Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2015-2030)
Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 5.8 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $149.7bn in 2025.
Trends and Insights
Cruise demand recovery and value-driven pricing strategies are supporting robust industry performance
- The cruise segment is experiencing a sharp rebound in leisure travel as passengers resume voyages following pandemic-related disruptions. Large operators such as Royal Caribbean and Norwegian are reporting occupancy rates near or above 90.0% in early 2023, with some sailings exceeding 100.0% capacity utilization, indicating that cabins are heavily booked and demand is straining available capacity. This sustained demand pressure has enabled cruise lines to raise ticket prices substantially, supporting revenue and profit growth, though higher fares have reduced accessibility for budget-conscious travelers. Data from the Cruise Sheet shows that trips priced at $50 or less per day declined from 45 offerings in 2022 to 11 in 2024, reflecting the contraction of budget cruise options in the current market environment.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2025-2030)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
The outlook is increasingly shaped by new alliances and network design
- The industry’s medium-term outlook depends on how restructured carrier alliances reset trade lanes, capacity deployment and cost sharing. By 2025, the number of global alliances rose from three to four as MSC shifts to a fully independent network, while Maersk and Hapag‑Lloyd form the Gemini Cooperation, which logistics firm Dimerco estimates will control about 26.4% of container capacity as of February 2025. Alliances use shared vessel space and coordinated schedules to reduce duplication on core routes and manage congestion risks, reshaping service patterns across deep‑sea, coastal and inland corridors.
Biggest companies in the Global Deep-Sea, Coastal & Inland Water Transportation
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue ($m)
2025 | Profit ($m)
2025 | Profit Margin (%)
2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company SA | 42,177.7 | 3,310.4 | 7.8 | |
CMA CGM SA | 27,121.5 | 3,170.5 | 11.7 | |
AP Moller - Maersk A/S | 21,431.5 | 1,273.4 | 5.9 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Dry bulk, Liquid bulk and Container. Dry bulk is the largest segment of the Global Deep-Sea, Coastal & Inland Water Transportation.
Trends and Insights
Cruise services grow as high-spend travelers drive premium demand
- Cruise services in this industry encompass ocean-going and inland voyages that bundle transportation with lodging, dining, entertainment and shore excursions, generating revenue from fares, as well as robust onboard and onshore spending. This segment holds the largest share of industry revenue over the long term because cruises earn much higher returns per passenger‑kilometre than bulk cargo by combining ticket sales, retail, casinos, food and beverage and tours into a single higher-margin offer.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Operators in this industry provide deep-sea, coastal and inland water transportation. Deep-sea and coastal water transportation includes the movement of passengers and freight over major waterways, both scheduled and unscheduled. Inland water transportation includes the movement of passengers or freight via rivers, canals, lakes and waterways, including inside harbors. The industry excludes marine operations such as port operations and stevedoring.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in the Global Deep-Sea, Coastal & Inland Water Transportation industry include Dry bulk, Liquid bulk, Container and Passenger.Companies
Companies covered in the Global Deep-Sea, Coastal & Inland Water Transportation industry include MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company SA, CMA CGM SA and AP Moller - Maersk A/S.Purchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
Related terms covered in the Global Deep-Sea, Coastal & Inland Water Transportation industry include lay-up, imo, teu, short-sea shipping, flag of convenience, tramp services and conference.Performance
Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.
Analyst insights
Red Sea disruptions are reshaping trade routes and costs. Carriers have rerouted ships through the Cape of Good Hope to avoid security risks, which adds to fuel costs and tra...
In this chapter (4)
- Current Performance
- Outlook
- Volatility
- Life Cycle
Key metrics
- Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
- Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
- Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
- Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business
Charts
- Revenue, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Employees, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Businesses, including historical (2015-2024) and forecast (2025-2030)
- Profit, including historical (2015-2025)
- Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
- Industry Life Cycle
Detailed analysis
- Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
- Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
- Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
- How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.
Products and Markets
Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.
Analyst insight
Affluent travelers increasingly power cruises. High-spend passengers are gravitating toward premium, experience-led itineraries, helping cruise lines sustain stronger pricing...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2025
- Product innovation level
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2025
- Major market segmentation in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
- Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
- Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
- Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
Geographic Breakdown
Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.
Analyst insights
Europe holds a significant position in cruise ship construction and short-sea shipping. Ocean transporters are drawn to the region for its extensive merchant fleet and the pr...
In this chapter (1)
- Business Locations
Charts
- Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
- Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2025
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2025
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2025
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2025
Detailed analysis
- Business Locations Charts
- Share of global output by region in 2025
- Share of population compared to output in each region in 2025
- Data tables
- Share of global output by region in 2025
- Detailed analysis
- Geographic spread of the industry across Global, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
- Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage
Competitive Forces
Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.
Analyst insights
Freight rates, efficiency and geographical coverage bolster competition among ocean transporters. Shipping companies gain market share by providing services to more routes an...
In this chapter (4)
- Concentration
- Barriers to Entry
- Substitutes
- Buyer & Supplier Analysis
Key metrics
- Industry concentration level
- Industry competition level and trend
- Barriers to entry level and trend
- Substitutes level and trend
- Buyer power level and trend
- Supplier power level and trend
Charts
- Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2020-2025
- Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart
Detailed analysis
- Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
- Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
- Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
- Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
- Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
- Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
- Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
- Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
- Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.
Companies
Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.
Analyst insights
Fleet expansion is a persistent strategy for major shipping groups. Companies are adding capacity to support long-term growth rather than chasing a short-lived fad. MSC cruis...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2021 through 2025
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2025
- Overview of MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company SA's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of CMA CGM SA's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of AP Moller - Maersk A/S's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2019 through 2025
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company SA, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for CMA CGM SA, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for AP Moller - Maersk A/S, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company
External Environment
Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.
Analyst insights
While each nation sets its own rules for maritime transportation, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) establishes international standards. The IMO sets various regu...
In this chapter
- External Drivers
- Regulation & Policy
- Assistance
Key metrics
- Regulation & policy level and trend
- Assistance level and trend
Charts
- Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
- Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
- Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.
Financial Benchmarks
View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time.
Analyst insights
Luxury cruises are boosting industry profit. Operators are capitalizing on strong travel demand by introducing premium offerings—such as bundled dining, wellness and retail s...
In this chapter
- Cost Structure
- Financial Ratios
- Key Ratios
Key metrics
- Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
- Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
- Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
- Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio
Charts
- Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2025
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
- Employees per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- Average Wage (2015-2030)
- Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2015-2030)
- IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
- Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
- Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
Detailed analysis
- Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability
Key Statistics
Industry Data
Data Tables
Including values and annual change:
- Revenue (2015-2030)
- IVA (2015-2030)
- Establishments (2015-2030)
- Enterprises (2015-2030)
- Employment (2015-2030)
- Exports (2015-2030)
- Imports (2015-2030)
- Wages (2015-2030)
Top Questions Answered
Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.
What is the market size of the Global Deep-Sea, Coastal & Inland Water Transportation industry in 2025?
The market size of the Global Deep-Sea, Coastal & Inland Water Transportation industry is $149.7bn in 2025.
How many businesses are there in the Global Deep-Sea, Coastal & Inland Water Transportation industry in 2025?
There are 7,845 businesses in the Global Deep-Sea, Coastal & Inland Water Transportation industry, which has grown at a CAGR of 4.0 % between 2020 and 2025.
How may import tariffs affect the Global Deep-Sea, Coastal & Inland Water Transportation industry?
The Global Deep-Sea, Coastal & Inland Water Transportation industry is unlikely to be materially impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Global Deep-Sea, Coastal & Inland Water Transportation industry?
The Global Deep-Sea, Coastal & Inland Water Transportation industry is unlikely to be materially impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a low share of industry revenue.
Has the Global Deep-Sea, Coastal & Inland Water Transportation industry grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Global Deep-Sea, Coastal & Inland Water Transportation industry has been growing at a CAGR of 5.8 % between 2020 and 2025.
What is the forecast growth of the Global Deep-Sea, Coastal & Inland Water Transportation industry over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Global Deep-Sea, Coastal & Inland Water Transportation industry is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Global Deep-Sea, Coastal & Inland Water Transportation industry?
The biggest companies operating in the Global Deep-Sea, Coastal & Inland Water Transportation industry are MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company SA, CMA CGM SA and AP Moller - Maersk A/S
What does the Global Deep-Sea, Coastal & Inland Water Transportation industry include?
Dry bulk and Liquid bulk are part of the Global Deep-Sea, Coastal & Inland Water Transportation industry.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Global Deep-Sea, Coastal & Inland Water Transportation industry?
The company holding the most market share in the Global Deep-Sea, Coastal & Inland Water Transportation industry is MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company SA.
How competitive is the Global Deep-Sea, Coastal & Inland Water Transportation industry?
The level of competition is high and steady in the Global Deep-Sea, Coastal & Inland Water Transportation industry.
Methodology
How are IBISWorld reports created?
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Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.
IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.
What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?
Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.
Key data sources globally include:
- United Nations Comtrade
- Organization for Economic Cooperation & Development
- World Bank
Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.
These sources include:
- Industry and trade associations
- Industry federations or regulators
- Major industry players annual or quarterly filings
Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.
How does IBISWorld forecast its data?
IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.
IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.
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