Singapore-based X-Press Feeders has widened its lead over Unifeeder in operated fleet capacity, marking a notable shift in the global feeder shipping landscape. According to Alphaliner’s Top 100, X-Press Feeders (ranked 13th) has expanded its operated fleet by 13% (22,500 TEU) since September 2024, outpacing both Unifeeder and the global liner fleet growth rate.
X-Press Feeders Surges Ahead in Global Trade Expansion
X-Press Feeders’ capacity growth has significantly exceeded the industry average, with the global liner fleet expanding by just 8% over the same period. The carrier’s strongest performance was recorded in Latin America (LatAm) and the Middle East/Indian Subcontinent (ME/ISC) regions.
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In LatAm, capacity jumped by 53% (9,200 TEU) compared to September 2024.
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In the ME/ISC trade, X-Press Feeders grew by 8% (8,700 TEU).
This strategic regional expansion highlights X-Press Feeders’ agility in responding to shifting trade dynamics and capitalizing on emerging market demand.
Unifeeder Records Slower, Europe-Centric Growth
In contrast, Unifeeder (ranked 15th) saw a modest 9% increase (12,500 TEU) in its operated slots. The majority of this growth stemmed from the intra-Europe trade, particularly through its intra-Mediterranean affiliate, Unimed Feeder Services (UFS).
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UFS added ten vessels, contributing 9,700 TEU of new capacity.
Despite steady progress, Unifeeder’s growth rate has slowed, reflecting the cooling effects of last year’s surge, which was largely driven by the Red Sea crisis that diverted traffic from the Suez Canal and boosted demand for third-party feeder services.
Both X-Press Feeders and Unifeeder have scaled back their growth pace following the exceptional demand spikes of 2024. However, X-Press Feeders’ strategic focus on Latin America and the ME/ISC regions has firmly cemented its leadership position, expanding its capacity faster than competitors and reinforcing its role as the world’s largest independent common carrier feeder operator.
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Source: Alphaliner
