Ship Leasing Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Lease Type (Financial Lease, Full-Service Lease), By Type (Real-Time Lease, Periodic Tenancy, Bareboat Charter, Other Types), By Application (Container Ships, Bulk Carriers), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 15.78 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	12.08%
Fastest Growing Segment	Full Service Lease
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 31.28 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Ship Leasing Market will grow from USD 15.78 Billion in 2025 to USD 31.28 Billion by 2031 at a 12.08% CAGR. The Global Ship Leasing Market involves the chartering of vessels by shipowners to operators for a specified duration, enabling lessees to utilize fleet capacity without the significant capital expenditure of direct ownership. This sector is fundamentally driven by the capital-intensive nature of maritime trade, which necessitates balance sheet flexibility, and the growing requirement for modern vessels that comply with stringent environmental regulations. These structural drivers encourage operators to adopt asset-light business models, providing a stable foundation for leasing demand that transcends temporary industry trends.

However, the market faces a significant challenge regarding supply-demand imbalances, particularly where aggressive fleet expansion threatens to suppress charter rates. According to BIMCO, in 2025, the global container ship supply is projected to rise by 6.2%, a rate that risks outpacing trade growth and creating market saturation. This oversupply creates volatility for lessors, who must carefully manage asset acquisition and lease terms to maintain profitability amidst fluctuating utilization levels.

Key Market Drivers

The expansion of international seaborne trade volumes acts as a fundamental catalyst for the global ship leasing market by necessitating rapid fleet augmentation to accommodate rising cargo throughput. As global supply chains recover and emerging markets industrialize, the demand for containerized goods, dry bulk commodities, and energy resources intensifies, forcing operators to secure additional tonnage quickly without depleting cash reserves. Leasing structures provide the requisite agility, allowing shipping lines to scale operations in alignment with trade flows while mitigating the risks associated with long-term asset ownership. This correlation between trade activity and leasing demand is evidenced by recent traffic data; according to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), October 2024, in the 'Review of Maritime Transport 2024', international maritime trade volume grew by 2.4% in 2023, signaling a renewed upward trajectory in shipping demand that supports the leasing sector.

Simultaneously, the retrenchment of traditional banking sectors from ship finance has fundamentally altered the capital landscape, accelerating the adoption of sale and leaseback agreements. European commercial banks, historically the primary lenders to the maritime industry, have significantly reduced their exposure due to stricter capital adequacy requirements and risk aversion, creating a liquidity vacuum that leasing companies have stepped in to fill. This shift allows shipowners to unlock equity trapped in their vessels and refinance debt, making leasing a critical liquidity management tool rather than just an acquisition strategy. According to Marine Link, July 2024, the aggregate ship finance portfolio of the top 40 global banks stood at USD 284.3 billion at the end of 2023, representing a constrained lending environment that drives borrowers toward alternative leasing solutions. Furthermore, the pressure to modernize fleets adds to this capital intensity; according to DNV, September 2024, in the 'Maritime Forecast to 2050', approximately 93% of the global fleet by ship count currently remains reliant on conventional fossil fuels, underscoring the massive investment—and subsequent leasing demand—required for the impending green transition.

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Key Market Challenges

The supply-demand imbalance, specifically driven by aggressive fleet expansion, acts as a considerable constraint on the growth of the Global Ship Leasing Market. When the delivery of new vessels outpaces the demand for maritime trade, the market experiences a saturation of available tonnage. This oversupply creates a buyer’s market, shifting leverage to operators who can negotiate significantly lower charter rates. Consequently, lessors face reduced profit margins and revenue volatility, as they must compete in a crowded environment to secure employment for their assets. The inability to command premium rates due to excess inventory directly reduces the return on investment for shipowners and limits capital availability for future expansion.

This influx of capacity is highlighted by recent data regarding fleet development. According to BIMCO, in May 2024, the global container ship fleet was projected to grow by 9.3% for the year, driven by a record level of new vessel deliveries. This substantial increase in supply, without a proportional rise in cargo volume, exacerbates competition among lessors. The resulting pressure forces leasing companies to accept shorter lease durations or reduced rates to maintain utilization, thereby hampering the overall financial stability and growth potential of the sector.

Key Market Trends

The growing dominance of Chinese financial leasing institutions is reshaping the sector's capital structure, effectively filling the liquidity void left by divesting Western banks. These institutions have evolved into primary lenders, favoring finance lease structures that offer shipowners essential balance sheet flexibility. This trend represents a systemic geographical pivot as Chinese lessors aggressively expand their portfolios through competitive sale-and-leaseback transactions, moving beyond simple funding to become integral stakeholders in global fleet management. According to Freight + Fortune, May 2025, Chinese lessors held approximately USD 100 billion in shipping assets, accounting for more than 15% of the global ship finance market. This massive capital injection is now critical for sustaining fleet renewal amidst tightening credit conditions in traditional European banking hubs.

Simultaneously, a surge in financing demand for dual-fuel and low-carbon vessels is driven by stringent decarbonization mandates. Lessors are prioritizing "green" tonnage to mitigate the asset depreciation risks associated with conventional ships, recognizing that future regulatory compliance will dictate residual values. This dynamic is creating a two-tier market where energy-efficient vessels secure premium lease rates and favorable financing terms compared to their fossil-fuel counterparts. According to DNV, January 2025, the number of orders for alternative-fuelled vessels increased by 38% in 2024 compared to the previous year, highlighting a decisive capital shift. Consequently, leasing companies are compelled to integrate sustainability metrics into their acquisition strategies to ensure long-term portfolio profitability.

Segmental Insights

The Full Service Lease segment represents the fastest-growing category in the Global Ship Leasing Market, driven by the increasing demand for operational efficiency and risk mitigation. Lessees favor this model as it transfers the burden of maintenance, crewing, and technical management to the lessor, ensuring seamless adherence to complex environmental standards set by the International Maritime Organization. This arrangement allows shipping companies to concentrate on commercial logistics while avoiding the volatility of vessel upkeep costs. Consequently, the preference for comprehensive lease structures continues to rise among operators seeking streamlined fleet management solutions.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific leads the global ship leasing market due to its extensive volume of international trade and robust shipbuilding capabilities. The region benefits from the strong presence of major export economies, including China, Japan, and South Korea, which generates consistent demand for cargo vessels. Additionally, the expansion of regional financial leasing institutions increases the availability of capital for fleet acquisition. Ongoing adherence to environmental regulations established by the International Maritime Organization further drives the leasing of modern vessels to ensure operational compliance, cementing the region's market position.

Recent Developments

• In December 2024, Global Ship Lease announced an agreement to purchase four high-reefer ECO-9,115 TEU containerships for an aggregate price of $274 million. These vessels, with an average age of 8.5 years, were secured with attached time charters to a leading liner operator, ensuring immediate cash flow upon delivery. The company arranged ten-year financing for the acquisition at a rate of SOFR plus 2.50%. This strategic move was designed to renew the fleet with high-specification, younger vessels while maintaining a disciplined investment approach. The transaction highlighted the company's ability to execute accretive growth opportunities in the ship leasing sector.
• In October 2024, Seaspan Corporation finalized charter agreements with Orient Overseas Container Lines regarding six new 13,000 TEU container vessels. The deal, valued at a maximum aggregate amount of RMB 11.2 billion, involved the long-term leasing of these ships for a period of fifteen years. Delivery of the newbuilds was scheduled to commence between the fourth quarter of 2026 and the first quarter of 2028. This collaboration allowed the liner to secure modern, energy-efficient tonnage to enhance its competitive structure. For the lessor, the agreement represented a significant expansion of its contracted revenue stream and reinforced its position as a leading independent owner.
• In July 2024, Ocean Yield marked its strategic entry into the liquefied natural gas sector by acquiring an indirect interest in France LNG Shipping. The transaction involved taking over a stake previously held by an infrastructure fund, providing the company with ownership interests in modern LNG carriers employed on long-term charters. The deal was estimated to add approximately $840 million to the company's EBITDA backlog, significantly increasing its revenue visibility. This investment aligned with the company's mandate to invest in modern assets with stable cash flows and expanded its portfolio into a critical segment of the energy transition market.
• In March 2024, SFL Corporation agreed to acquire three new LR2 product tankers for a total purchase price of approximately $230 million. The vessels, which were under construction in China, featured advanced eco-design specifications to meet modern environmental standards. Concurrent with the acquisition, the company secured long-term time charters for a minimum of five years with a leading energy and commodities firm. This transaction added nearly $200 million to the company's fixed-rate charter backlog. The deal underscored the company's strategy of expanding its asset base with modern tonnage backed by strong counterparties in the global shipping market.

Key Market Players

• A.P. Møller - Mærsk A/S
• Global Ship Lease, Inc.
• Hamburg Commercial Bank AG
• First Ship Lease Trust
• Galbraiths Ltd.
• ICBC Co., Ltd.
• Minsheng Financial Leasing Co., Ltd.
• CMB Financial Leasing CO., LTD.
• Bothra Group
• MUFG Bank, Ltd

By Lease Type	By Type	By Application	By Region
Financial Lease Full-Service Lease	Real-Time Lease Periodic Tenancy Bareboat Charter Other Types	Container Ships Bulk Carriers	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Ship Leasing Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Ship Leasing Market , By Lease Type:

• Financial Lease
• Full-Service Lease

• Ship Leasing Market , By Type:

• Real-Time Lease
• Periodic Tenancy
• Bareboat Charter
• Other Types

• Ship Leasing Market , By Application:

• Container Ships
• Bulk Carriers

• Ship Leasing Market , By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE