While a vast armada of over 59,000 ships crisscrosses our oceans to fuel our global economy, the intricate data from 2023 reveals an industry at a pivotal crossroads of growth, change, and immense economic impact.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, the global merchant fleet totaled 2,186 million deadweight tons (DWT), marking a 3.4% increase from 2022
- As of January 2024, there were 59,143 commercial vessels in the global fleet with individual gross tonnage over 1,000
- Container ships accounted for 6,669 vessels in the global fleet in 2023, representing 11.3% of the total number of ships
- In 2023, seaborne trade volumes reached 11.06 billion tons, up 2.4% from 2022
- Dry cargo accounted for 8.02 billion tons of seaborne trade in 2023, representing 72.5%
- Containerized trade grew by 0.3% to 1.83 billion tons in 2023
- The global shipping industry generated $2.8 trillion in revenue in 2022
- Container shipping revenue reached $256 billion in 2022, down from pandemic highs
- Dry bulk shipping revenue was approximately $150 billion in 2023 estimates
- Global shipping emitted 1.056 billion tonnes of CO2 in 2022, 2.9% of global emissions
- Shipping's share of global GHG emissions projected to rise to 13.4% by 2050 without action
- SOx emissions from ships reduced by 80% in Emission Control Areas since 2015
- Total ship losses averaged 104 vessels per year 2014-2023
- 857 lives lost in shipping accidents in 2023, down 25% from 2022
- Container ship fires: 16 major incidents in 2023
The global shipping industry expanded in 2023 while freight rates declined significantly.
Cargo and Trade
- In 2023, seaborne trade volumes reached 11.06 billion tons, up 2.4% from 2022
- Dry cargo accounted for 8.02 billion tons of seaborne trade in 2023, representing 72.5%
- Containerized trade grew by 0.3% to 1.83 billion tons in 2023
- Global container throughput at ports reached 891 million TEU in 2023, up 1.5%
- Iron ore seaborne trade hit a record 1.32 billion tons in 2023, up 4.5%
- Coal trade declined by 5.2% to 1.20 billion tons in 2023
- Crude oil trade volumes fell 1.9% to 1.94 billion tons in 2023
- Grain trade increased 1.5% to 402 million tons in 2023
- LNG trade surged 5.8% to 133 million tons in 2023
- China was the top importer of seaborne goods with 3.42 billion tons in 2023
- Singapore handled 39.0 million TEU in 2023, top container port
- Shanghai port throughput was 49.1 million TEU in 2023
- Bauxite/alumina trade rose 5.3% to 271 million tons in 2023
- Oil products trade grew 3.1% to 1.25 billion tons in 2023
- Container freight rates on Asia-Europe route averaged $4,136/TEU in 2023
- Average container freight rates fell 63% from 2022 peak in 2023
- Dry bulk freight rates dropped 30% on average in 2023
- Tanker freight rates declined 20-40% across segments in 2023
- Asia was destination for 63% of global container trade in 2023
- Global liner shipping connectivity index averaged 48.2 points in 2023
- Least developed countries' share in liner shipping connectivity was 19.7 in 2023
- World container fleet utilization reached 90% in Q4 2023
Cargo and Trade Interpretation
While global shipping proved itself the stubbornly indispensable circulatory system of the world in 2023—moving more goods than ever, powering China’s imports, and fueling Asia’s growth—it did so with a spectacularly deflated ego, as freight rates plummeted from their pandemic highs like a lead balloon.
Economic Impact and Revenue
- The global shipping industry generated $2.8 trillion in revenue in 2022
- Container shipping revenue reached $256 billion in 2022, down from pandemic highs
- Dry bulk shipping revenue was approximately $150 billion in 2023 estimates
- Tanker market revenue hit $200 billion in 2022 due to high rates
- Global shipbuilding market value was $150 billion in 2023
- Ship repair and maintenance market size reached $45 billion in 2023
- Maritime transport contributes 0.3% to global GDP annually
- Container shipping profitability averaged 25% EBIT margin in 2022
- Global fleet operating costs totaled $300 billion in 2023
- China shipbuilding output was 49% of global in 2023, worth $74 billion
- South Korea shipbuilding revenue $32 billion, 21% global share in 2023
- Employment in global shipping industry exceeds 1.5 million seafarers
- Offshore support vessels market valued at $25 billion in 2023
- Global port operations revenue around $100 billion annually
- Insurance premiums for marine hull reached $40 billion in 2023
- Freight forwarding market size $200 billion in 2023, linked to shipping
- Global shipping fuel market $120 billion in 2023
- Containership charter rates averaged $45,000/day for 8,000 TEU in 2023
- Bulk carrier values rose 20% on average in 2023
- Second-hand tanker prices increased 15% y-o-y in 2023
Economic Impact and Revenue Interpretation
The global shipping industry, a $2.8 trillion behemoth, is a fascinatingly volatile machine where fortunes are made repairing a $45 billion scratch, fueling a $120 billion habit, and insuring a $40 billion gamble, all while China and South Korea build nearly three-quarters of its stage.
Environmental and Sustainability
- Global shipping emitted 1.056 billion tonnes of CO2 in 2022, 2.9% of global emissions
- Shipping's share of global GHG emissions projected to rise to 13.4% by 2050 without action
- SOx emissions from ships reduced by 80% in Emission Control Areas since 2015
- 90% of ships complied with 0.5% sulfur cap globally by 2020
- Global shipping bunker fuel consumption was 330 million tonnes in 2023
- VLSFO accounted for 75% of bunker sales post-IMO 2020
- LNG bunkering infrastructure grew to 180 ports worldwide in 2023
- Methanol-fueled vessels ordered reached 15 by 2023
- Wind-assisted propulsion installed on 20 vessels by 2023
- Energy Efficiency Existing Ship Index (EEXI) compliance required for 60,000+ ships by 2023
- Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) ratings: 72% A/B in 2023 first year
- Biofuel bunkering volumes tripled to 4 million tonnes in 2023
- Ships with shore power connection capability: 1,200 globally in 2023
- Ballast water management systems installed on 90% of fleet by 2024
- NOx emissions reduction in ECAs: 70% since Tier III standards
- Global fleet average EEDI for new ships improved 40% since 2013
- Ammonia-ready vessels ordered: 20 by end 2023
- Hydrogen fuel cell ships operational: 5 demonstration vessels in 2023
- Scrubber-fitted fleet reached 4,500 vessels by 2023, 13% of fleet
- EU ETS covers 50% of ship CO2 emissions from 2024
Environmental and Sustainability Interpretation
The shipping industry presents a paradox of progress, where impressive strides in cleaning sulfur and efficiency are handcuffed to a grim trajectory of rising carbon emissions, proving that a fleet can be compliant yet still steering us toward climate disaster.
Fleet Statistics
- In 2023, the global merchant fleet totaled 2,186 million deadweight tons (DWT), marking a 3.4% increase from 2022
- As of January 2024, there were 59,143 commercial vessels in the global fleet with individual gross tonnage over 1,000
- Container ships accounted for 6,669 vessels in the global fleet in 2023, representing 11.3% of the total number of ships
- The orderbook for newbuild container ships stood at 12.4% of the existing fleet capacity in DWT terms as of early 2024
- Tanker vessels comprised 25.2% of the global fleet by number in 2023, totaling 14,892 ships
- Bulk carriers made up 44.3% of the global merchant fleet by deadweight tonnage in 2023
- The average age of the global tanker fleet was 10.6 years in January 2024
- LNG carriers numbered 742 vessels globally in 2023, with a capacity of 40.7 million cbm
- In 2023, 1,288 million DWT of tonnage was sold for scrap, representing 3.7% of the fleet
- China owned 22.6% of the global fleet DWT in 2023, followed by Japan at 15.7%
- Greece controlled 20.5% of global fleet DWT in 2023
- The global container fleet capacity reached 2,514 million TEU in 2023
- Dry bulk carriers totaled 13,657 vessels in 2023
- The orderbook for bulk carriers was 11.7% of the fleet in DWT in early 2024
- Average age of container ships was 10.7 years in 2024
- Liberia flagged 16.8% of global fleet DWT in 2023
- Panama flagged 29.1% of vessels by number but 16.3% by DWT
- Marshall Islands flagged 5.6% of global DWT in 2023
- Global fleet grew by 3.0% in vessel numbers in 2023
- Ro-Ro cargo carriers numbered 804 vessels in 2023
- In 2023, the global merchant fleet expanded by 71 million DWT, primarily in container ships
- Liberia maintained its position as the largest ship registry by DWT with 306 million tons in 2024
- The number of very large crude carriers (VLCCs) reached 859 in early 2024
- Capesize bulkers numbered 1,449 vessels totaling 180 million DWT in 2024
- Ultra Large Container Vessels (ULCVs) over 20,000 TEU totaled 370 ships in 2024
- LNG carrier newbuild orderbook stood at 462 vessels, 250% of fleet in 2024
- Average container ship size grew to 4,910 TEU per vessel in 2023
- Dry bulk fleet capacity hit 1,024 million DWT in January 2024
- Chemical tanker fleet comprised 6,248 vessels in 2024
Fleet Statistics Interpretation
While the world's merchant fleet continues its slow, steady growth—dominated by ever-larger ships flying flags of convenience, yet increasingly owned by a few major powers and fueled by a massive LNG shipbuilding boom—the underlying story is one of strategic consolidation, environmental transition, and the quiet, efficient movement of nearly everything.
Safety, Incidents, and Regulations
- Total ship losses averaged 104 vessels per year 2014-2023
- 857 lives lost in shipping accidents in 2023, down 25% from 2022
- Container ship fires: 16 major incidents in 2023
- Pirate attacks fell to 14 incidents worldwide in 2023, lowest since 1994
- 95% of ships inspected under PSC had zero deficiencies in 2023
- Detentions under Port State Control: 0.5% of inspections in 2023
- Cyber incidents on ships doubled to 25 reported cases in 2023
- Seafarer abandonment cases: 1,384 in 2023, up 10%
- Ships over 12,000 GT must comply with ISM Code, covering 95% of tonnage
- STCW Convention ratified by 165 countries, training 1.89 million seafarers
- Global Integrated Shipping Information System (GISIS) modules used by 170+ states
- MLC 2006 covers welfare for 95% of world fleet tonnage
- 2,200 ships inspected under LRIT globally in 2023
- AIS data tracks 180,000 vessels daily worldwide
- SOLAS Chapter XI-2 mandates ISPS Code for 10,000+ international ships
- Flag State performance audits completed for 40 administrations by 2023
- Recognized Organizations issued 90% of statutory certificates in 2023
- Casualty rate for bulk carriers: 1.2 losses per 1,000 ships 2019-2023
- Ro-Ro passenger ship safety index improved 15% since 2020
- Global seafarer supply: 1.89 million in 2023, demand 1.91 million
Safety, Incidents, and Regulations Interpretation
While the shipping industry boasts remarkably improved safety records and technological oversight, it still battles a concerning rise in crew abandonment cases and cyber threats, reminding us that progress on paper must always sail alongside humanity at sea.