Switzerland overtakes Germany: The big container ship turnaround!

Switzerland overtakes Germany: The big container ship turnaround!

Switzerland, a landlocked country with no direct access to the sea, has now become the largest container ship nation in the world. Despite the geographical restrictions, the Alpine republic relegated both Germany and China to second and third place, according to reports crown and the Time 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 tonnage (GT): Switzerland controls 34.7 million GT, while China follows with 31 million and Germany with 30.2 million GT.

The rise of MSC is the most important reason for this impressive success. The shipping company made a name for itself by acquiring large shares in the German port logistics company HHLA in Hamburg and by purchasing German container ships. Gaby Bornheim, President of the Association of German Shipowners (VDR), emphasizes that this has not only increased the GT of the Swiss fleet, but has also significantly worsened Germany's position in the global ranking. Germany, previously the undisputed leader, has fallen to third place. According to VDR Managing Director Martin Kröger, China has also managed to overtake Germany, particularly by serving inner-Asian routes with small container ships in line with demand.

The fact that the German ship fleet, which still comprises 1,764 ships, has continued to fall behind in fifteen avoidable places: despite an increase in GT from 29 million to 30.2 million GT. Nevertheless, with a total GT of 47.4 million, Germany still remains in seventh place among the largest merchant fleets in the world, behind countries such as Greece, China and Japan. This rapid change in the rankings shows how dynamic international shipping is and the impact corporate strategies can have on national rankings.