Are you curious about the top 8 shipping companies around the world? If so, you’re not alone, as many people want to know about the companies that make shipping possible. As you know, world trade happens through the ocean. Large ships carry containers from one country to another across oceans and seas.
The shipping companies handle this transportation logistics through the vessels. It is no mistake to say that world ocean transport would be impossible without these shipping companies. Some shipping companies are newer and smaller, while others are larger and consist of many ships and containers. In this article, I will discuss 8 of the best shipping companies.
8 Shipping Companies Around the World
It is worth noting that there are different types of shipping companies available. Some specialize in transporting large numbers of containers. In contrast, some companies handle only courier services and parcels between countries. Here is the list of popular shipping companies:
- Freight Forwarders
- Courier & Logistics Companies
- Container Shipping Companies
Each of these shipping companies is equally important as they connect the world. Containers and courier companies generally have their own containers, ships, and vessels. Conversely, freight forwarders don’t own their own ships. They are only responsible for sending the parcels or cargo through other ships. However, they keep a check on these logistics during transportation. In other words, they are responsible for ensuring everything reaches its destination safely.
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1- A.P. Moller – Maersk
Maersk is one of the oldest shipping companies, founded on 16 April 1904. It is located and headquartered in Esplanaden, Denmark. In terms of origin, Arnold Peter Møller and his father, Peter Mærsk Møller, founded this brand. This shipping company grew slowly and steadily.
Currently, this company has over 700 containers, which help keep the shipping service running smoothly. Maersk operates worldwide, so you can send your cargo and logistics to any part of the world. Not only this, but this shipping company also has terminals in around 35 countries, which is another advantage. This brand has over 100,000 employees who work at terminals, making shipping possible.
2- CMA CGM
Unlike Maersk, CMA CGM is not very old. Instead, it was founded on 13 September 1978 in France by Jacques R. Saadé. However, this brand achieved rapid success due to its dedication to providing value to customers. Having around 1000 warehouses is what makes CMA CGM stand out in the logistics sector.
Apart from containers and ships, this brand also has ferries, making the transportation of goods effortless. Customers can directly visit their office for logistics, as they have offices in around 400 locations. Their 650 vessels are always active, ensuring the goods reach their destinations quickly. Although this company is based in France, its services are widespread around the globe.
3- MSC
MSC stands for “Mediterranean Shipping Company” and has been operating since 1970. It was founded by Gianluigi Aponte and his wife (Rafaela Aponte-Diamant). They bought their first ship in 1970 and began their journey. Initially, their ship used to transport between the Mediterranean and Somalia. Later, they bought a second ship and started expanding their venture.
By the end of the 1970s, they had started their shipping line in northern Europe, Africa, and the Indian Ocean. The headquarters of this shipping company is located in Champel, Geneva, Switzerland. This brand kept growing, and it also entered the cruise business by 1988. However, this company has been dominating marine transportation for years.
In 2014, Diego Aponte (son of Gianluigi Aponte) became president, carrying on his father’s legacy. In June 2015, MSC also signed a vessel-sharing agreement with Maersk, especially for the Asia and Europe markets. This is considered a breakthrough in the shipping business. This helps many customers ship their goods and manage logistics with ease. As of 2025, this shipping company has over 200,000 employees, indicating its growth.
4- Hapag-Lloyd Container Line (HPL)
Hapag-Lloyd is a well-known international shipping company. It specializes in container transportation worldwide. It is currently based in Hamburg, Germany. Interestingly, this company’s existence results from the merger of two companies. On 1 September 1970, two companies merged. This merger resulted in the establishment of Hapag-Lloyd Container Line (HPL).
These companies were Hamburg-American Line (HAPAG), established in 1847. Another company was Norddeutscher Lloyd, founded in 1857. This means both of these companies had more than a century of experience. This merger gave the maritime industry a new brand that continues to operate to date.
It’s fair to say that Hapag-Lloyd is a pioneer in container transportation worldwide. This marine shipping company has a large number of container ships. Additionally, they serve Europe, Asia, America, and the list goes on. Interestingly, the brand also acquired many other small shipping companies. This acquisition made this company even more stable and profitable.
5- Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM)
Hanjin Shipping is one of the major shipping companies in Korea. Unfortunately, this company went bankrupt in 2016. That’s where the HMM got the opportunity to fill the space created by the exit of Hanjin Shipping. Remember, HMM was not a new company at that time. Instead, it was founded back on 25 March, 1976.
Earlier, it competed with Hanjin Shipping. However, after Hanjin Shipping’s bankruptcy, this brand became very popular in Korea. In the 1980s, this company was moderately popular, and it also expanded by buying cruise ships. These include Hyundai Kumgang and Hyundai Pongnae. This company has containers, ships, LNGs, and more. One of the standout aspects of this marine shipping company is its fleet of oil tankers.
6- Evergreen Marine Corporation (EMC)
Are you looking for an affordable, reliable shipping company? If so, EMC can be a perfect fit for you. Why? The reason is that this shipping company offers logistics services at very affordable prices. This brand was established in 1968, with the first vessel purchased that year. Later, they also bought another vessel in 1969, specifically for Middle East services.
In the 1970s, they launched many other vessels to service East Asia and Central America. However, this company has faced different accidents and failures throughout its journey. Because of this, it is not very demanding, so they transport the materials at very affordable prices. The headquarters of Evergreen Marine Corporation (EMC) is located in Taoyuan, Taiwan.
7- Yang Ming Marine Transport Corporation
Yang Ming is another Taiwanese container shipping company that has been operating since 1972. Founded by Lee Hong-Chung, this company has stayed consistent throughout its journey. This shipping company has strong support from the Chinese government. This support is vital and contributes to its success. It has service centers in over 80 countries, which sets it apart.
They have a total of 99 vessels that provide container shipping services worldwide. The headquarters of Yang Ming Company is located in Keelung, Taiwan. However, you can contact this brand if you’re in Asia, Europe, Africa, Australia, or America. When it comes to shipping costs, Yang Ming stands out. Many customers praise this company for its affordable prices and reliable shipping.
8- APL
APL (American President Lines) is another of the oldest shipping companies based in the USA. It was founded in 1848 in New York City and continues to make significant contributions to maritime shipping. What makes APL unique is its partnership with the US government. Founded by William Henry Aspinwall, it also transports military equipment for US forces.
It has a large number of containers, ships, and cargo vessels. These vessels are used to transport logistics around the world. Despite having many goods, I don’t recommend choosing APL for your goods transportation. That’s because this shipping company has higher shipping costs, which is a disadvantage. However, if you’re in America and prefer American services, you can choose this shipping company.
Preguntas frecuentes
What are shipping companies?
Shipping companies handle the transportation of goods and containers, as well as logistics. They ensure smooth shipping, both domestically and internationally. They generally use ships and other vessels to safely transport cargo across oceans.
Which is the largest shipping company in the world?
Arguably, Maersk and MSC are two of the largest brands operating worldwide. Their vessels are always active, ensuring the safe transportation of logistics. Maersk also contracts with many other companies for transporting their goods around the globe.
How do shipping companies charge for their services?
Typically, shipping companies charge based on the weight or volume of the cargo. If the logistics weight is higher, the shipping charges will be higher, and vice versa. Additionally, shipping charges are calculated based on the distance to the location where the logistics are to be shipped.
Conclusión
In short, a large number of shipping companies serve worldwide. However, some of these are restricted in the types of logistics they support. Others have demographic limitations or higher pricing. That’s where choosing the right shipping company can be very difficult. This is even more difficult if you’re choosing a container shipping company for the first time.
That’s why I decided to write a detailed guide on the top 8 best shipping corporations operating worldwide. Remember, the marine shipping companies mentioned above are equally good. If you’re still confused, I recommend choosing either Maersk or MSC. Choosing either of these two won’t make you regret it. However, if you have a limited budget, EMC can be a very good choice as well.