A.P. Møller – Mærsk A/S - statistics & facts
It all started with a steamship named Laura. When Danish seafarer Peter Maersk-Møller purchased it in 1886, he set in motion a family legacy that would grow into a global shipping and logistics powerhouse. Once known solely for container shipping, 1904-founded Maersk is now recognized as a multifaceted logistics leader, operating the world’s second-largest liner fleet across more than 130 countries. Over a century of reinvention has positioned Maersk to anticipate and shape global trade flows amid ongoing geopolitical, technological, and sustainability challenges.
Maersk’s container fleet, now over 700 vessels with a total capacity exceeding 4 million TEU, remains pivotal in moving roughly one-seventh of the world’s containerized goods. Maersk’s fleet ranked second only to Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), ahead of rivals CMA CGM and COSCO.
In April 2025, Maersk reached a major milestone by purchasing the Panama Canal Railway Company, strengthening its end-to-end logistics capabilities and linking Atlantic and Pacific trade flows. This move also saw Maersk undercut U.S. presence along a strategic trade corridor where Washington seeks to outmaneuver rival powers. Earlier that year, Maersk also formed a partnership with Hapag-Lloyd named Gemini Cooperation, with the goal of integrating 340 vessels into a shared network with increased schedule reliability.
As global trade continues facing unprecedented uncertainty, Maersk’s century-old legacy of reinvention remains its key advantage, positioning it to navigate industry headwinds and lead the next era of global trade.
Revenues rise amid strategic purchases & joint ventures
Despite ongoing Red Sea and Suez Canal disruptions, the Copenhagen-based titan grew in every segment and improved profitability in 2024. to over 55.4 billion U.S. dollars, up from the previous year but still below 2022’s peak of 81.5 billion. The company’s earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) rose by 65 percent to 6.5 billion dollars, fueled by high container demand and freight rates, robust logistics performance, and terminal revenue growth.Maersk’s container fleet, now over 700 vessels with a total capacity exceeding 4 million TEU, remains pivotal in moving roughly one-seventh of the world’s containerized goods. Maersk’s fleet ranked second only to Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), ahead of rivals CMA CGM and COSCO.
In April 2025, Maersk reached a major milestone by purchasing the Panama Canal Railway Company, strengthening its end-to-end logistics capabilities and linking Atlantic and Pacific trade flows. This move also saw Maersk undercut U.S. presence along a strategic trade corridor where Washington seeks to outmaneuver rival powers. Earlier that year, Maersk also formed a partnership with Hapag-Lloyd named Gemini Cooperation, with the goal of integrating 340 vessels into a shared network with increased schedule reliability.
From sea to software: steering toward smart logistics
Maersk’s trajectory is defined by ongoing digitization, guided by its goal of evolving from a shipping colossus into a global logistics integrator. To this end, the company has been rolling out a host of initiatives such as its partnership with Inmarsat Maritime to boost satellite communications across its fleet. In June 2025, the sea freight leader also launched the Maersk Trade & Tariff Studio, a real-time, AI-driven platform that enables cargo owners to respond quickly to tariff volatility. In addition to these moves, Maersk's recognition as a leader in the 2025 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Third-Party Logistics for the fourth year in a row cemented its reputation at the intersection of logistics expertise and technology transformation.As global trade continues facing unprecedented uncertainty, Maersk’s century-old legacy of reinvention remains its key advantage, positioning it to navigate industry headwinds and lead the next era of global trade.
