Global Maritime Companies Ranking by
CO2 Emissions (WtW)
Discover the world's largest shipping companies ranked by CO2 emissions (WtW), updated for 2025. Our comprehensive analysis covers major global carriers and their CO2 emissions.
Total Companies Analyzed
180
Combined Fleet Size
12.000+
Global TEU Capacity
120M+
Top 3 Maritime Companies with the highest CO2 emissions (WtW)
The podium below showcases the three largest shipping companies globally based on CO2 emissions (Well-to-Wake). These industry leaders represent the companies with the highest environmental impact in terms of carbon emissions.
2
CMA CGM
France
80,266
tonnes CO2
1
MSC
Switzerland
191,368
tonnes CO2
3
ONE
Japan
32,733
tonnes CO2
1
MSC
Switzerland
191,368
tonnes CO2
2
CMA CGM
France
80,266
tonnes CO2
3
ONE
Japan
32,733
tonnes CO2
Understanding Maritime Rankings
Key Ranking Criteria
CO2 Emissions (WtW)
Primary FactorCO2 emissions (WtW) is the central metric in our ranking system. It refers to the total CO2 emissions of a company. This factor best represents operational capacity, shipping network reach, and investment scale. A larger fleet not only increases route flexibility but also enhances reliability, resilience, and service frequency across global trade lanes.
Our Methodology
01
Data Collection
The ranking process begins with data collection, gathering verified information from company financial reports, maritime industry associations, and trusted shipping databases.
02
Verification
Once collected, every data point undergoes a verification process where it is cross-referenced with multiple independent sources to confirm accuracy.
03
Analysis
The next stage is analysis, where companies are ranked mainly by CO2 emissions (WtW). Secondary consideration is given to TEU capacity and overall shipping volume, offering a broader understanding of each company's logistical capabilities.
04
Quarterly Updates
Finally, our rankings are updated quarterly, ensuring they reflect the latest changes, including new vessel acquisitions, fleet reductions, mergers, and operational shifts.
Why CO2 Emissions (WtW) Matters in Shipping Rankings
CO2 emissions (WtW) is more than a number—it indicates strategic commitment, investment capacity, and global competitiveness.
Operational Efficiency
CO2 emissions (WtW) is a key indicator of a company's operational efficiency and environmental responsibility.
Environmental Responsibility
CO2 emissions (WtW) is a key indicator of a company's environmental responsibility and sustainability efforts.
Global Reach
CO2 emissions (WtW) is a key indicator of a company's global reach and its ability to operate across different regions and trade lanes.
Global Maritime Companies Ranking by CO2 Emissions (WtW)
The comprehensive table below ranks the world's leading maritime shipping companies based on their CO2 emissions (Well-to-Wake). Additional metrics such as vessel count, distance traveled, and total voyages provide further context on each company's environmental impact.
| Rank | Company | CO2 Emissions (tonnes) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | | 191,368 |
| 2 | | 80,266 |
| 3 | | 32,733 |
| 4 |  | 28,555 |
| 5 |  | 23,864 |
| 6 |  | 21,342 |
| 7 |  | 20,679 |
| 8 |  | 14,500 |
| 9 |  | 13,606 |
| 10 |  | 12,933 |
| 11 |  | 25,522 |
| 12 |  | 2,857 |
| 13 |  | 602 |
Perspectives de l’industrie maritime mondiale
Taille du marché maritime mondial par segment
Transport en conteneurs$180B
Vraquiers$110B
Pétroliers$95B
Autres segments$75B
Source: Organisation maritime internationale, 2025
Tendances de croissance du secteur
Taux de croissance annuel de la flotte4,2%
La flotte mondiale continue de croître, avec un taux moyen annuel de 4,2 % sur les cinq dernières années.
Volume du commerce conteneurisé+5,8%
Le volume mondial a augmenté de 5,8 % sur un an pour atteindre 180 millions d’EVP.
Consolidation du secteurTop 10: 85%
Les 10 premières compagnies contrôlent désormais 85 % de la capacité conteneurs mondiale, contre 74 % il y a cinq ans.
Source: World Shipping Council, 2025
Répartition régionale et leadership dans le transport maritime mondial
Domination Asie-Pacifique
La région Asie-Pacifique domine le secteur maritime, les entreprises de Chine, du Japon, de Corée du Sud et de Taïwan représentant plus de 60 % des 20 premières compagnies par flotte.
- COSCO Shipping (Chine) a augmenté sa flotte de 15 % cette année, portée par la forte demande commerciale
- Cette force régionale reflète le rôle de l’Asie comme centre de la fabrication mondiale et du commerce maritime
Tradition maritime européenne
Les compagnies européennes demeurent des acteurs majeurs du secteur:
- Des pays comme la Suisse, le Danemark, l’Allemagne et la France figurent largement dans le top 10 mondial.
- MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company), basée en Suisse, a dépassé Maersk pour devenir la première compagnie conteneurs mondiale, soulignant la présence stratégique continue de l’Europe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are maritime companies ranked in this list?
Companies are ranked primarily by CO2 emissions (WtW), with secondary metrics such as vessel count, distance traveled, and total voyages.
How often is the maritime companies ranking updated?
Rankings are updated quarterly to reflect fleet changes, mergers, acquisitions, and market trends.
What is CO2 emissions (WtW) and why is it important in shipping?
CO2 emissions (WtW) is a key indicator of a company's environmental responsibility and sustainability efforts.
Why has MSC overtaken Maersk as the world's largest shipping company?
MSC has aggressively expanded its fleet and market reach, overtaking Maersk by number of vessels and TEU capacity in recent years.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected maritime shipping rankings?
COVID-19 led to temporary disruptions, but also accelerated digitalization and fleet realignments, influencing ranking dynamics post-2021.
What role do alliances play in the maritime shipping industry?
Strategic alliances (2M, THE Alliance, Ocean Alliance, and others) allow carriers to optimize routes, share capacity, and enhance global service coverage.