Just two of the 16 carriers that publish their results among the so-called Top 20 container carriers were able to increase their revenue in the first half of 2015 - namely the Taiwanese carriers Yang Ming and Wan Hai, according to a new analysis by Drewry.

The container carriers are currently trapped in what Drewry describes as "toxic cocktail" of low demand and deteriorating freight rates which mean that the Top 20 carriers achieved a combined revenue of USD 60 billion in the first half of the year, corresponding to a five percent decline compared to the same period last year. The 16 carriers in the Top 20 control around 65 percent of the global container fleet. In spite of the declining revenue, most of them were able to deliver positive results for the period, due to factors including low fuel prices.