A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) has announced a major expansion of its intra-Asian service network, adding over 100,000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) in capacity over the past twelve months, according to Hansa.news Global. This strategic increase brings Maersk’s intra-Asian capacity to 298,134 TEU, positioning the company as a key competitor in the region.
Hansa noted that the expansion, a more than one-third increase in Maersk’s intra-Asian network, narrows the gap with regional market leader Cosco. According to industry data from Alphaliner, Cosco currently holds a narrow lead with 300,491 TEU in the region.
This significant growth is supported by Maersk’s new Gemini alliance with partner Hapag-Lloyd. The alliance, which operates on a “hub and spoke” model, has enabled both companies to strategically deploy more regional feeders in Asia. Maersk’s average vessel capacity in the region is now 2,981 TEU, while Hapag-Lloyd’s has grown by 97% year-on-year to an average of 2,909 TEU per vessel.
The intra-Asian market has seen robust overall growth, with total volume increasing by 13% year-on-year to 2.4 million TEU. The top 20 largest container shipping companies collectively account for 87% of this freight volume, highlighting the importance of major players in the market.
While Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have shown strong growth, other companies have also expanded their fleets. Pacific International Line recorded the strongest percentage growth with a 116% increase, and Evergreen and CMA CGM each added approximately 30,000 TEU to their fleets.
Maersk’s expansion in Asia underscores its commitment to strengthening its global network and meeting the growing demands of its customers in this critical trade region.
