- Global container fleet capacity rose 7.3% year on year to 33.2 Mteu, adding 2.27 Mteu of slots.
- Most new capacity was deployed on Africa, Middle East–Indian Subcontinent, and Far East–Europe trades.
- Sub-Saharan Africa recorded the strongest year-on-year capacity growth at 27.3%.
- Far East–Europe remains the largest liner trade, accounting for 23.6% of global fleet capacity.
The global container fleet continued its rapid expansion over the past twelve months, with capacity increasing by 7.3% to reach 33.2 Mteu, according to Alphaliner’s analysis of fleet deployment. This growth represents the addition of 2.27 Mteu of slot capacity to the global fleet during the period.
Capacity Deployment Focused on Emerging and Core Trades
The majority of newly added capacity was absorbed by three key trade lanes. Middle East and Indian Subcontinent-related services accounted for 607,430 teu slots, followed closely by liner services to and from Sub-Saharan Africa with 575,410 teu. The Far East–Europe route also saw significant growth, adding 451,074 teu of capacity.
Accelerating Growth Across Key Routes
Earlier Alphaliner analysis covering the period from May 2024 to May 2025 had already identified these trades as the fastest growing. During that timeframe, African services expanded by 8.6%, Middle East and Indian Subcontinent services by 12%, and Far East–Europe services by 11.7%.
Six months later, growth has accelerated sharply. Sub-Saharan Africa recorded a 27.3% year-on-year increase in deployed capacity, while services to and from the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent expanded by 14.9%. Capacity on the Far East–Europe trade grew by 6.1% year on year.
Far East–Europe Retains Dominant Position
Despite slower growth relative to Africa and Middle East–ISC trades, the Far East–Europe corridor remains the single largest route in global liner shipping. The trade currently deploys 7.84 Mteu of capacity, representing 23.6% of the total global container fleet.
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Source: Alphaliner
