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 of key importance. 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.
Top six shipping stocks for 2026
OTC: AMKBY
Key Data Points
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)
NYSE: MATX
Key Data Points
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 and custom-designed barges. Investors interested in multimodal transportation might also benefit from its use of 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.
NYSE: ZIM
Key Data Points
NYSE: GSL
Key Data Points
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 early 2026. For investors who believe in the turnaround, Genco could be an attractive (although a bit more speculative) investment.
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.
Trends in the shipping industry
The shipping industry was going through a rebalancing in early 2026. After years of COVID-19 pandemic-driven chaos and geopolitical windfalls, the sector faces a structural shift where oversupply, aggressive environmental enforcement, and AI-driven efficiency are the new dominant forces.
Here are the key trends shaping the industry today:
- Structural oversupply and rate normalization: A massive wave of new ship orders placed in 2021 is beginning to see the water. Global fleet capacity is expected to grow by 3.6% to 5% in 2026. Without a corresponding growth in demand, rates are likely to fall this year.
- Decarbonization: As of January 2026, the E.U. Emissions Trading System covered 100% of emissions for voyages within the E.U. Shipping lines must now fully pay for their carbon footprint, a cost they are passing directly to shippers.
- AI-driven scheduling: Technology is slowly replacing paper and pen for booking vessels and securing port space, which should help drive margins in the years to come.
- Geopolitics: A wave of tariffs, port fees, and sanctions is changing the economics of the industry and could change long-term shipping patterns.
Are shipping stocks right for you?
Marine shippers operate massive vessels that are incapable 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 multidecade 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.
Factors to consider before investing in shipping stocks
Shipping stocks are notoriously volatile. And because the industry is the transportation behind most of global trade, it is sometimes seen as the canary in the coal mine for the global economy.
Here are some factors to consider:
- Order books: Unlike in tech, you cannot easily scale shipping overnight. It takes years to build vessels. With that in mind, it is important to look at the balance, or lack of balance, between supply and demand. Simply put, this balance determines pricing, and pricing determines profitability.
- Spot rates versus contract rates: Shipping companies tend to sell their services in two ways. Spot rates are market prices for immediate shipping and can be highly volatile. But they do allow companies to profit during disruptions, such as when the Suez Canal was closed. Contract rates are long-term agreements that provide stable, predictable cash flow but can lock in lower profits if spot rates suddenly spike.
- Geopolitical issues: Bad news is often good news for shipping stocks, assuming global trade continues. Times of uncertainty tend to lead to higher prices.
- Environmental regulations: Historically, ocean-going vessels have been major polluters. In Europe and elsewhere, new regulations are requiring companies to clean up. That is creating higher costs for new vessels but also offers opportunities to companies with younger, more fuel-efficient fleets.
- Financial health: New ships are expensive and are usually bought with debt. Pay close attention to balance sheets. Highly leveraged companies can get in trouble when market conditions turn against them.
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FAQ
Shipping stocks FAQ
About the Author
Lou Whiteman has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool recommends Zim Integrated Shipping Services. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.
