Shipping stocks fly under the radar until things go wrong. In recent years, we've repeatedly been reminded of how essential marine shipping is to the global economy.
When normal supply chains are disrupted, it can take weeks to get sea cargo ships and containers back into position. Any delays can ripple through the economy, causing manufacturers to slow production and retailers to have only limited inventories available for sale.
For investors, the takeaway should be that there is value in the essential nature of this industry. These are companies the world simply cannot do without, and shipping is one of them. Global trade value hit more than $33 trillion in 2024, and much of that cargo was transported via publicly traded companies.
There's risk to venturing into these waters, however. Shipping stocks are notoriously cyclical, and companies can get in trouble during downturns due to the leverage that many use to build their fleets. When demand surges, the stocks tend to go along for the ride, with many industry market caps briefly doubling compared to just a few years ago.
More recently, trade wars and the threat of a global economic slowdown have caused valuations to ebb.
Investors interested in shipping stocks should focus on the best-run companies with a proven track record or a competitive advantage to avoid being capsized by rough economic seas.
Six shipping stocks to watch
1. A.P. Moller Maersk
OTC: AMKBY
Key Data Points
A.P. Moller Maersk, typically referred to as Maersk, is the largest publicly traded shipping company in the world. The Netherlands-based company has operations spanning the globe, and it is engaged in many different facets of the transportation industry, including shipping, port terminal operations, and supply chain management.
Its shipping business operates a fleet of almost 700 vessels, including a number of massive ships that can hold 18,000 containers each. Its terminal business has a presence in some of the world's largest ports, including Rotterdam, Los Angeles, Shanghai, and Singapore.
Maersk's size and scale make it more resilient throughout the business cycle, and it gives the company resources to invest in future technology and innovation. For more than a decade, Maersk has been experimenting with eco-friendly options such as algae biofuel. The company is also a leader in digital warehousing and distribution tech, including the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline cargo flows and make the overall operation more efficient.
Supply Chain Management (SCM)
2. Matson
NYSE: MATX
Key Data Points
Matson's history dates back to the late 1800s when the company was formed to provide a link between the U.S. West Coast and Hawaii. Today, it remains one of the primary transporters of goods to U.S. Pacific territories and Alaska. It also offers premium, expedited service between the U.S. mainland and China.
Matson is one of the more diversified companies on this list in terms of types of ships, with a fleet of more than a dozen vessels, including container ships, custom-designed barges, and combination vessels designed to carry wheeled cargo such as cars, trucks, and even railroad cars.
Matson also operates a logistics arm that works with customers to help route shipments.
With Matson, investors get a stock that has exposure to both the global shipping boom and the reliable business of ferrying freight to U.S. markets, where water (and not highways) is the most effective means of transportation.
3. Star Bulk Carriers
Star Bulk is a Greek shipping line that trades in the U.S. and operates a fleet of 137 dry bulk vessels. The company's fleet of massive ships transports commodities, such as grains, fertilizers, minerals, and steel products, around the world.
In shipping, the best companies tend to differentiate themselves by the quality of their fleets, including the age of their ships. Newer vessels tend to require less maintenance and typically are more fuel-efficient than older ships. Star Bulk operates three sizes of vessels with an average age of less than 10 years, making it one of the most cost-efficient dry bulk operators on the planet.
Asset
4. Zim Integrated Shipping Services
NYSE: ZIM
Key Data Points
Zim is one of the leading operators of cargo vessels, the massive ships that transport large containers used to carry products for manufacturing and retail customers. Zim operates a fleet of more than 140 vessels, including transport ships.
This is a boom/bust business, but Zim's relatively young fleet gives it an advantage in terms of fuel efficiency and other maintenance costs. The company is also well-positioned on some of the world's most important shipping lanes, including the Asia-to-Europe routes.
When demand cools, cash flow can quickly turn negative. Zim and its competitors have to react quickly to trends to avoid being capsized. However, Zim has been shown to be well-managed, making it one of the more exciting investment stories in the shipping sector.
5. Global Ship Lease
NYSE: GSL
Key Data Points
Global Ship Lease is a British-based company that owns a fleet of 69 container ships that it charters to operators under long-term, fixed-rate charters. The company is set up to provide the extra capacity large shippers need when times are good.
During tough times in recent years, when there was a lot more uncertainty, Global Ship expanded its fleet by about 50% by acquiring 23 ships in a buyer's market. The ships generated more than $1 billion in earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) in their first year of ownership, primarily via leases with large operators such as Maersk.
This is a business that can be more exposed to cycles than a normal shipper since operators will use their wholly owned assets before they turn to leased ships when demand isn't strong. But if Global Ship Lease can acquire ships at good prices, it can perform in any environment, and its dividend yield of more than 5% makes it a good choice for income-focused investors.
6. Genco Shipping & Trading
NYSE: GNK
Key Data Points
Genco is a dry bulk operator with a fleet of more than 40 ships focused on transporting commodities around the globe. The company works closely with its customers, providing an in-house commercial operating platform to help manage shipments of iron ore, grain, steel, cement, and other dry goods.
For years, Genco had the reputation of an underperformer, but management is slowly making progress in convincing investors it is on the rise. In early 2021, Genco announced a plan to pay down its debt and focus on returning cash to shareholders. The company has since reduced its total debt by about 80%..
Keeping the dividend strong while still expanding its fleet and managing debt is a challenge, but today, Genco is one of the best dividend stocks in shipping, with a yield north of 3% in mid-2025. For investors who believe in the turnaround, Genco could be an attractive (although a bit more speculative) investment.
Related investing topics
Are shipping stocks right for you?
Marine shippers operate massive vessels that aren't capable of going nearly as fast as the speedboats some people take out on weekends, but those large boats are also much less likely to take on water if they hit a big wave. That can also be a good way to think about these stocks.
You are unlikely to get the sort of sustained, multiyear, spectacular returns from shippers that investors attempt to find with tech stocks, but there is also a much more stable underlying business with a multi-decade track record and resilience through the business cycle. These stocks are the ballast, not the speedboat.
For those seeking a diversified portfolio, shipping stocks can offer both stability and income that will help keep you afloat at times when more high-flying sectors of the economy run into a patch of rough water.
How to invest in shipping stocks
- Open your brokerage app: Log in to your brokerage account where you handle your investments.
- Search for the stock: Enter the ticker or company name into the search bar to bring up the stock's trading page.
- Decide how many shares to buy: Consider your investment goals and how much of your portfolio you want to allocate to this stock.
- Select order type: Choose between a market order to buy at the current price or a limit order to specify the maximum price you're willing to pay.
- Submit your order: Confirm the details and submit your buy order.
- Review your purchase: Check your portfolio to ensure your order was filled as expected and adjust your investment strategy accordingly.
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