The global containership fleet continued to expand rapidly in 2025, with shipowners placing a record number of newbuilding orders even as concerns over future overcapacity grew. According to Dynamar’s DynaLiners Trades Review 2026, the global orderbook reached 11.93 million TEU by the end of the year — equivalent to 35% of the active fleet.
The fleet itself grew to 33.688 million TEU across 7,497 vessels. Shipowners ordered a record 561 new containerships with a combined capacity of 4.772 million TEU, surpassing the previous annual record set in 2021. A total of 254 new vessels, adding 2.181 million TEU, entered service during the year.
The fleet grew by 2.232 million TEU, the second-largest annual increase ever recorded. The average size of newly delivered ships also reached a record 8,600 TEU as carriers continued to favour larger, more efficient vessels. At the other end of the market, ship recycling almost disappeared.
Just 14 containerships, representing 10,100 TEU, were sent for demolition in 2025 — the lowest annual total ever recorded. Despite the huge influx of new capacity, only 0.7% of the global fleet was laid up, equivalent to about 216,000 TEU across 77 vessels. Longer voyages around the Cape of Good Hope, caused by security risks in the Red Sea, helped absorb additional ships by keeping vessels at sea for longer.
Strong cargo demand, port congestion and changing trade routes also supported fleet utilisation. But that balance could be tested if ships return to shorter routes through the Red Sea and Suez Canal, effectively releasing more capacity into the market. The figures show an industry still investing heavily in fleet renewal and larger, more fuel-efficient ships.