Global Containership Insights: January 2026

29 January 2026 MDS Transmodal Ltd 

Global scheduled container capacity reached 21.37 million TEU in January 2026, up 0.3% month-on-month and 7.0% year-on-year. Growth was driven by the intra-Far East trade corridor, which accounted for 22.4% of total capacity, supported by vessel deliveries and redeployments.

Although Suez transits have remained largely limited to ad-hoc sailings, the Ocean Alliance has signalled a shift by reinstating two Far East–North Europe/Mediterranean services via the Canal from January 2026.

Snapshot:

• Global fleet capacity: 31.9m TEU

• Global scheduled capacity: 21.4m TEU

• Fleet on order: 10.3m TEU

Major shipping lines: Top trade corridors

Monthly scheduled capacity continues to be shaped by a small number of major corridors.

Capacity rose sharply on Europe & Mediterranean – Gulf & ISC – Far East, while Europe & Mediterranean – Far East recorded a –9.7% month-on-month decline. Overall deployment continues to increase steadily, reflecting ongoing redeployment decisions by the main liner operators.

The largest year-on-year increase in both the Intra-Asia and Intra-Europe & Mediterranean trades has come from Maersk, reflecting an expanded service offering linked to its involvement in the Gemini Cooperation alongside Hapag-Lloyd, launched in April 2025.

CMA-CGM and MSC recorded the most rapid year-on-year growth on the Gulf & ISC – Far East trade lane. This was driven by the deployment of larger vessels on selected services. For example, MSC’s Clanga service saw its average ship size increase from 4,400 TEU to 13,500 TEU year-on-year.

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