSC is not part of any formal alliance, its scale and strategic independence position it as a dominant force. The company has ordered 123 ships as part of its continued push for economies of scale and improved environmental performance.

Gemini Cooperation (Maersk, Hapag-Lloyd)

Gemini Cooperation, which includes Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, plans to deploy 81 new vessels. These additions support the group’s strategy to offer consistent, reliable, and sustainable shipping across major trade lanes.

Premier Alliance (ONE, HMM, Yang Ming)

The Premier Alliance has 64 ships on order. This investment strengthens its competitive edge in the trans-Pacific and intra-Asia markets. In addition, the alliance is focusing on digitalization and environmental innovation through new vessel designs.

Non-Alliance Carriers

Outside the alliance structure, non-alliance carriers in Alphaliner’s Top 100 have ordered a total of 208 ships. While notable, this figure is nearly matched by Ocean Alliance alone and significantly lower when compared to the collective total of alliance members and MSC.

Strategic Implications: A Future Built by Alliances

Together, MSC and alliance-affiliated carriers have 475 ships on order. This represents nearly 70% of all new ships ordered by the industry’s top 100 carriers. As a result, the future of container shipping is becoming even more concentrated among a few strategic players.

By contrast, non-alliance carriers, although still investing in new tonnage, account for 208 ships, a much smaller role in shaping the industry’s future fleet.

The container shipping orderbook tells a clear story. The future of global trade is being shaped by shipping alliances members, and the gap between alliance and non-alliance carriers will likely continue to widen.