The world’s top marine transportation companies include Compagnie Maritime d’Affrètement – Compagnie Générale Maritime, Hapag-Lloyd, Maersk, and China Merchant Group. These companies provide transportation solutions for their customers. They improve every year in response to industry demands.
According to Research and Markets, the global marine transportation sector was worth $545.04 billion in 2019 and will reach $668.5 billion by 2027. The sector has an annual growth rate of 2.7% from 2020 to 2027 and will produce over 90 million jobs in the next 10 years.
Overview of the Marine Transportation Field
The marine transportation sector is an important aspect of the global economy. It provides a means of transportation for goods, people, and resources. This sector has different activities like shipping, fishing, tourism, and research that support international trade, economic growth, and scientific exploration.
Marine transportation has various segments, which are liner shipping, tramp shipping, offshore support vessels, and naval defense. The field also faces different challenges like an increase in the demand for environmentally sustainable transportation, piracy, and terrorism. Notwithstanding, the industry keeps experiencing significant growth and providing new career paths.
Types of Marine Transportation Companies
Many marine transportation companies exist and have specific aspects they specialize in. Understanding the distinct roles of these types of companies is important for knowing the functioning of the maritime industry.
7 types of marine transportation companies:
Container shipping companies
Bulk shipping companies
Tanker companies
Ferry companies
Cruise lines
Tug and barge companies
Offshore vessel supply companies
1. Container shipping companies
Container shipping companies transport goods from one country to another. They offer door-to-door shipping services and have a fleet of container ships that carry thousands of standardized containers. These companies make transportation faster, cheaper, and more efficient.
2. Bulk shipping companies
Bulk shipping companies focus on transporting large quantities of raw materials like coal, iron ore, and grains. They use specialized vessels designed to carry bulk cargo. These ships are 350meters long and can carry over 400,000tons. Bulk shipping companies always operate under long-term contracts with mining companies and grain exporters. Additionally, they ensure a steady flow of cargo.
3. Tanker companies
Tanker companies transport liquids like oil using specialized tankers designed to transport these hazardous materials safely. These companies are essential to the global oil and gas industry because they transport crude oil and refined products from oil-producing countries to refineries and markets.
4. Ferry companies
Ferry companies offer transportation services for people and vehicles between islands or across a river. They operate on a fixed schedule and provide regular services. Ferry companies support countries by connecting remote communities and enabling the movement of people and goods.
5. Cruise Lines
Cruise lines offer vacation packages like transportation, accommodation, and entertainment on luxury cruise ships. They have many destinations and itineraries to cater to different preferences. These companies are significant in the tourism industry. They provide employment opportunities and generate revenue for local economies.
6. Tug and barge companies
Tug and barge provide transportation services for cargo that cannot fit into shipping containers. They offer a cost-effective way to transport large and heavy construction materials, machinery, and equipment.
7. Offshore supply vessel companies
Offshore supply vessel companies provide services to the offshore oil and gas industry. They transport personnel, equipment, and supplies to and from offshore drilling platforms. Additionally, they enable exploration and production in remote and harsh environments.
CMA CGM is a French container shipping company founded in 1978 with its headquarters in Marseille, France. CMA CGM offers a range of shipping and logistics services, which include container shipping, air cargo, and fleet-related operations. This company operates over 594 vessels in over 160 countries with 400 offices and 750 warehouses.
2. Hapag-Lloyd
Size: 14,200 employees
Market capitalization: $55.73 billion
CEO: Rolf Habben Jansen
Hapag-Lloyd is a German container shipping company established in 1970. They are the leading global liner shipping company with a vessel capacity of 1.8 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEU). Additionally, they have a container capacity of 3.0 million TEU, which includes one of the world’s largest and most modern container fleets. The company operates over 250 vessels and has a presence in over 100 countries, with its headquarters in Hamburg, Germany.
Maersk, founded in 1928 has its headquarters in Copenhagen, Denmark. It is a Danish container shipping company that operates container vessels, tankers, supply ships, special packages, APM terminals, and oil drilling rigs. They have over 700 vessels with outlets in over 130 countries.
4. China Merchants Group
Size: 230,000 employees
Market capitalization: $47 billion
CEO: Not public.
China Merchants Group, founded in 1872, has its headquarters in Hong Kong, China. It is also a Chinese state-owned company. They provide logistics services, which include freight forwarding, professional logistics, port transportation, and other services. The company has 12 subsidiaries in different business sectors.
5. De Sammensluttede Vognmnd (DSV) Panalpina
Size: 56,000 employees
Market capitalization: $40.22 billion
CEO: Jens Bjorn Andersen
Headquartered in Hedehusene, Denmark, and founded on July 13, 1976, DSV Panalpina Logistics Company provides services in the air, sea, road, and solutions segments. They also provide freight services in Europe, North America, and South Africa. They also operate in over 80 countries with offices and agents worldwide.
6. Kuehne + Nagel
Size: 78,000 employees
Market capitalization: $34.95 billion
CEO: Stefan Paul
Kuehne + Nagel was founded in 1890 and has its headquarters in Schindellegi, Switzerland.
It is a Swiss logistics company that provides freight forwarding and supply chain management services. The company’s total sea logistics volume is roughly 4.61 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs). They have over 1,300 outlets in over 100 countries.
7. Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC)
Size: 100,000 employees
Market capitalization: $34 billion
CEO: Diego Aponte
MSC is one of the top container shipping companies in the world, founded in 1970. They operate in the world’s major ports with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. It is a Swiss-Italian container shipping company that operates over 500 vessels. They offer transportation services and have a vast network of 600 offices in more than 150 countries.
8. COSCO Shipping
Size: privately held
Market capitalization: $24.96 billion
CEO: Li Jianhong
With headquarters in Shanghai, China, COSCO Shipping is a Chinese government company that provides container shipping, managing, and operating services. They also offer container terminals, container leasing, and international and domestic shipping services. It was founded in 1961, and they operate over 500 vessels in over 100 countries.
9. Evergreen Marine
Size: 10,496 employees
Market capitalization: $11.07 billion
CEO: Chang Kuo-wei
Evergreen Marine is a Taiwanese container shipping company that was founded in 1968. It operates over 200 vessels and has a presence in over 80 countries, with its headquarters in Taipei, Taiwan. They offer microcomputer-controlled reefer containers, slot charters, slot exchanges, joint services, container terminals, and e-commerce services. Additionally, they manufacture dry steel containers and offer storage, inspection, repair, cleaning, and maintenance services.
Yang Ming is a Taiwanese container shipping company in the marine transportation business. Founded in 1972, its headquarters is in Keelung, Taiwan. They operate over 100 vessels and work in over 70 countries.
11. Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM)
Size: 5,000 employees
Market capitalization: $7.71 billion
CEO: Jae-hoon Bae
HMM established in 1976, has its headquarters in Seoul, South Korea. They offer container transportation and shipping services. They focus on the transportation of strategic crude oil, iron ore, coal, and import and export goods on the domestic market. The company operates over 100 vessels and has outlets in over 120 countries.
12. Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL)
Size: 9,000 employees
Market capitalization: $7.5 billion
CEO: Takeshi Hashimoto
MOL was founded in 1964 and has its headquarters in Minato-ku, Tokyo. It is a Japanese maritime shipping company that provides marine transportation services. They operate over 850 vessels and have a presence in over 160 countries.
13. Wan Hai Lines
Size: 39,867 employees
Market capitalization: $7.46 billion
CEO: Chen Po-Teh
Wan Hai is a Taiwanese shipping company founded in 1965, its headquarter is in Taipei, Taiwan. The company operates terminals, container yards, and warehouses and provides shipping services through its fleet of vessels. They work with over 70 vessels and have a presence in over 60 countries.
14. Malaysia International Shipping Corporation Berhad (MISC)
Size: 8,800 employees
Market capitalization: $7.36 billion
CEO: Yee Yang Chien
MISC Berhad was founded in 1968 and has its headquarters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. This is a Malaysian shipping company that operates a fleet of tanker ships, container ships, and offshore vessels. They also provide offshore floating solutions and marine repair services. It is one of the world’s leading operators of LNG fleets, with 29 carriers.
15. Ocean Network Express (ONE)
Size: 14,000 employees
Market capitalization: $2.5 billion
CEO: Jeremy Nixon
Founded in 2017, ONE is a Japanese marine transportation company created through a joint venture between three Japanese shipping companies: K Line, MOL, and NYK. It has a fleet capacity of about 1.4 million TEU, making it the 7th largest fleet in the world. They have over 200 vessels and a presence in over 120 countries, with their headquarters in Singapore.
16. Zim Integrated Shipping Services
Size: 4,830 employees
Market capitalization: $2.34 billion
CEO: Eli Glickman
Zim is an Israeli container shipping company founded in 1945 with its headquarters in Haifa, Israel. They offer land transportation, logistical services, and specialized shipping solutions. They have over 80 vessels and operate in over 100 countries.
17. Matson, Inc.
Size: 4,290 employees
Market capitalization: $2.15 billion
CEO: Matthew Cox
Matson is an American shipping company that provides marine transportation services for domestic and international rail. Founded in 1882 with its headquarters in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. They operate fleets of container ships, tankers, and barges in the Pacific Ocean. The company has offices in Shanghai and Xiamen, China, and the United States.
18. Pacific International Lines (PIL)
Size: 18,000 employees
Market capitalization: $1.5 billion
CEO: Teo Siong Seng
Founded in 1967 and with its headquarters in Singapore, PIL is a Singapore-based shipping company. They offer liner containers, third-party logistics, port, and tracking services to customers worldwide. They operate over 120 vessels and have outlets in over 100 countries.
19. Crowley Maritime
Size: 5,300 employees
Market capitalization: privately held
CEO: Tom Crowley Jr.
Crowley Maritime is a U.S.-owned company founded in 1892, that operates maritime, energy, and logistics solutions. They have a fleet of over 200 vessels and offices in over 35 countries, with their headquarters in Jacksonville, Florida, USA.
Headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, the company was founded in 1976. UASC offers containerized and conventional cargo transportation, temperature-controlled cargo, and a global client base. They cover the Middle East, Europe, the Mediterranean, the Indian Subcontinent, the Far East, Australia, West Africa, and the Americas. The company operates over 50 vessels and has outlets in over 60 countries.
Name of company
Headquarters
Size (Number of employees)
Market Capitalization
CMA CGM
Marseille, France
155,000
$74 billion
Hapag-Lloyd
Hamburg, Germany
14,200
$55.73 billion
Maersk
Copenhagen, Denmark
110,000
$52 billion
China Merchants Group
Hong Kong, China
230,000
$47 billion
DSV Panalpina
Hedehusene, Denmark
56,000
$40.22 billion
Kuehne + Nagel
Schindellegi, Switzerland
78,000
$34.95 billion
Mediterranean Shipping Company
Geneva, Switzerland
100,000
$34 billion
COSCO Shipping
Shanghai, China
Privately held
$24.96 billion
Evergreen Marine
Taipei, Taiwan
10,496
$11.07 billion
Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation
Keelung, Taiwan
Privately held
$7.86 billion
Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM)
Seoul, South Korea
5,000
$7.71 billion
Mitsui O.S.K. Lines (MOL)
Minato-ku, Tokyo
9,000
$7.5 billion
Wan Hai Lines
Taipei, Taiwan.
39,867
$7.46 billion
Malaysia International Shipping Corporation Berhad (MISC)
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
8,800
$7.36 billion
Ocean Network Express (ONE)
Singapore.
14,000
$2.5 billion
Zim Integrated Shipping Services
Haifa, Israel
4,830
$2.34 billion
Matson Inc.
Honolulu, Hawaii, USA
4,290
$2.15 billion
Pacific International Lines (PIL)
Singapore
18,000
$1.5 billion
Crowley Maritime
Jacksonville, Florida, USA.
5,300
Privately held
United Arab Shipping Company (UASC)
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
3,266
Privately held
How to Get a Job Offer from Companies in the Marine Transportation Industry?
Securing a job offer in the marine transportation sector is a competitive process. However, having the right approach and preparation will increase your chances of landing a job.
5 steps to getting a job offer from companies in the marine transportation industry:
1. Research the industry and identify companies
The first thing to do is to research the marine transportation industry. Discover companies that match your career goals and values by looking at the company’s mission statement, values, and history. Doing this will help you target your job search and tailor your application materials to the particular company.
2. Obtain relevant certifications
Roles in the marine transportation industry need certifications or licenses like a captain’s license and a Merchant Mariner Credential. Getting certifications will increase your job prospects and make you a more competitive candidate.
3. Tailor Your CV/Resume and Cover Letter
When you know the company you want to work for, tailor your CV/resume and cover letter to that particular job and company. You can highlight relevant skills and experiences using industry-specific language. Taking the time to customize your application will help it stand out from the crowd and increase your chances of getting an invitation.
4. Consider internships or entry-level positions
For people who are just starting, you can look for internships or entry-level positions that can provide hands-on experience. It is an opportunity to build a network of industry contacts. Many companies offer internships or training programs for individuals without much industry experience. This will help you get a job offer faster.
5. Apply early and follow up
Many companies in the marine transportation industry have a hiring cycle. You must apply early and follow up on your application after a few weeks. These companies get job applications very often and delaying can cause yours to go unread.
What Companies in the Marine Transportation Industry Look For When Hiring?
Many available jobs in the sector requires specific qualifications. Companies in the marine transportation industry seek to employ individuals who have relevant skills and qualities that will contribute to their success.
The 5 most important criteria marine transportation companies look for before hiring:
1. Relevant education or experience
Companies prefer individuals who have relevant work experience in the industry. They also employ people with specialized knowledge and education, like a degree in marine engineering, maritime law, or logistics management.
2. Language skills
The marine transportation sector is a global industry. Employers seek candidates who can speak multiple languages fluently. Many companies that work with clients or suppliers in non-English-speaking countries need this more.
3. Technology skills
Technology is an important aspect of the marine transportation industry. Hirers want individuals who have experience with software, hardware, and other technology tools relevant to the industry.
4. Problem-solving skills
Given the quick-paced nature of the maritime transportation sector, employers will always employ individuals who have problem-solving skills. Employees in this sector must be able to analyze multifaceted situations, identify probable risks, and come up with practical solutions to minimize the effect of difficulties.
5. Commitment to safety
Every marine transportation company prioritizes safety. Employers prefer candidates who understand, maintain a safe working environment, and adhere to industry regulations and best practices. They want people who know about firefighting, survival techniques, and emergency response procedures. Some companies seek applicants with relevant safety certifications, like Basic Safety Training (BST) or Personal Survival Techniques (PST).
What are examples of Marine Transportation?
Cargo, cruise, tankers, ferries, tugboats, barges, fishing boats, oil rigs, and naval and research vessels are examples of marine transportation.
What is the biggest Marine Transportation company?
Maersk is the biggest marine transportation company. The company has the highest number of fleets.
Conclusion: What Companies are in the Marine Transportation Field? | Top 20 Companies
The top 20 companies in the marine transportation industry are the largest and most influential in the global economy. Altogether, they have a market capitalization of over $250 billion. They employ tens of thousands of people around the world. These businesses will be essential in determining the course of the industry as it develops and encounters new difficulties.
