Which Countries Control the Global Shipping Industry?

Over 90% of world trade moves by sea, yet only a handful of countries dominate the trillion-dollar shipping industry. While fleet size is a key factor, real control comes from a combination of:

Fleet Ownership: Who owns the most commercial vessels?
Port Infrastructure: Which nations operate the busiest and most strategic ports?
Shipbuilding Capacity: Who manufactures the majority of the world’s cargo ships?
Trade Route Influence: Who dictates global shipping policies and regulations?

China, Greece, the United States, the UAE, and Denmark are among the most influential maritime powers. Their dominance is shaped by state-backed investments, private shipping giants, and control over critical logistics hubs.

This article explores how these countries shape global shipping and how trade wars, tariffs, and geopolitical shifts are reshaping the industry.

How Is Global Shipping Industry Control Measured?

Maritime dominance is determined by four key factors: fleet ownership, port infrastructure, shipbuilding capacity, and trade route influence. These factors affect global trade flow, logistics costs, and geopolitical leverage.

Key Indicators of Maritime Power

Factor	Leaders	Key Data (2024)
Fleet Ownership	Greece, China, Japan	• Greece: 17.6% of global fleet tonnage (largest worldwide). • China: 12.2% (second-largest, but rising due to domestic financing). • Japan: 10.9%, with strength in bulk carriers.
Port Infrastructure	China, Singapore, UAE	• Shanghai: 47M TEU (busiest port worldwide). • Singapore: 39M TEU (key global hub). • Jebel Ali (UAE): Largest transshipment hub in the Middle East.
Shipbuilding Capacity	China, South Korea, Japan	• China: 47.6% of global shipbuilding output (largest producer). • South Korea: 28.5% (dominates LNG carriers). • Japan: 18.2%, specializing in high-tech vessels.
Trade Route Influence	China, U.S., EU	• China: Invested in 90+ ports globally (Belt and Road Initiative). • U.S.: Controls key ports but lacks shipbuilding influence. • EU: Maintains influence through shipping regulations.

Top Countries Controlling Global Shipping

Maritime power is concentrated in a few nations that dominate fleet ownership, port operations, and shipbuilding. These countries control major trade routes and logistics hubs, shaping global commerce.

China

Fleet Ownership: China owns 12.2% of the world’s shipping tonnage. It also operates 6 of the 10 busiest container ports, including Shanghai, which handled 47 million TEU in 2023.
Shipbuilding Power: China produces 47.6% of global commercial vessels, making it the largest shipbuilder. Through its Belt and Road Initiative, China has also invested in over 90 ports worldwide, increasing its geopolitical influence.

Greece

Fleet Ownership: Greece controls 17.6% of global merchant fleet tonnage, the highest of any nation. Greek companies specialize in bulk carriers and oil tankers, crucial for transporting raw materials.
Regulatory Strategy: Many Greek-owned vessels operate under “flags of convenience”, registering in countries like Liberia and Panama for tax and regulatory advantages.

United States

Fleet Ownership: The U.S. controls only 0.2% of the world’s commercial fleet. However, its ports remain critical, with Los Angeles and New York ranking among the busiest cargo hubs.
Regulatory Impact: The Jones Act restricts domestic shipping to U.S.-built, owned, and operated vessels, limiting foreign competition but raising costs.

UAE

Port Dominance: Dubai-based DP World operates over 80 ports worldwide, making the UAE a major logistics hub. Jebel Ali is the largest transshipment port in the Middle East, connecting trade between Europe, Asia, and Africa.

Denmark

Global Shipping Influence: Denmark has a small national fleet but wields significant power through A.P. Moller-Maersk, the world’s second-largest container shipping company.
Industry Leadership: Maersk is at the forefront of decarbonization, investing in green fuel technologies for sustainable shipping.

The Battle for Maritime Dominance: Tariffs, Trade Wars, and Their Impact

Global shipping is not just about owning fleets and ports—it is shaped by economic policies, trade disputes, and geopolitical strategies. Recent tariffs and trade wars have significantly impacted global shipping costs, supply chains, and fleet operations.

US-China Tariff Disputes and Their Impact on Shipping

U.S. Tariffs on Chinese Ships: The U.S. introduced a proposed $1.5 million surcharge on Chinese-built vessels docking at American ports to counteract Chinese subsidies in shipbuilding.
China’s Response: China retaliated with tariffs on U.S. agricultural exports, causing disruptions in bulk carrier demand and rerouting of grain shipments.
Impact on Shipping Costs: Increased tariffs have led to a 14% rise in transpacific freight rates and longer transit times as companies seek alternative shipping routes.

Geopolitical Tensions and Supply Chain Realignments

Geopolitical Event	Effect on Global Shipping
Russia-Ukraine Conflict	Disruptions in Black Sea trade; higher demand for alternative European ports.
Red Sea Attacks on Cargo Ships	Rerouting of vessels away from the Suez Canal, increasing voyage distances.
China’s Belt and Road Port Expansion	Increased Chinese influence over global shipping lanes, especially in Africa and Asia.

Regulatory and Environmental Changes

Carbon Emission Regulations: The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has introduced stricter emissions targets, pushing shipowners to invest in LNG and hydrogen-powered vessels.
EU Carbon Tax on Shipping: In 2024, the EU implemented a new carbon pricing scheme that increased operational costs for non-EU ships entering European ports.
Supply Chain Diversification: Companies are shifting manufacturing away from China to Vietnam, India, and Mexico to avoid geopolitical risks and tariff exposure.

Key Takeaways for Logistics Professionals

As global shipping becomes increasingly complex due to geopolitical shifts, economic policies, and environmental regulations, logistics professionals must adapt to new challenges. Below are the most critical insights from this analysis:

1. China Continues to Dominate Global Shipping

China controls 12.2% of global fleet tonnage and operates 6 of the 10 busiest ports.
Largest shipbuilder, producing nearly 50% of the world’s cargo vessels.
Expanding control through Belt and Road Initiative port investments.

2. Trade Wars and Tariffs Are Reshaping Supply Chains

U.S. tariffs on Chinese-built vessels are increasing shipping costs.
China’s response with agricultural trade restrictions is affecting bulk carrier demand.
Many companies are relocating production from China to Vietnam, India, and Mexico.

3. Geopolitical Risks Are Disrupting Maritime Routes

Russia-Ukraine conflict is impacting Black Sea shipping routes.
Red Sea security risks have forced vessel rerouting away from the Suez Canal.
China’s port investments are strengthening its trade influence worldwide.

4. Environmental Regulations Are Raising Costs

The IMO’s carbon emission rules are increasing operational expenses for shipping companies.
The EU carbon tax is impacting international carriers entering European ports.
Companies are investing in LNG and hydrogen-powered vessels to comply with stricter emission laws.

5. Logistics Professionals Must Adapt

Monitor trade policies and tariffs to anticipate cost changes.
Consider alternative sourcing locations to mitigate geopolitical risks.
Invest in decarbonization strategies to stay compliant with environmental laws.

The Global Shipping Power, Explained in FAQs

Which country owns the most ships?

Greece owns the largest fleet by tonnage, controlling 17.6% of global merchant vessels²⁸. China follows with 12.2%, and Japan ranks third with 10.9%.

Which country controls the most shipping ports?

China operates 6 of the 10 busiest container ports globally, including Shanghai, the world’s largest port with 47 million TEU handled in 2023. Through state-backed companies like COSCO and China Merchants Port, China also controls key ports in Asia, Africa, and Europe.

How do tariffs impact global shipping costs?

Trade wars and tariffs increase shipping costs by raising import/export fees, disrupting supply chains, and forcing businesses to find alternative trade routes. U.S. tariffs on Chinese-built vessels contributed to a 14% rise in transpacific freight rates.

What is China’s Belt and Road Initiative, and how does it affect shipping?

China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a global infrastructure project expanding China’s influence in global trade. By investing in over 90 foreign ports, China is securing control over major shipping routes and reducing dependency on Western-controlled trade hubs.

How are environmental regulations changing the shipping industry?

The IMO’s 2024 carbon regulations and the EU carbon tax on shipping are pushing companies to adopt cleaner technologies. Many carriers are investing in LNG and hydrogen-powered vessels to meet stricter emission targets.

Shipping Superpowers: What This Means for Global Trade

The global shipping industry is controlled by a handful of powerful nations, with China, Greece, the U.S., UAE, and Denmark leading in fleet ownership, port dominance, and logistics infrastructure. Each country’s influence is shaped by a combination of shipbuilding capacity, regulatory policies, and geopolitical strategies.

While China continues to expand its maritime dominance through state-backed investments and infrastructure projects like the Belt and Road Initiative, other nations such as Greece and Denmark maintain their influence through fleet ownership and shipping innovation.

However, the industry is not just shaped by shipowners and port operators. Trade wars, tariffs, and geopolitical conflicts are forcing global supply chains to adapt, while environmental regulations are increasing costs and pushing the sector toward greener technologies.

For logistics professionals, staying ahead of these trends is crucial. Businesses must monitor changes in global trade policies, adapt supply chain strategies to mitigate geopolitical risks, and invest in sustainable shipping solutions to comply with evolving regulations.

As the global economy continues to shift, the balance of power in the shipping industry will evolve. The countries that can best navigate these challenges—through investment, policy adaptation, and innovation—will remain dominant players in international trade.

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Which Countries Control the Global Shipping Industry?