The mid-year update to the global virtual ranking of container liner carriers by country has revealed several positional changes, reflecting shifts in national fleet strategies and carrier developments over the past six months.
Thailand and Russia both slipped in the rankings, falling to 17th and 19th respectively. These declines nearly erased the gains both countries had recorded earlier in the year, underscoring the volatility in mid-tier liner growth and fleet consolidation.
In contrast, Italy climbed two spots to 16th, likely driven by Messina Line’s transition from a container-Ro/Ro hybrid operator to a full container shipping line. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom edged up one position to 18th.
Brazil maintained its spot at 21st, with a total of 26,800 TEU, still trailing behind 20th-ranked Hong Kong, which strengthened its position with the addition of a new carrier, Kawa Shipping.
These developments signal subtle but noteworthy shifts in the container liner landscape, with emerging and established players adjusting strategies amid ongoing fleet realignments and service network expansions.
