Oceania trade capacity on the Far East-Oceania route has expanded sharply over the past year, according to industry analysts Alphaliner.
The Far East-Oceania trade has seen a significant capacity expansion over the past twelve months, with total deployed slots increasing by about 84,000 teu or 12% to reach 811,141 teu as of 16 March 2026. This is double the global liner fleet growth of approximately 6% registered during the same period.
MSC recorded both the largest nominal and proportional increase in deployed tonnage over the past year, adding 29,478 teu, a 40% surge compared to its 2025 capacity.
This expansion, which brings MSC’s total slots in the route to 102,837 teu, was primarily fuelled by the introduction of the dedicated ChinaAustralia ‘Kangaroo’ service, utilizing five 2,500-8,000 teu units, and the extension of the China-Indonesia-Australia ‘Koala’ loop, which added a 4,000 teu vessel. These moves solidify MSC’s fourth place, with more than double the deployed capacity of ONE (47,215 teu) in fifth.
CMA CGM recorded the second-largest capacity growth of 23,000 teu (21%). This shift resulted in a rank reversal as the French carrier climbed to second place, narrowly overtaking Maersk.
In mid-March, the Danish operator slipped one spot with 131,693 teu, while CMA CGM expanded its footprint to 133,383 teu. This upward move was partly supported by the launch of the North AsiaPNG-Australia ‘APR2’ service, operated by CMA CGM’s Oceania specialist brand ANL. This fortnightly loop utilizes three vessels of 1,600-1,800 teu.
Maersk saw a more modest increase of approximately 11,000 teu, or 9%, compared to the previous year. This growth stemmed from the addition of two container ships into its existing Asia-Australia/New Zealand network.
China’s COSCO Group (including COSCO SHIPPING Lines and OOCL) continues to top the list with over 182,000 teu in operated slots as of mid-March this year. The group maintained its pole position by adding 15,000 teu, or a 9% year-on-year increase, stemming from the deployment of three additional units on its existing network. Its average vessel size remained essentially flat, decreasing slightly from 5,231 teu to 5,221 teu.
Source: Alphaliner
