CMA CGM is on course to overtake Maersk as the world's second-largest container carrier by the end of 2027, according to comments from group chairman and CEO Rodolphe Saade reported by French daily Les Echos. Saade expects the Marseille-based carrier to move ahead of its Danish rival within roughly 18 months, though Linerlytica data suggests the switch could come as early as July 2027.

The shift reflects diverging strategies rather than a single event. MSC has already pulled clear at the top of the rankings at around 7.3m teu, while Maersk has held fleet growth flat and leaned into integrated logistics. CMA CGM, at roughly 4.4m teu against Maersk's 4.7m teu, has kept adding capacity aggressively alongside terminals, logistics, air cargo and media.

Analysts including Sea-Intelligence's Alan Murphy note Maersk has consciously chosen not to defend the number-two slot, betting that a leaner fleet tied to logistics will deliver better returns as the market heads into a delivery-heavy, likely softer cycle.

Source: Les Echos; data via Alphaliner and Linerlytica.

é reported by French daily Les Echos. Saadé expects the Marseille-based carrier to move ahead of its Danish rival within roughly 18 months, though Linerlytica data suggests the switch could come as early as July 2027.

The shift reflects diverging strategies rather than a single event. MSC has already pulled clear at the top of the rankings at around 7.3m teu, while Maersk has held fleet growth flat and leaned into integrated logistics. CMA CGM, at roughly 4.4m teu against Maersk's 4.7m teu, has kept adding capacity aggressively alongside terminals, logistics, air cargo and media.

Analysts including Sea-Intelligence's Alan Murphy note Maersk has consciously chosen not to defend the number-two slot, betting that a leaner fleet tied to logistics will deliver better returns as the market heads into a delivery-heavy, likely softer cycle.

Source: Splash247 / Les Echos; data via Alphaliner and Linerlytica.