A substantial newbuilding programme along with recent vessel deliveries has propelled Israeli-based ZIM Integrated Shipping Services ahead of Taiwan’s Yang Ming in the liner rankings.
ZIM’s fleet capacity now stands at 707,332 TEU, placing it in ninth in Alphaliner’s rankings of the world’s largest container shipping lines.
Alphaliner notes the difference in fleet capacities between the two carriers was just 314TEU as of 9 April 2024. Meanwhile, ZIM’s fleet consists of 131 ships, compared to Yang Ming’s 94.
Alphaliner’s report noted the significant differences in the composition of the two fleets. ZIM charters 95 per cent of its capacity, accounting for 122 ships, while Yang Ming maintains a balance between chartered vessels (59 per cent, 38 ships) and owned ships (41 per cent, 56 ships).
What sets the two carriers apart is Yang Ming’s restraint in recent years compared to ZIM’s aggressive fleet expansion. ZIM has doubled its capacity over the last three years, from 271,000 TEU in April 2020 to now over 700,000 TEU.
ZIM’s newbuilding programme includes a variety of LNG-powered vessels chartered in from Seaspan, Navios and MPC. The programme also features newbuildings from Seaspan and RCL. ZIM has 30 ships up for redelivery this year and another 37 in 2025.
Photo by Geir Vinnes, courtesy of shipspoting.com
