According to the Market Statsville Group (MSG), the global container shipping market size is expected to grow around USD 15,451.4 million by 2033, at a CAGR of 4.1% from 2023 to 2033.

Container shipping is transporting goods from one location to another using container. Contrary to standard shipping, container shipping loads, transports, and unloads products and items using containers of various standard sizes. Containers can therefore be transported via trucks, ships, and trains. Due to increased trade agreements between countries, the industry is expanding rapidly due to increased maritime shipping. Most container shipping is made in accordance with the International Organization for Standardization's (ISO's) criteria, primarily to facilitate easy loading and unloading and to ensure that the container will maintain structural integrity while being transported in harsh locations.

COVID-19 Impact on the Global Container Shipping Market

The COVID-19 outbreak that began at the start of 2020 had a detrimental effect on the market's expansion. To minimize the spread of the disease, the pandemic forced many nations into lockdown, which decreased demand for non-essential consumer products, especially in the second and third quarters of 2020. Furthermore, China was the COVID-19 hub in the first quarter of 2020. So, some nations stopped doing business with China in order to stop the spread of the disease. In Q1 2020, trade between the United States and China decreased, and trade between China and European nations also witnessed a significant downfall.

However, industries such as FMCG, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals have witnessed significant traction for container shipping. China, a major exporter of consumer products globally, saw its exports fall in 2020 due to COVID-19, which substantially influenced the need for container shipping. Rapid vaccination, on the other hand, is anticipated to boost consumer demand beginning in 2021, benefiting the industry for a shorter amount of time.

Scope of the Global Container Shipping Market

The study categorizes the container shipping market based on size, type, and application at the regional and global levels.

By Size Outlook (Sales, USD Billion, 2019-2033)

• Small Containers
• Large Containers
• High Cube Containers

By Type Outlook (Sales, USD Billion, 2019-2033)

• General Container Shipping
• Reefer Container Shipping    

By Application Outlook (Sales, USD Billion, 2019-2033)

• Food & Beverages
• Consumer Goods
• Healthcare
• Industrial Products
• Vehicle Transport
• Others

By Region Outlook (Sales, USD Billion, 2019-2033)

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • France
  • UK
  • Spain
  • Poland
  • Russia
  • The Netherlands
  • Norway
  • Czech Republic
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Indonesia
  • Malaysia
  • Thailand
  • Singapore
  • Australia & New Zealand
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Colombia
  • Rest of South America
• The Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • South Africa
  • Northern Africa
  • Rest of MEA

Food & Beverage Shipping segment accounts for the largest market share during the forecast period by Application

Based on application, the market is segmented into food & beverages, consumer goods, healthcare, industrial products, vehicle transport, and others. Food & beverages is accounted for the highest market share in 2022. The primary use of container shipping in the food transport application segment is for the transportation of food and drink products like vinegar, pulses, vegetable oils, alcohols and spirits, food ingredients, as well as canned, dried, and frozen fruits, sauces, jams, and jellies, condiments, prepared/preserved seafood, and snacks. Perishable food and drinks decay quickly in high humidity or low temperatures. Due to this, the use of reefer containers is crucial while transporting these foods and beverages. In the upcoming years, it is anticipated that a steady increase in the worldwide commerce of agricultural products and processed foods will promote the expansion of the food transport business.

Asia Pacific is projected to account for the largest market share, by Region

Based on the regions, the global container shipping market has been segmented across North America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, South America, and the Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific will dominate the global container shipping market in 2022. The top three nations that manufacture ships are China, South Korea, and Japan. Additionally, it is anticipated that significant export volumes, intraregional commerce, and rising manufacturing activity, particularly in these nations, will further drive market expansion. It is also anticipated that developments in ASEAN nations will continue to be a major driving force behind the Asia Pacific shipping container market expansion. However, the COVID-19 epidemic caused a reduction in regional trade, which in turn decreased demand for shipping containers in 2020.

Key Market Players in the Global Container Shipping Market

The global container shipping market is fiercely competitive, and major market participants are using a variety of tactics to get an advantage over rivals, including product development, alliances, partnerships, acquisitions, and growth. Most market businesses concentrate on growing operations globally, improving their capabilities, and cultivating solid partner relationships.

Major players in the global container shipping market are:

• Bulkhaul Limited
• Bertschi AG
• BNH Gas Tanks
• Danteco Industries BV
• NewPort Tank
• A.P. Moller - Maersk
• China International Marine Containers (Group) Ltd
• COSCO SHIPPING Development Co., Ltd.
• CXIC Group
• Singamas Container Holdings Limited
• TLS Offshore Containers/TLS Special Containers
• W&K Containers, Inc.
• Thurston Group Limited
• OEG
• Sea Box, Inc.
• IWES LTD.
• Norcomp Nordic AB

Key Issues Addressed

• What is the market size by various segmentation of the container shipping by region and its respective countries?
• What are the customer buying behavior, key takeaways, and Porter's 5 forces of the container shipping market?
• What are the key opportunities and trends for manufacturers involved in the container shipping supply chain?
• What are the fundamental dynamics (drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges) of the market?
• What and how regulations, schemes, patents, and policies are impacting the growth of the market?
• What are the upcoming technological solutions influencing market trends? How will existing companies adapt to the new change in technology?
• The market player positioning, top winning strategies by years, company product developments, and launches will be?
• How has COVID-19 impacted the demand and sales of container shipping in the global market? Also, the expected BPS drop or rise count of the market and market predicted recovery period.
• Detailed analysis of the competitors and their latest launch, and what are the prominent startups introduced in the target market? Also, detailed company profiling of 25+ leading and prominent companies in the market.