{"id":2883,"date":"2026-04-10T13:14:51","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T04:14:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ef-international.com\/e\/?p=2883"},"modified":"2026-04-10T13:14:51","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T04:14:51","slug":"202604","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ef-international.com\/e\/container-market-report\/202604.html","title":{"rendered":"“ONE\u2019s Challenge Against Mega Alliances”, “Will COSCO Expand Their Business by Owned Tank Containers?”, etc. \/ Container Market Report April 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n
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The Challenge to the Human\u2019s Furthest Travel and a Ceasefire in the Middle East: Where Hope Meets Risk<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
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On the afternoon of April 1 (Wed), the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched the crewed spacecraft Orion carrying four astronauts to orbit the Moon. On the second day of the mission, Artemis II, the spacecraft entered lunar orbit, and at around 7:00 PM on April 6 (Mon), it reached the far side of the Moon, marking the farthest distance ever traveled by humans\u2014406,771 km (248,655 miles) from Earth. After completing its 10-day mission, it is scheduled to return to the waters off California on the night of April 10 (Fri). The United States\u2019 boundless pursuit of space exploration continues to inspire people around the world with a sense of romance and ambition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the same time, we are reminded of the harsh reality of the conflict involving Iran\u2014desperately resisting the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz\u2014and Israel and the United States. However, we take some relief in the announcement made on April 7 (U.S. Eastern Time) that both sides have agreed to a \u201ctwo-week ceasefire,\u201d albeit with slight differences in interpretation. We sincerely hope that the conflict will be resolved amicably through dialogue between the parties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Trials and Survival Strategies for Shipping That Sustains the World: The Strength of \u201cJapanese Quality\u201d Chosen by Shippers<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Currently, maritime transport accounts for approximately 80\u201390% of global cargo transportation by volume. Since the 1960s, the revolution brought about by containerization has made an immeasurable contribution to global economic development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Global supply chains have been significantly impacted by a series of disruptions, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the blockage of the Suez Canal, transit restrictions at the Panama Canal due to drought, labor strikes on the U.S. West Coast, and most recently, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Container shipping lines, which play a central role in these supply chains, are consequently bearing an increasingly heavy burden. This is because both vessel operations and container availability are severely constrained. Shipping companies continue to deliver cargo safely to their destinations despite adverse weather, port labor strikes, equipment failures, engine troubles, port congestion, and even maritime accidents. Overcoming these challenges inevitably results in substantial cost increases.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As global logistics expanded rapidly, container shipping lines have pursued survival through consolidation and scale enlargement via mergers and acquisitions (M&A), in order to provide shippers with faster, more efficient, economical, and safer logistics solutions. It would not be an exaggeration to say that the history of container shipping is, in many ways, a history of M&A. At the same time, carriers have pursued cost reductions through the deployment of larger vessels to achieve economies of scale, thereby supporting the global supply chain as key players. By forming alliances with suitable partners, they strive to deliver better services. The success of today\u2019s global supply chains cannot be discussed without acknowledging the tremendous efforts made by container shipping lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, container shipping lines have been exposed to intense competition, and those unable to keep pace have been forced out without exception. Japan\u2019s shipping industry has been no exception. From the six major Japanese shipping companies of the 1960s (NYK, MOL, K Line, Japan Line, YS Line, and Showa Line), the industry consolidated into three major players (NYK, MOL, and K Line) by the early 2000s. In 2017, the liner businesses of these three companies were merged to form Ocean Network Express (ONE), which established its operational base in Singapore and continues to operate today. However, its scale remains limited, currently ranking seventh among global competitors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 1907, during the Meiji era, Japan\u2019s shipping capacity stood at approximately 1.07 million gross tons, accounting for about 3% of the global total and ranking sixth in the world. We hope that Japanese shipping companies will once again develop unique, high-quality services that attract global shippers. \u201cIf there is a will, there is a way.\u201d We strongly hope they will take on the challenge\u2014and see it through to the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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ONE\u2019s Challenge Against Mega Alliances:<\/strong> The Optimal Answer of \u201cEase of Use\u201d That Turns Smaller Scale into a Strength<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

There are currently nine major container shipping lines worldwide. A comparison of their fleet sizes is shown below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n