CMA CGM sees moderate FY growth in container shipping worldwide

CMA CGM sees moderate FY growth in container shipping worldwide

CMA CGM reported significant growth in the intra-Mediterranean container shipping segment during the 2025 fiscal year, driven by a 26% year-on-year increase in deployed capacity. The carrier's market share in the region rose to 23.1%, up from 17.9%, with 124,300 TEU capacity supported by 77 vessels—18 more than the prior year according to CMA CGM's reports. This expansion positioned CMA CGM as the second-largest mainline operator (MLO) in the Mediterranean, trailing only MSC, which holds 26.6% market share. Meanwhile, A.P. Moller - Maersk entered the top three with a 10.6% share, bolstered by a 15% capacity increase.

Industry analysis highlights a broader trend of diverging strategies among global carriers. While CMA CGM and Maersk prioritize scale, COSCO SHIPPING and EVERGREEN LINE achieved EBITDA margins exceeding 30%, underscoring the importance of operational efficiency. ZIM Integrated Shipping Services, despite low volume, maintained the highest average freight rate per TEU at $1,602. Maritime Analytica noted that the gap between revenue-driven and efficiency-focused carriers is widening, with profitability increasingly tied to disciplined cost management.

Intra-Mediterranean capacity overall declined by 2.7% year-on-year as carriers redeployed assets to other trade routes. CMA CGM's strategic capacity injection contrasts with this trend, reflecting its focus on regional market consolidation. The carrier's performance aligns with broader industry dynamics where operational agility and route-specific strategies are reshaping competitive positioning.