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 Heading? While the surge in capacity might seem like good news for rates, saturated shipyards and decarbonization costs are creating new complexities for 2026.

👉 [Read the Full 2026 Global Container Liner Capacity Review on STU Supply Chain] 



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