Introduction:

Liner Shipping: Liner shipping refers to the transportation of cargo on regular scheduled routes
by container ships, which are specifically designed to carry standard-sized cargo containers. The
term "liner" originally referred to ships that followed fixed schedules and routes, picking up and
dropping off cargo and passengers at designated ports along the way.
Liner shipping plays a vital role in the global logistics sector, facilitating the transportation of
most goods worldwide. Container ships transport a variety of cargo, such as consumer items, raw
materials, and industrial equipment, on regular routes between major ports. Shipping lines
manage these vessels, and it is their duty to keep the timetables up to date and make sure that
cargo is transported safely and effectively.
The global transportation of commodities has been transformed by liner shipping, which has
made it quicker, more dependable, and more economical than in the past. It has been essential in
promoting international trade and economic expansion by giving businesses access to new
markets and allowing customers to purchase a greater variety of items at more affordable costs.
Characteristics of liner shipping:
 Regular Schedules: Liner shipping operates on regular schedules, with ships departing
from and arriving at designated ports on specific days. This enables shippers to plan and
schedule their deliveries with greater certainty and predictability.
 Fixed Routes: Liner shipping follows fixed routes, with ships travelling between major
ports along a pre-determined path. This makes it easier for shippers to identify the most
efficient and cost-effective routes for their cargo.
 Standardized Containers: Liner shipping uses standardized containers, which can be
easily loaded and unloaded from ships and transferred between different modes of
transportation (e.g. ship to truck, truck to train). This helps to reduce handling costs and
minimize the risk of cargo damage.
 Large Vessels: Liner shipping typically employs large container ships, which can carry
thousands of containers at once. This enables shipping lines to achieve economies of
scale and reduce transportation costs.
 Global Reach: Liner shipping connects ports around the world, providing access to new
markets and enabling shippers to transport goods to almost any location.
 Intermodal Connectivity: Liner shipping is often part of a larger intermodal transportation
network, which includes trucks, trains, and other modes of transportation. This enables
cargo to be transported seamlessly between different modes of transportation, ensuring
efficient and reliable delivery.
Types of liner shipping services
There are several types of liner shipping services available, which can be broadly classified into
the following categories:
 1. Container Liner Services: This is the most common type of liner shipping service,
where cargo is transported in standardized containers on regular schedules between
designated ports. Container liner services are often provided by large shipping
companies, which operate a fleet of container ships on pre-determined routes.
2. Roll-on/Roll-off (RoRo) Liner Services: RoRo liner services are used to transport
wheeled cargo, such as cars, trucks, and trailers, on specialized ships that have built-in
ramps. These ramps enable vehicles to be driven onto and off the ship, making it easier
and faster to load and unload cargo.
3. Breakbulk Liner Services: Breakbulk liner services are used to transport cargo that is
too large or too heavy to be transported in containers or on RoRo ships. This type of
service is typically used for project cargo, such as heavy machinery, industrial equipment,
and oversized components.
4. Multi-Purpose Liner Services: Multi-purpose liner services are designed to transport a
range of cargo types, including containers, RoRo cargo, and breakbulk cargo. These
services offer greater flexibility than specialized liner services and can adapt to changing
cargo requirements.
5. Express Liner Services: Express liner services are designed to provide fast, reliable
transportation of time-sensitive cargo. These services often operate on a premium pricing
model and offer faster transit times and higher levels of service than standard liner
services.
Liner shipping examples
There are many examples of liner shipping companies that operate around the world. Here are a
few examples:
1. Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC): MSC is a Swiss-based shipping company
that operates a fleet of over 500 container ships and serves more than 200 ports around
the world. They are number 1 right now.
2. Maersk Line: Maersk Line is one of the largest container shipping companies in the
world, operating a fleet of over 700 vessels and serving more than 130 countries.
3. CMA CGM: CMA CGM is a French-based shipping company that operates a fleet of
over 500 vessels and serves more than 420 ports in more than 160 countries.
4. Hapag-Lloyd: Hapag-Lloyd is a German-based shipping company that operates a fleet
of over 200 vessels and serves more than 130 ports around the world.
5. Wallenius Wilhelmsen: Wallenius Wilhelmsen is a Norwegian-based shipping company
that specializes in RoRo and breakbulk cargo. They operate a fleet of around 130 vessels
and serve more than 15 ports around the world.
These are just a few examples of the many liner shipping companies that operate globally. Each
company has its own unique strengths and areas of expertise, and the choice of shipping line will
depend on the specific needs of the shipper and the nature of the cargo being transported.
Reference:
1. Brooks M. (2000) “Sea Change in Liner Shipping: Regulation and Managerial Decision-Making
in a global Industry”, Pergamon. Cariou P. (2000) “Les alliances stratégiques dans le transport
maritime de lignes régulières: Efficacité ou pouvoir de marché ? ”, Thèse de doctorat, Université
de Nantes.
2. Haralambides E. H., Benacchio M., Cariou P. (2002) “Costs, Benefits and Pricing of Dedicated
Container Terminals”, International Journal of Maritime Economics, Vol. 4-1, March, 21-34.
3. Isemar (2007) “Les nouvelles échelles du transport maritime”, Note de Synthèse Isemar, 31,
Janvier.
4. Tirole J. (1998) “Theory of Industrial Organization”, Cambridge Massachusetts: The MIT Press.
Williamson O.E. (1975) “Market and Hierarchies: Analysis and Antitrust Implications”, The Free
Press, New York.