Top Ocean Carriers' Capacity Swelled 14 Percent in 2010

Jan 4 -- The top 20 container lines increased their operated capacity 14 percent over the last 12 months, as the strong recovery in freight volume led carriers to take on new tonnage over 2010, Alphaliner reported.

The total liner capacity of both cellular and non-cellular vessels grew 8.6 percent in 2010 to reach 14.8 million 20-foot equivalent units as of Jan. 1, 2011, according to the Paris-based information service.

The total cellular fleet stands at 4,849 ships with a nominal capacity of 14,270,000 TEUs, up 9.1 percent from January, 2010.

The total capacity of the fleet operated by the top 20 carriers reached 12.3 million TEUs compared to 10.8 million TEUs a year ago.

The overall share of the top 20 carriers as a percentage of the global liner fleet rose to 83 percent from 79 percent, as the large carriers’ capacity additions outpaced the overall increase in liner capacity.

Over the last year, the top 20 carriers have reduced their idled capacity from 740,000 TEUs, or 6.9 percent of their operated capacity as of Jan. 1, 2010 to only 136,000 TEUs currently, or 1.1 percent of their operated fleet.

Eighteen of the top 20 carriers increased their operated capacity, with only NYK and “K” Line logging a decline in the last 12 months, Alphaliner said.

Mediterranean Shipping Co., the second largest container line, recorded the largest increase in capacity over the last 12 months, adding 375,000 TEUs to its fleet, up 25 percent.

In relative terms, the strongest capacity increase was made by CSAV with a 74 percent growth in the last 12 months from 333,000 TEUs to 579,000 TEUs currently, Alphaliner said.

By contrast, the capacity of Maersk Line, the world’s largest carrier, increased a modest 5 percent in the 12-month period, while that of Evergreen, the fourth-largest carrier grew 8 percent.