X-Press Feeders, headquartered in Singapore, has solidified its position as the world’s largest common feeder operator, significantly widening the gap over its main competitor, Unifeeder. Ranked 13th in the Alphaliner Top 100, X-Press has expanded its fleet capacity by 21.8%, adding 35,000 TEUs since October 2023. This growth outpaces the global liner fleet, which has seen an 11% increase during the same period.
Unifeeder, ranked 17th, grew its fleet by 23,000 TEUs, reflecting an 18% rise. Both companies have benefitted from increased shortsea traffic as mainline operators (MLOs) divert routes from the Suez Canal due to the Red Sea crisis. This shift has boosted X-Press’s trade in the Middle East and Indian Subcontinent, while Unifeeder’s affiliate, Unimed Feeder Services, has seen growth in Intra-Mediterranean traffic.
X-Press’s fleet currently includes 59% owned vessels, with plans for further expansion; its parent company, Sea Consortium, has 77,000 TEUs on order, comprising 40% of its fleet. The order includes six new 11,000 TEU ships expected in 2027-2028, which will become X-Press’s largest vessels. Committed to sustainability, X-Press has also introduced seven methanol-powered “green” vessels, each with a capacity of 1,770 TEUs.