Majority of top-10 carriers reduce Transatlantic capacity

Transatlantic capacity declined slightly year on year as most of the trade’s top carriers reduced their deployed capacity, according to Alphaliner.

In July, Alphaliner counted 189 container ships trading in services connecting North and South Europe with Canada, the US (both coasts) and the US Gulf.

Their combined capacity stood at 1,119,150 teu, which represents a small 0.4% year-on-year decline. Only three top-10 carriers increased their capacity compared to July 2025.

Low ocean freight rates and high charter costs forced Hapag-Lloyd to close its North Europe – US East Coast – Central America ‘Caribbean Express Service’ (‘CES’). The loop was shut down in December.

Another major rationalization on the North Europe – US route was the closure of the North Europe – South Atlantic ‘AT2 / TAE2’ loop operated jointly by ONE and Evergreen, which was part of the offering of a Vessel Sharing Agreement between the partners of OCEAN Alliance (CMA CGM, COSCO SHIPPING Lines/ OOCL, Evergreen) and ONE.

Six of the top-10 carriers in the Transatlantic (TA) trade have lowered their capacities over the last twelve months, while the Grimaldi-controlled Atlantic Container Line (ACL) kept its fleet of five conro ships unchanged.

There are no changes in the positions for the four largest carriers, with MSC further increasing market share from 41.8% last year to 44.2% in our last count. Total capacity of the 69 ships deployed by the Geneva-based carrier stands at 529,340 teu, compared to 176,000 teu for the number two (Hapag-Lloyd).

Source: Alphaliner