The smart, good looking folks over at Inbound Logistics have provided a great list of the top ocean carriers.

The list contains the top 22 ocean carriers along with their contact information, company profile and a list of services.  The article also provides the number of ships and the latest news on each company.

For shippers, it pays to understand the ocean carrier marketplace.  Every carrier will have their own sweet spot in the market and shippers need to understand that.  Shippers need to select the carrier that provides the right combination of price, service and intangibles.

Pricing will vary depending on many factors including destination, service fees charged by the port, season and currency.  The price will also be determined by terminal fees, fines, bunker capacity and container capacity.

Given all the variables, shippers might be well served by hiring a 3PL (like the one I manage) to help them with their ocean shipping.  A good 3PL will earn their fee, by finding the best ocean carrier and managing all the paperwork.

Click the link to view Inbound Logistics’ 2012 Ocean Carrier Guide – http://www.inboundlogistics.com/cms/article/inbound-logistics-2012-ocean-carrier-guide/

Top Ocean Carriers

  1. Atlantic Container Line (ACL) – www.aclcargo.com
  2. APL – www.apl.com
  3. China Shipping – www.chinashippingna.com
  4. CMA CGM – www.cma-cgm.com
  5. COSCO Container Lines Americas – www.cosco-usa.com
  6. Crowley – www.crowley.com
  7. Evergreen Line – www.evergreen-line.com
  8. Hamburg Süd – www.hamburgsud.com
  9. Hapag-Lloyd – www.hapag-lloyd.com
  10. Horizon Lines – www.horizonlines.com
  11. Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) – www.hmm21.com
  12. Intermarine – www.intermarineusa.com
  13. Maersk Line – www.maerskline.com
  14. Matson Navigation Company – www.matson.com
  15. MOL – www.molpower.com
  16. Mediterranean Shipping Company SA (MSC) – www.mscgva.ch
  17. NYK Line – www.nykline.com
  18. OOCL – www.oocl.com
  19. Safmarine Container Lines – www.safmarine.com
  20. Trailer Bridge – www.trailerbridge.com
  21. United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) – www.uasc.net
  22. Yang Ming – www.yangming.com

Click the link to view Inbound Logistics’ 2012 Ocean Carrier Guide – http://www.inboundlogistics.com/cms/article/inbound-logistics-2012-ocean-carrier-guide/

Bottom line:  Check out the great resources available online like (http://www.inboundlogistics.com) and be an informed shipper.

Questions:   Are there any other ocean carriers who belong on the list?  Who is the best ocean carrier?