North American port volumes remain strong in June
July 24, 2026
According to Alphaliner, changing carrier strategies and growing feeder networks have reshaped the intra-North Europe container market over the past year.
Maersk has achieved by far the highest growth in capacity and market share of the carriers in the intra-North European service segment over the past twelve months.
Intra-North European service capacity grew by 6.8%, or close to 20,000 teu, compared to July 2025, as carriers deployed 243 ships against 235 a year earlier, of a marginally larger average size (1,294 teu versus 1,253 teu). Alphaliner has calculated the market share of each carrier offering regular intra-North Europe container services compared to a year ago.
Maersk again claims the second spot among the largest mainline operators (MLOs) in North Europe. The Danish line increased its capacity share to 16.2% (50,800 teu), up from 13.5% (39,800 teu) a year ago, a gain of 2.7%, the largest of any operator in the segment. The disproportionately high growth in capacity and market share again stems from the ‘hub and spoke’ concept that the carrier implemented last year with its ‘Gemini’ partner Hapag-Lloyd.
MSC remains firmly in pole position by deployed capacity. With a market share of 21.2% (21.3% a year ago), the Geneva-based carrier has gained 6.2% in capacity (versus 6.8% for the market as a whole), but still has the largest market share of all carriers in the intra-North European service segment.
DP World again claims the third spot in the league of intra-North Europe carriers, ahead of CMA CGM and X-Press Feeders. It recorded a market share of 11.0% compared to 12.2% a year ago. The UAE-based ports, shipping, and logistics giant in late 2025 dropped the well-known Unifeeder brand under the banner of which the group used to serve its intra-North Europe network.
CMA CGM is the only main line operator in the intra-North European segment to record a decline in both capacity and market share. The French carrier reduced capacity by 14.4%, from 35,300 teu to 30,200 teu, while its market share slipped from 12.0% to 9.6%, leaving it in fourth spot.
The Asian main liners invested further in intra-North Europe trading, and added 4,700 teu of capacity in the past twelve months.
Ocean Network Express (ONE) continued to build on last year’s momentum, climbing from ninth to seventh place. COSCO Group cemented its ninth spot among North Europe’s largest operators with a market share of 2.9% (2.5% a year ago).
Source: Alphaliner
