Shipping in 2026: Is Your Supply Chain Ready for the New "Fleet War"?
Introduction: As we enter 2026, the global shipping landscape has undergone a seismic shift. With vessel deliveries hitting record highs and alliances restructuring, many importers are asking: Will shipping costs drop, or are we heading toward structural overcapacity? The Knowledge Gap: Many businesses only look at current freight rates, but the real key to long-term strategy lies in Total Operational Capacity . According to the latest Alphaliner data for January 2026, the global fleet now stands at 7,498 ships, totaling 33.69 million TEU. Why You Should Care About the 2026 Rankings: Knowing who controls the sea is vital for your logistics stability. Our latest deep dive reveals: The MSC Dominance: MSC has widened its lead over Maersk by over 2.5 million TEU. The Orderbook Surge: New orders in 2025 hit a record 5.1 million TEU, which will start hitting the water this year. Market Concentration: The Top 10 liners now control 84.1% of the global market. Where is the Market He...