Mid-tier carriers recorded strong profit growth in 2025, according to industry analysts Alphaliner.
Mid-tier carriers operating outside the principal East-West trade routes saw strong earnings development in 2025, significantly outperforming the mainline carriers on a year-on-year basis.
Several medium-sized lines posted increases in operating and net income for the year contrasting with the top-10 container carriers which all logged a fall-off compared to 2024. These year-on-year declines ranged from -34% to -88%.
By comparison, smaller lines such as SITC, Samudera, Nantong Ocean Shipping (NBOSCO), Antong Shipping and Zhonggu Logistics posted profit increases, driven by strong demand in China and the intra-Asia region, and further boosted by tight tonnage supply and service expansion.
Hong Kong-listed SITC recorded a net profit of USD 1.2 bn, up 20% y-o-y, after average freight rates rose on its routes across Southeast Asia and India. It expanded its fleet by more than 15% in 2025.
Thai-based RCL also grew operations and its freight income rose 5%. After adjusting for special items and currency, it produced a dollar net profit of USD 247.5 M, slightly above 2024.
Most striking however were results for China’s medium-sized carriers: Shanghai listed NBOSCO and Antong Shipping increased net profit by 18% and 78%, while Zhonggu’s results were up 27% at the nine-month stage.
Source: Alphaliner
