MSC becomes first liner to amass fleet of 1,000 container ships

MSC’s fleet has reached its 1,000th vessel, according to data from Hong Kong-based consultancy Linerlytica.

Privately held, Aponte family-owned MSC hit the fleet total with the delivery of 11,480 TEU MSC Migsan from Zhoushan Changhong shipyard in China, Linerlytica said.

Founded in 1970 by Captain Gianluigi Aponte, MSC overtook Danish container shipping giant Maersk in 2022 as the largest ocean carrier by operated ship capacity. At the time, MSC’s fleet of box ships stood at 645 vessels, with a total capacity of 4,284,728 TEU and a global market share of 17%.

MSC’s operated fleet is currently 57% larger than Maersk’s, standing at more than 7M TEU, according to reports. As of November 2025, Alphaliner recorded MSC’s fleet at 955 vessels, with a 21% global market share, and an orderbook of 124 newbuildings, so the liner’s record tally will continue to grow.

While MSC grew steadily and organically in its first five decades through the phase-in of large newbuild container vessels, Alphaliner said, the analysts noted that since 2020 the company has also compounded its growth with the rapid acquisition of secondhand container vessels in "an unprecedented" buying spree.

Alphaliner commented in 2022 that “Contrary to most other major ocean carriers, which reached their positions in the top-10 through a series of mergers and acquisitions, MSC’s rise to the top was entirely organic."

Mr Aponte, founder and chairman of MSC, recently transferred ownership of the business to his adult children. MSC confirmed that a transfer of ownership took place during Q4 2025, to Mr Aponte’s son and daughter, Diego and Alexa Aponte. 

"This transition marks a significant milestone in the Geneva-based company’s history, as Diego Aponte, group president, and Alexa Aponte, group chief financial officer, have demonstrated leadership and vision, achieving remarkable successes within their respective roles in the business. The move ensures the continued stability and growth of the MSC Group of companies under the stewardship of the next generation," the company said in a statement.

Mr Gianluigi Aponte commented, “I am incredibly proud of this historic moment. Passing ownership to my children is not only a reflection of their dedication and achievements, but also a continuation of our family’s centuries-long maritime heritage. With Diego and Alexa at the helm, I am confident that our Group will continue to thrive and honour our family’s legacy of innovation, resilience, and unwavering commitment to the sea.”

MSC said the company will remain focused on its core business, ocean freight, with Mr Gianluigi Aponte continuing as executive chairman of the Group.