Switzerland overtakes Germany: The large container ship turn!

Switzerland overtakes Germany: The large container ship turn!

Switzerland, an inland without direct access to the sea, has now swung itself up to the largest container ship nation in the world. Despite the geographical restrictions, the Alpine Republic referred both Germany and China to places two and three, such as reports of Krone href = "https://www.zeit.de/news/2025-03/11/schweiz-jetz-jetz-groesste-containerschiff-nation-der-welt confirm . In the middle of the oceans, the Swiss shipping company Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) dominates with an impressive market share, which is reflected in the gross area (BRZ): 34.7 million BRZ controls Switzerland, while China followed with 31 million and Germany with 30.2 million BRZ.

The rise of the MSC is the most important reason for this impressive success. The shipping company has made a name for itself through the acquisition of large proportions in the German harbor logistian HHLA in Hamburg and by buying German container ships. Gaby Bornheim, President of the Association of German Reeder (VDR), emphasizes that this has not only increased the BRZ of the Swiss fleet, but also significantly deteriorated the position of Germany in the global ranking. Germany, previously the undisputed leader, fell to third place. According to VDR general manager Martin Kröger, China has also managed to pass Germany, in particular through the needs-based operation of internal-Asian routes with small container ships.

which the German ship stock, which still includes 1,764 ships, has continued to fall back on fifteen avoidable places: despite an increase in the BRZ from 29 million to 30.2 million BRZ. Nevertheless, with a total BRZ of 47.4 million, Germany remains in the seventh place of the largest merchant fleets worldwide, behind countries such as Greece, China and Japan. This rapid change in the ranking shows how dynamic international shipping is and what effects corporate strategies can have on national ranks.