MSC, CMA CGM buck trend of reduced fleets

MSC, CMA CGM buck trend of reduced fleets    All but two of the world's top 13 ocean carriers have seen their active fleet size decline over the past 12 months, according to a report Monday by the maritime news service Alphaliner.
   Only Mediterranean Shipping Co. and CMA CGM saw their fleets grow, as the two European giants have eschewed idling vessels and taken delivery of new large vessels. MSC's fleet rose 10.6 percent in capacity despite a concerted effort to scrap old tonnage, while CMA CGM's fleet grew 6 percent. The two carriers are the second- and third-largest in terms of capacity, after Maersk Line.
   You have to go to No. 14 on the list to find the next carrier whose fleet grew, and that's Hamburg S'd, yet another European line. The rest of the lines in the top 15 are all Asia-based and saw their active fleets drop due to idling or scrapping of vessels.