U.S. Exchanges

List of Publicly Traded Shipping Stocks

Comprehensive directory of marine shipping companies listed on U.S. exchanges, including container ships, tankers, dry bulk carriers, LNG carriers, and diversified operators. Updated for 2026 market conditions.

39
Active Shipping Stocks
$42.8B
Total Market Cap
6
Sub-Industries
Apr 2026
Last Updated

This page is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not investment advice. Stock prices and market data fluctuate. Always conduct your own due diligence and consult a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Here is a list of publicly traded shipping stocks traded on U.S. exchanges. The marine shipping industry plays a critical role in global trade, transporting manufactured goods, commodities, energy resources, and more.

Shipping stocks span multiple sub-sectors with distinct dynamics: container shipping handles the majority of the world’s manufactured goods, while tankers move crude oil and refined products, dry bulk carriers transport iron ore, coal, and grains, and LNG carriers support the growing natural gas trade.

Many companies in this sector are headquartered outside the U.S., resulting in a large number of small- and mid-cap listings. Performance is influenced by global trade volumes, fuel costs, geopolitical events, and commodity cycles.

A full list of publicly traded shipping companies can be found by scrolling down or you can access a list of the companies in each group by the industry links on this page.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways for Shipping Stocks in 2026

01
Market Leadership
Kirby Corporation (KEX) leads with approximately $7.3B market cap, followed by Matson (MATX) at around $5.1B. These firms show resilience across tanker and container subsectors.
02
High Dividend Potential
Stocks like ZIM Integrated Shipping offer attractive yields (often above 7%), though payouts can vary with freight rates and profitability cycles.
03
Subsector Opportunities
Dry bulk leaders such as Star Bulk Carriers (SBLK) and Genco Shipping (GNK) benefit from commodity demand, while LNG carriers support energy transition trends.
04
Diversified Exposure
The Guggenheim Shipping ETF (SEA) provides broad exposure across U.S.-listed shipping companies for investors seeking sector diversification.

Top Shipping Stocks by Market Cap (2026)

Ticker Company Market Cap Revenue (TTM) Dividend Yield Subsector
KEX Kirby Corporation $7.29B $3.36B 0.00% Tankers / Inland
MATX Matson, Inc. $5.06B $3.34B ~0.9% Container Shipping
HAFN Hafnia Limited ~$3.9B $2.28B ~7% Product Tankers
ZIM ZIM Integrated Shipping $3.17B ~$6.9B ~7.5% Container Shipping
SBLK Star Bulk Carriers $2.77B — ~2.4% Dry Bulk

Data approximate as of early April 2026. Market conditions change rapidly.

Shipping Stocks

Here is a little info on each of the sub-industries within this category to help you find trade setups or potential investments in areas that interest you. A full list of publicly traded shipping companies can be found by scrolling down or you can access a list of the companies in each group by the industry links on this page.

Container Ship Companies: These publicly traded companies operate containerships which are responsible for shipping a very large percentage of the world’s manufactured goods today. Some of the larger companies in this category include:

Container Ship Companies

Crude Oil Tankers: There are nearly 20 mid and small-cap companies are in this category. These companies are engaged in transporting crude oil and/or bulk chemical liquids, diesel, fuel oil, jet oil, liquefied natural gas and refined petroleum. Examples of these companies include:

Crude Oil Tankers

Diversified Shipping: These companies’ fleets are comprised of more than one class of vessel (containership, dry bulk, etc.).

Diversified Shipping

Dry Bulk: These ships transport major dry bulk goods such as coal, iron ore and grains as well as a wide range of minor bulk goods. This category is largely comprised of small-cap companies headquartered outside of the United States

Dry Bulk

Liquefied Natural Gas: This marine transportation category is comprised of companies that own liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers and has a mix of small and mid-cap non U.S. companies.

Liquefied Natural Gas

Related Links:

Related Links

Complete List of Publicly Traded Shipping Companies

Industry Links: Shipping Stocks

Select the link to access a full list of companies in the selected category along with industry profiles, charts, comparative widgets and links to individual companies.

Publicly Traded Shipping Companies
Shipping: IPOs in 2016

There have been no IPOs in this category to date in 2016.

Shipping: IPOs in 2015

Euronav N.V. (EURN) (IPO in January 2015: Belgium: crude oil tankers)

Gener8 Maritime Inc. (GNRT) (IPO in June 2015: Crude oil tankers)

Shipping ETFs

Guggenheim Shipping ETF (SEA)

Shipping: Comparison Widgets

Investment Risks & Considerations for Shipping Stocks

Cyclical Volatility
Shipping rates are highly sensitive to global trade volumes, economic slowdowns, and commodity price swings. Overcapacity in vessels can pressure margins.
Fuel and Operating Costs
Rising bunker fuel prices and environmental regulations (including decarbonization mandates) can significantly impact profitability for operators.
Geopolitical & Trade Risks
Disruptions in key routes (Suez, Panama, Red Sea), tariffs, or trade wars can redirect cargo flows and create short-term volatility.
Capital Intensive Nature
High debt levels are common due to vessel financing. Interest rate changes and fleet renewal costs require careful balance sheet management.

Shipping investments involve substantial risk. Past performance is not indicative of future results. This is not personalized advice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Top shipping stocks in 2026 include Hafnia Limited (HAFN), ZIM Integrated Shipping (ZIM), and Matson (MATX) based on market cap and revenue growth. These companies show strong performance in marine shipping subsectors like tankers and containers. Investors should review current financials and market conditions before purchasing.
Kirby Corporation (KEX) leads with a ~$7.3B market cap, followed by Matson (MATX) at ~$5.1B and Hafnia (HAFN) at ~$3.9B. These firms operate across tankers, containers, and bulk shipping. Performance varies by subsector amid global trade fluctuations.
Shipping stocks like ZIM and SBLK offer high dividend yields but face volatility from fuel costs and trade routes. Mid-cap players in dry bulk and LNG show growth potential in 2026. Diversification via ETFs like SEA is recommended for risk management.
A.P. Møller - Mærsk (AMKBY) often tops global lists, while among prominent U.S.-listed peers, Kirby (KEX) and Matson (MATX) lead. Market caps shift with stock performance and currency factors.
The marine shipping sector saw mixed results, with container stocks like ZIM benefiting from trade recovery while tankers remained volatile due to oil prices. Leaders like KEX reported solid revenue.
Genco Shipping (GNK), Safe Bulkers (SB), and Star Bulk Carriers (SBLK) lead dry bulk with exposure to coal, ore, and grains. Investors note cyclical risks tied to commodity prices.
Navigator Holdings (NVGS) and GasLog-related entities remain key in LNG carriers, supported by natural gas demand and energy security needs. Geopolitical factors influence spot rates.
The Guggenheim Shipping ETF (SEA) provides broad exposure to U.S.-listed shipping firms across subsectors. It includes performers like MATX and KEX for diversified sector bets.
Last updated April 2026 · Data sourced from U.S. exchange filings and public market data

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