Global Shipping Routes & Carriers
Explore major ocean trade lanes, container volumes, and shipping line options
Current Disruptions
Houthi attacks on commercial shipping have forced carriers to reroute via Cape of Good Hope, adding 10-14 days to Asia-Europe transits and increasing costs.
Drought conditions have reduced daily transit slots and vessel draft limits, causing delays and forcing some rerouting.
Major Ocean Trade Routes
Click on a route to see details. Line thickness represents annual TEU volume.
Trade Route Comparison
Compare transit times, costs, and reliability across major lanes
| Route | Volume (M TEU) | Transit Days | Avg Cost/TEU | Reliability | CO2/TEU | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asia - North Europe | 25.5 | 35 | $1,800 | 62% | 820 kg | Disrupted |
| Asia - Mediterranean | 8.2 | 28 | $1,600 | 58% | 720 kg | Disrupted |
| Transpacific Eastbound | 22.8 | 14 | $2,200 | 71% | 480 kg | Disrupted |
| Transpacific Westbound | 7.2 | 18 | $800 | 75% | 520 kg | Normal |
| Transatlantic Eastbound | 4.8 | 10 | $1,400 | 78% | 340 kg | Disrupted |
| Transatlantic Westbound | 3.1 | 12 | $1,100 | 76% | 360 kg | Normal |
| Intra-Asia | 35 | 5 | $350 | 82% | 180 kg | Normal |
| Asia - Middle East/India | 12.5 | 18 | $900 | 75% | 450 kg | Normal |
| Europe - South America | 3.2 | 22 | $1,600 | 68% | 580 kg | Normal |
Shipping Alliances
Major carriers operate in alliances to share vessel capacity and routes
2M Alliance
35.1%The largest alliance by capacity. Note: Maersk announced exit from 2M in January 2025.
Ocean Alliance
30.1%Strong presence on Asia-Europe and Transpacific routes.
THE Alliance
19%Focus on operational efficiency and schedule reliability.
Independent Carriers
15.8%Non-alliance carriers often offering competitive rates and niche route coverage.
Shipping Lines
Compare carriers by capacity, reliability, and pricing
MSC (Mediterranean Shipping Company)
Switzerland
Maersk
Denmark
CMA CGM
France
COSCO Shipping
China
Hapag-Lloyd
Germany
ONE (Ocean Network Express)
Japan
Evergreen Marine
Taiwan
HMM (Hyundai Merchant Marine)
South Korea
Yang Ming
Taiwan
ZIM
Israel
Wan Hai Lines
Taiwan
PIL (Pacific International Lines)
Singapore
Data Sources & Disclaimer: Volume data based on industry reports and port statistics. Rates are indicative market averages and vary significantly by contract, season, and capacity. Reliability scores from Sea-Intelligence and carrier reports. Always obtain current quotes from carriers or freight forwarders for actual pricing.
Last updated: February 2024
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