What is the best shipping stock to buy?

Investing isn't a one-size-fits-all endeavor, and there is no one best stock for every single investor. Before buying any stock, an investor should consider their goals and risk tolerance and choose a stock that aligns with their preferences. For those seeking a solid, reliable company that will ebb and flow with the economic tides, A.P. Moller Maersk could be a good option. However, investors willing to take on more risk in pursuit of more income would likely find Genco Shipping & Trading an enticing option.

Are shipping stocks good investments?

Shipping plays a vital role in the global economy, providing some reliability to shipping stocks. But investors need to understand that the industry is highly cyclical, and companies that take on too much risk or fail to navigate rough waters carefully could end up issuing an SOS call. Investors buying shipping stocks should limit their exposure to a small portion of a well-diversified portfolio and understand that turbulence is likely over time.

What is a shipping stock?

Shipping stocks are part of the broader global transportation field. Shipping usually refers to global trade, not transcontinental traffic, and is generally used to identify companies that operate large, ocean-going vessels and support those efforts.

Should I invest in shipping stocks?

Shipping stocks are not ideal for growth-focused investors, and given the industry's cyclical nature, investors should not put their entire net worth into them. But the industry is an important global bellwether that cannot easily be replaced. If you are looking for foundational companies that are closely tied to trade and economic activity, shipping stocks could be worth your attention.

Why do shipping stocks pay high dividends?

Many shipping stocks began as family partnerships and today pay high dividends because the family owners rely on them as their primary source of income. Shipping companies incur massive upfront costs and generate steady cash flow once they begin operating and when times are good.

Is shipping a growing industry?

Shipping tends to grow at the overall rate of the global economy, since a significant portion of economic output has to be moved from one place to another.

What are the 4 types of shipping markets?

The four types of shipping markets include:The freight, or primary, market, which is the actual service of moving cargo for shippersThe sale and purchase market, where existing ships are bought and sold among ownersThe new build market, which is the market for new vessel constructionThe demo, or scrap, market is where ships are sold to specialized yards to be broken down for steel scrap

6 Best Shipping Stocks in 2026 and How to Invest

Invest in the businesses that operate the massive vessels that make global trade possible.

By Matthew DiLallo – Updated Aug 11, 2026 at 1:58 PM EST | Fact-checked by Frank Bass

Key Points

Shipping stocks are vital, often overlooked investments until disruptions highlight their importance.
Investors can gain from the essential role that shipping stocks play in global trade.
Top shipping stocks A.P. Moller Maersk and Genco are among those worthy of investment consideration.

Shipping stocks are publicly traded companies focused on the global marine shipping sector. They tend to fly under the radar until things go wrong. In recent years, we've been repeatedly reminded of how essential maritime 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 industry's essential nature. These are companies the world simply cannot do without, and shipping is key to economic growth. According to the UN Trade and Development's Global Trade Update for 2025, global trade value rose 7%, exceeding $35 trillion for the first time. Publicly traded shipping companies transported much of that value, making them essential to global trade.

Top six shipping stocks for 2026

There is a wide range of shipping stocks to choose from, with a variety of international connections. Investors can look to giants like A.P. Moller Maersk or specialists such as Kirby, Matson, Star Bulk, Global Ship Lease, and Genco.

Here's a breakdown of some of the best options.

Loading paragraph...

Ticker Information Table
Name and ticker	Market capMarket cap calculated using publicly traded shares outstanding only. Does not include unlisted, private, or dual-class non-traded shares. Implied market cap may vary.	Current price	Dividend yield
A.p. Møller - Mærsk A/s (OTC:AMKBY)	$13.1 billion	$13.02	2.78%
Matson (NYSE:MATX)	$6.2 billion	$205.03	0.70%
Star Bulk Carriers (NASDAQ:SBLK)	$3.2 billion	$27.68	3.62%
Kirby (NYSE:KEX)	$7.0 billion	$132.45	0.00%
Global Ship Lease (NYSE:GSL)	$1.5 billion	$40.85	5.73%
Genco Shipping & Trading (NYSE:GNK)	$1.1 billion	$24.50	4.59%

Data as of Aug 11, 2026. Showing 6 of 6 total entries.

Loading ticker_table...

1. A.P. Moller Maersk

A.P. Moller Maersk, typically referred to as Maersk, is the world's largest publicly traded shipping company. The Netherlands-based company has operations spanning the globe, offering investors access to many facets of the transportation industry, including shipping, port terminal operations, and supply chain management.

Loading paragraph...

OTC: AMKBY

A.p. Møller - Mærsk A/s

Today's Change

(-1.70%) $-0.23

Current Price

$13.02

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$13B

Day's Range

$12.99 - $13.10

52wk Range

$9.23 - $14.32

Volume

67.8K

Avg Vol

92.7K

Dividend Yield

2.78%

Loading company_card...

Its shipping business operates a fleet of over 700 vessels, including several massive ships capable of carrying 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 across the business cycle, and they give the company the 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 technology, including the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to streamline cargo flows and improve overall efficiency.

Loading paragraph...

Supply Chain Management (SCM)

Supply chain management is the act of overseeing and directing the entire process of creating a product or service, getting it to the customer, and handling returns if needed.

Loading definition...

2. Matson

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.

Loading paragraph...

NYSE: MATX

Matson

Today's Change

(-1.75%) $-3.65

Current Price

$205.03

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$6.2B

Day's Range

$202.63 - $209.93

52wk Range

$86.97 - $230.74

Volume

211.8K

Avg Vol

294.3K

Gross Margin

23.02%

Dividend Yield

0.70%

Loading company_card...

Matson is one of the more diversified companies on this list in terms of ship types, 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 with exposure to both the global shipping boom and the reliable business of ferrying freight to U.S. markets, where water (not highways) is the most effective means of transportation.

Loading paragraph...

3. Star Bulk Carriers

Star Bulk is a Greek shipping line that trades in the U.S. and operates a fleet of 141 dry bulk vessels. The company's fleet of massive ships transports commodities, such as grains, fertilizers, minerals, and steel products, around the world. It's ships transport over 80 million tons of dry bulk cargoes each year.

Loading paragraph...

NASDAQ: SBLK

Star Bulk Carriers

Today's Change

(-2.60%) $-0.74

Current Price

$27.68

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$3.2B

Day's Range

$27.29 - $28.36

52wk Range

$16.72 - $29.50

Volume

1.2M

Avg Vol

1.3M

Gross Margin

35.36%

Dividend Yield

3.62%

Loading company_card...

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's fleet has an average age of 12.2 years, making it one of the most cost-efficient dry bulk operators on the planet.

4. Kirby Corporation

Kirby Corporation is the largest premier tank barge operator in the U.S. It transports bulk liquids throughout the Mississippi River System, on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, and along all three U.S. coasts. Kirby's inland tank fleet represents 28% of the U.S. inland tank barge capacity. Its fleet consists of over 1,100 tank barges with 25.2 million barrels of capacity and more than 290 towboats. Kirby's coastal tank barge fleet consists of 27 tank barges and 24 tugboats. It also operates several offshore barges and tugboats.

Loading paragraph...

NYSE: KEX

Kirby

Today's Change

(-0.03%) $-0.04

Current Price

$132.45

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$7.0B

Day's Range

$131.51 - $135.34

52wk Range

$79.52 - $157.69

Volume

210.7K

Avg Vol

616K

Gross Margin

25.36%

Loading company_card...

Kirby transports petrochemicals, black oil, refined petroleum products, and agricultural products to inland and U.S. coastal markets.

5. Global Ship Lease

Global Ship Lease is a British-based company that owns a fleet of 71 container ships, which it charters to operators under long-term, fixed-rate agreements. The company is set up to provide the extra capacity large shippers need when times are good.

Loading paragraph...

NYSE: GSL

Global Ship Lease

Today's Change

(-2.47%) $-1.04

Current Price

$40.85

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$1.5B

Day's Range

$40.12 - $41.90

52wk Range

$27.28 - $44.69

Volume

587.7K

Avg Vol

332K

Gross Margin

52.24%

Dividend Yield

5.73%

Loading company_card...

During tough times in recent years, when uncertainty was high, 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. It also bought 15 mid-size newbuild container ships in June 2026, with deliveries scheduled between the fourth quarter of 2028 and the first quarter of 2030. It has already secured multi-year charters for these ships, which will generate more than $1 billion in annual adjusted EBITDA upon full delivery.

Global Ship Leases' business can be more exposed to cycles than a typical shipper, since operators will use their wholly owned assets before turning 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 6% makes it a good choice for income-focused investors.

6. Genco Shipping & Trading

Genco is a dry bulk operator with a fleet of more than 40 ships that transports commodities worldwide. 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.

Loading paragraph...

NYSE: GNK

Genco Shipping & Trading

Today's Change

(-2.23%) $-0.56

Current Price

$24.50

Key Data Points

Market Cap

$1.1B

Day's Range

$24.32 - $25.07

52wk Range

$15.55 - $27.25

Volume

307K

Avg Vol

350.3K

Gross Margin

24.83%

Dividend Yield

4.59%

Loading company_card...

For years, Genco had a reputation as an underperformer, but management is slowly making progress in convincing investors that 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 expanding its fleet and managing debt is challenging, but Genco is one of the best dividend stocks in shipping today, with a yield north of 10% in mid-2026. For investors who believe in the turnaround, Genco could be an attractive (though somewhat speculative) investment.

How to invest in shipping stocks

Open your brokerage app: Log in to your brokerage account where you handle your investments. If you don't have one yet, take a look at our favorite brokers and trading platforms to find the right one for you.
Search for the stock: Enter the ticker 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.

Loading paragraph...

Benefits and risks of investing in shipping stocks

Benefits:

Massive dividend yields: When shipping rates boom, companies often distribute massive chunks of their profits to shareholders.
Geopolitical upside: Regional conflicts or shipping channel disruptions force ships to take longer routes, artificially shrinking available vessel supply and causing daily charter rates to spike.
Low valuations: Because the market views the industry as highly volatile, shipping stocks often trade at incredibly low price-to-earnings multiples relative to their cash flow.
Green fleet advantages: Modern companies adopting AI-driven routing and cleaner alternative fuels can lower their operating costs and command a premium from climate-conscious clients.

Risks:

Sudden unwind risk: A quick resolution to a geopolitical conflict or trade bottleneck can normalize supply chains overnight, causing highly inflated shipping rates to collapse.
The overcapacity trap: Companies frequently over-order new vessels during boom times, leading to a flood of new ship deliveries years later that completely outpaces global demand.
Severe cyclicality: Sector profitability is entirely tied to global economic health, making stocks highly vulnerable to manufacturing recessions, tariff wars, and declines in consumer spending.
High operational costs: Shipping operators face intense financial pressure from volatile bunker fuel prices, rising port fees, and the cost of upgrades to meet stricter international carbon regulations.

Methodology: How these stocks were chosen

There were roughly 40 publicly traded companies (on major U.S. exchanges) operating in the global marine shipping industry in mid-2026. They range in size from global giants to tiny microcap stocks. This group offered investors various ways to invest in the global marine shipping sector, with a focus on larger shippers. Scale matters in the shipping sector as it puts a company in a better position to navigate the potential rough waters of rapidly shifting market conditions.

Should you invest in shipping stocks?

Marine shippers operate massive vessels that are incapable of going 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 seek from tech stocks. Still, 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 help keep you afloat when more high-flying sectors of the economy run into a patch of rough water.

Loading paragraph...

Best Stocks to Buy in August 2026

Ten stocks that could be great buys for long-term investors looking to put their money to work.

6 Best Transportation ETFs for 2026 and How to Invest

Exchange-traded funds composed of transportation companies can help your portfolio fly.

5 Best Supply Chain Stocks for 2026 and How to Invest

Supply chain stocks have come to the forefront in recent years because global supply chains have come under severe pressure.

5 Best Metals Stocks for 2026 and How to Invest

A closer look at this subgroup of the basic materials sector and some of the best metals stocks to invest in.

Loading hub_pages...

Investing in shipping stocks: FAQ

Loading faq...

About the Author

Matt DiLallo has been a contributing Motley Fool stock analyst specializing in the energy, industrials, and real estate sectors since 2012. He also covers dividend-paying stocks, pre-IPO companies, ETFs, and other investing topics. He holds an MBA from Liberty University.

TMFmd19

@MatthewDiLallo

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.

6 Best Shipping Stocks in 2026 and How to Invest

Invest in the businesses that operate the massive vessels that make global trade possible.

Key Points

Top six shipping stocks for 2026

1. A.P. Moller Maersk

Key Data Points

2. Matson

Key Data Points

3. Star Bulk Carriers

Key Data Points

4. Kirby Corporation

Key Data Points

5. Global Ship Lease

Key Data Points

6. Genco Shipping & Trading

Key Data Points

How to invest in shipping stocks

Benefits and risks of investing in shipping stocks

Methodology: How these stocks were chosen

Should you invest in shipping stocks?

Best Stocks to Buy in August 2026

6 Best Transportation ETFs for 2026 and How to Invest

5 Best Supply Chain Stocks for 2026 and How to Invest

5 Best Metals Stocks for 2026 and How to Invest

Investing in shipping stocks: FAQ

What is the best shipping stock to buy?

What is the best shipping stock to buy?

Are shipping stocks good investments?

Are shipping stocks good investments?

What is a shipping stock?

What is a shipping stock?

Should I invest in shipping stocks?

Should I invest in shipping stocks?

Why do shipping stocks pay high dividends?

Why do shipping stocks pay high dividends?

Is shipping a growing industry?

Is shipping a growing industry?

What are the 4 types of shipping markets?

What are the 4 types of shipping markets?

About the Author

Read Next

Stocks Mentioned

Motley Fool Stock Advisor’s Latest Pick

Premium Investing Services

Top six shipping stocks for 2026

1. A.P. Moller Maersk

2. Matson

Key Data Points

3. Star Bulk Carriers

4. Kirby Corporation

Key Data Points

5. Global Ship Lease

6. Genco Shipping & Trading

How to invest in shipping stocks

Benefits and risks of investing in shipping stocks

Methodology: How these stocks were chosen

Should you invest in shipping stocks?

Best Stocks to Buy in August 2026

6 Best Transportation ETFs for 2026 and How to Invest

5 Best Supply Chain Stocks for 2026 and How to Invest

5 Best Metals Stocks for 2026 and How to Invest

Investing in shipping stocks: FAQ

What is the best shipping stock to buy?

What is the best shipping stock to buy?

Are shipping stocks good investments?

Are shipping stocks good investments?

What is a shipping stock?

What is a shipping stock?

Should I invest in shipping stocks?

Should I invest in shipping stocks?

Why do shipping stocks pay high dividends?

Why do shipping stocks pay high dividends?

Is shipping a growing industry?

Is shipping a growing industry?

What are the 4 types of shipping markets?

What are the 4 types of shipping markets?

Key Data Points

Key Data Points

Key Data Points

Key Data Points