Big newbuilding program sees ZIM overtake Yang Ming

A massive newbuilding program and a string of recent vessel deliveries has pushed the operated fleet of Haifa-based ZIM bast that of Taiwan’s Yang Ming.

With a fleet capacity of 707.332 teu, ZIM now claims the ninth rank among the world’s container shipping lines. As per 9 April, the carrier’s fleets were a mere 314 teu apart in terms of overall capacity. 

ZIM currently operates 131 ships, while Yang Ming deploys 94. 

Structurally, the carrier’s fleets very much differ since ZIM chartered 95% (122 ships) of its capacity, while Yang Ming balances chartering (59% / 38 ships) and ownership (41% / 56 ships). 

The most striking difference between the two is Yang Ming’s restraint over the past few years, while ZIM has embarked on a massive fleet expansion scheme. From a low point of 271,00 teu in April 2020, the carrier doubled capacity in just three years until April 2023.

ZIM’s newbuilding program included ten LNG-powered 15,000 teu vessels from Seaspan (‘Sammy Ofer’ class: 2023-2024), 15 LNG powered 7800 teu vessels from Seaspan (‘Gemstone’ class: 2023 - 2024 - 5 delivered so far), eight 5,200 teu ships from Navios (‘Bird’ class: 2023 - 2024 - 2 delivered so far), five 5,500 teu ships from MPC and related interests (River class: 2023 - 2024 - two delivered so far), and three LNG-powered 7,900 teu ships (‘Aries’ class: 2024 - 2 delivered so far). 

Apart from these, ZIM also took on four 12,000 teu newsbuildings from Seaspan (2 ships) and RCL (2 ships).