In this article, we will look at the 11 Best Shipping and Container Stocks to Invest in Now.
According to a report by Mordor Intelligence, the global container shipping market is worth $119.65 billion as of 2025. It is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.11% between 2025 and 2030, reaching a market size of $139.45 billion at the end of the forecast period. While North America is the largest market in the sector, Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest growing.
On June 16, Peter Tirschwell from S&P Global Market Intelligence appeared on CNBC to talk about the potential disruption to global shipping due to the conflict between Israel and Iran. He said that ocean carriers have no plans to go back into the Red Sea, as the very threat of military activity around a narrow yet significant route like the Strait of Hormuz could prove enough to significantly disrupt shipping.
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Tirschwell also said that the closure of the strait would cause significant disruption in the oil sector, as well as other sectors of shipping, such as containers. He reasoned that although less than 5% of the containers are moving through the Strait of Hormuz, any disruption to the region would definitely have repercussions.
With these trends in view, let’s look at the best shipping and container stocks to invest in now.
A shipping tanker moving through a busy port with containers stacked in the background.
Our Methodology
We used Finviz to compile a list of top shipping and container stocks and selected the top 11 stocks with the highest number of hedge fund holders as of Q1 2025, sourcing the hedge fund sentiment data from Insider Monkey’s database. The list is sorted in ascending order of hedge fund sentiment.
Note: All data was recorded on July 23.
Why are we interested in the stocks that hedge funds pile into? The reason is simple: our research has shown that we can outperform the market by imitating the top stock picks of the best hedge funds. Our quarterly newsletter’s strategy selects 14 small-cap and large-cap stocks every quarter and has returned 373.4% since May 2014, beating its benchmark by 218 percentage points (see more details here).
11 Best Shipping and Container Stocks to Invest in Now
11. Ardmore Shipping Corporation (NYSE:ASC)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 13
Ardmore Shipping Corporation (NYSE:ASC) is one of the best shipping and container stocks to invest in now. In a report released on July 22, Jonathan Chappell from Evercore ISI maintained a Buy rating on Ardmore Shipping Corporation (NYSE:ASC) and set a price target of $12.00.
Ardmore Shipping Corporation (NYSE:ASC) reported $5.6 million in reported adjusted earnings and net income attributable to common stockholders for the three months ended March 31, which translates to $0.14 earnings per basic and diluted share.
The company also reported that MR tankers earned an average TCE rate of $20,942 per day for the quarter, while chemical tankers earned an average TCE rate of $14,975 per day.
Ardmore Shipping Corporation (NYSE:ASC) provides seaborne transportation services for petroleum products and chemicals. It offers its services to major national oil companies, oil majors, chemical companies, and oil and chemical traders across the globe. The company also owns and operates a fleet of tankers.
10. Golden Ocean Group Limited (NASDAQ:GOGL)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 13
Golden Ocean Group Limited (NASDAQ:GOGL) is one of the best shipping and container stocks to invest in now. On May 23, Kepler Capital analyst Axel Styrman maintained a Buy rating on Golden Ocean Group Limited (NASDAQ:GOGL) and set a price target of NOK96.50.
The rating update came after Golden Ocean Group Limited (NASDAQ:GOGL) announced fiscal Q1 2025 results on May 21.
The analyst maintained an optimistic rating for the company even after its Q1 results reflected a weaker market environment, with lower trading activity and softer charter rates impacting performance.
Golden Ocean Group Limited (NASDAQ:GOGL) reported a net loss of $44.1 million and a loss per share of $0.22 (basic) for the quarter, compared to net income of $39.0 million and earnings per share of $0.20 (basic) for fiscal Q4 2024.
However, management stated that despite the unexpected headwinds, including trade tariffs and increased macroeconomic uncertainty, the fundamentals of dry bulk shipping remain intact, supporting Golden Ocean Group Limited’s (NASDAQ:GOGL) medium-term outlook.
Golden Ocean Group Limited (NASDAQ:GOGL) operates and owns dry bulk vessels. The company transports bulk commodities including grains, ores, coal, and fertilizers, and manages Newcastlemax, Capesize, Panamax, and Ultramax vessels. Golden Ocean Group Limited (NASDAQ:GOGL) also charters, purchases, and sells vessels.
9. Pangaea Logistics Solutions, Ltd. (NASDAQ:PANL)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 15
Pangaea Logistics Solutions, Ltd. (NASDAQ:PANL) is one of the best shipping and container stocks to invest in now. On June 18, new insider activity took place at Pangaea Logistics Solutions, Ltd. (NASDAQ:PANL) with Strategic Shipping Inc. significantly expanding its stake in Pangaea Logistics Solutions, Ltd. (NASDAQ:PANL) through the purchase of 39,524 shares.
Strategic Shipping Inc. is a significant shareholder, and the acquisition is valued at around $182,996, reflecting its optimism for Pangaea Logistics Solutions, Ltd.’s (NASDAQ:PANL) future prospects.
Pangaea Logistics Solutions, Ltd. (NASDAQ:PANL) provides seaborne dry bulk logistics and transportation services to industrial customers across the globe. The company services customers by transporting dry bulk cargoes, including iron ore, grains, coal, pig iron, hot briquetted iron, cement clinker, bauxite, limestone, and other materials.
8. Safe Bulkers Inc. (NYSE:SB)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 15
Safe Bulkers Inc. (NYSE:SB) is one of the best shipping and container stocks to invest in now. Analyst Omar Nokta from Jefferies maintained a Buy rating on Safe Bulkers Inc. (NYSE:SB) on May 20, setting a $5.00 price target.
The analyst based the rating on the company’s strategic positioning and financial resilience, reporting strong Q1 results that exceeded expectations despite challenging market conditions, with spot rates dwindling below break-even levels.
Nokta reasoned that this was primarily because of Safe Bulkers Inc.’s (NYSE:SB) contracted cash flow from period and fixed charters, as that offered stability to reach an average time charter equivalent rate that surpassed expectations.
The firm also reasoned that Safe Bulkers Inc.’s (NYSE:SB) free cash flow has allowed it to declare a stable dividend. It expects the delivery of a new Kamsarmax vessel and modest recovery in dry bulk rates to further bolster the company’s outlook.
Safe Bulkers Inc. (NYSE:SB) provides international marine drybulk transportation services. It transports bulk cargoes across global shipping routes, primarily including grain, coal, and iron ores.
7. Genco Shipping & Trading Limited (NYSE:GNK)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 17
Genco Shipping & Trading Limited (NYSE:GNK) is one of the best shipping and container stocks to invest in now. On July 7, DNB Carnegie downgraded Genco Shipping & Trading Limited (NYSE:GNK) to Hold from Buy with a $14.90 price target.
Genco Shipping & Trading Limited (NYSE:GNK) reported a net loss of $11.9 million in fiscal Q1 2025, which translates to basic and diluted net loss per share of $0.28. The company also reported an EBITDA of $7.9 million and voyage revenues of $71.3 million.
Genco Shipping & Trading Limited (NYSE:GNK) declared a dividend of $0.15 per share for Q1 2025, representing its 23rd consecutive quarterly dividend. Building on its dividend strategy, the company announced a $50 million share repurchase program.
Genco Shipping & Trading Limited (NYSE:GNK) is an international ship owning company that transports coal, iron ore, steel products, bauxite, and other drybulk cargoes. Its operations are divided into the Major Bulk and Minor Bulk segments. The Major Bulk segment comprises Capesize vessels, while the Minor Bulk segment focuses on Ultramax and Supramax vessels.
6. Global Ship Lease, Inc. (NYSE:GSL)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 18
Global Ship Lease, Inc. (NYSE:GSL) is one of the best shipping and container stocks to invest in now. On May 22, Clarksons downgraded Global Ship Lease, Inc. (NYSE:GSL) to Neutral from Buy, raising the price target to $28 from $27.
In other news, Global Ship Lease, Inc. (NYSE:GSL) announced on July 8 the affirmation of its credit ratings and outlooks by Moody’s, S&P, and KBRA.
Management reported that in affirming Global Ship Lease, Inc.’s (NYSE:GSL) stable outlook, the agencies affirmed its disciplined, low-leverage strategy, track record of using strong cash flow to deleverage, and revenue stability based on multi-year charters.
The agencies also cited Global Ship Lease, Inc.’s (NYSE:GSL) strong earnings and cash flow profile, resilience during industry disruptions, and the overall supportive market conditions for containership owners.
Global Ship Lease, Inc. (NYSE:GSL) is a holding company that owns and charters out containerships under fixed-rate, long-term charters to container shipping companies. The company’s focus is on the operation and technical management of each vessel, including maintaining the vessel, providing lubricating oils, crewing, periodic dry docking, and more.
5. Costamare Inc. (NYSE:CMRE)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 19
Costamare Inc. (NYSE:CMRE) is one of the best shipping and container stocks to invest in now. On June 27, Fearnley initiated coverage of Costamare Inc. (NYSE:CMRE) with a Hold rating and $9.80 price target.
Costamare Inc. (NYSE:CMRE) reported $95.0 million in net income available to common stockholders for fiscal Q1 2025, translating to $0.79 per share. Adjusted net income available to common stockholders for the quarter reached $73.3 million, or $0.61 per share.
The company also provided owned-fleet charter updates, reporting that 100% and 73% of the containership fleet is fixed for 2025 and 2026, respectively.
Costamare Inc. (NYSE:CMRE) is a holding company that provides containership chartering. The company’s operations are divided into the following segments: Container Vessels, Dry Bulk Vessels, CBI, and NML.
4. Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (NASDAQ:SBLK)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 21
Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (NASDAQ:SBLK) is one of the best shipping and container stocks to invest in now. On June 16, Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (NASDAQ:SBLK) announced that it had repurchased 1,985,169 of its shares since March 31 for a total of $32.22 million, with an average purchase price per share of $16.21.
As of the date of the announcement, the total number of issued and outstanding SBLK shares following the cancellation of the repurchased shares is 115,603,652.
Star Bulk Carriers Corp. (NASDAQ:SBLK) is a global shipping company that provides seaborne transportation solutions in the dry bulk sector. The company’s vessels transport major bulks such as minerals, grain, and iron ore, and minor bulks such as fertilizers, bauxite, and steel products.
3. ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. (NYSE:ZIM)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 23
ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. (NYSE:ZIM) is one of the best shipping and container stocks to invest in now. On July 16, Muneeba Kayani, an analyst from Bank of America Securities, reiterated a Sell rating on ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. (NYSE:ZIM) with an associated price target of $14.80.
The analyst based the rating on factors affecting ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd.’s (NYSE:ZIM) financial outlook, stating that a notable reason is the expected drop in the Transpacific freight rates, which may decline by 10% sequentially in Q2, with an additional substantial drop expected in H2 2025.
Kayani attributed this decline to an oversupply in the container shipping industry, backed by increased capacity after an easing of the US-China tariffs.
The analyst also reasoned that although ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd.’s (NYSE:ZIM) 2025 earnings are at the upper end of guidance, management lowered the adjusted EBITDA estimate by 3% to $2.1 billion, aligning with consensus estimates.
ZIM Integrated Shipping Services Ltd. (NYSE:ZIM) provides shipping and logistics services, including the transportation of refrigerated cargo, out-of-gauge cargo, and dangerous and hazardous cargo.
2. Matson, Inc. (NYSE:MATX)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 31
Matson, Inc. (NYSE:MATX) is one of the best shipping and container stocks to invest in now. On July 18, Jefferies downgraded Matson, Inc. (NYSE:MATX) to Hold from Buy, bringing the price target down to $115 from $135.
The analyst told investors in a research note that freight rates and volumes have continued to soften further in July. While the firm anticipates Matson, Inc.’s (NYSE:MATX) Q2 2025 results to be better than expected, it also estimates that its outlook for Q3 “looks to be softer.”
Jefferies thus downgraded Matson, Inc. (NYSE:MATX) and reduced estimates ahead of earnings.
Matson, Inc. (NYSE:MATX) is a holding company that provides logistics and transportation services. Its operations are divided into the Ocean Transportation and Logistics segments.
1. Kirby Corporation (NYSE:KEX)
Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 34
Kirby Corporation (NYSE:KEX) is one of the best shipping and container stocks to invest in now. On June 27, analyst Gregory Lewis from BTIG reiterated a Buy rating on Kirby Corporation (NYSE:KEX), increasing the price target to $125.00 from $115.00.
The analyst based the rating on the positive outlook for Kirby Corporation (NYSE:KEX), stating that one of the primary reasons behind this optimism is the strengthening inland barge activity.
This has exhibited considerable volume growth both sequentially and year-over-year, and the analyst expects this improvement to support higher margins and better pricing, especially as fleet growth remains stagnant. These factors may thus create a favorable supply-demand dynamic, according to the firm.
Lewis also stated that the upper river activity has undergone robust growth, which can have a positive effect on Gulf Coast operations because of the longer barge moves. In addition, coastal barge pricing is also on an upward trend, and term-contract pricing is seeing notable year-over-year growth.
Kirby Corporation (NYSE:KEX) is a tank barge operator that transports bulk liquid products, including black oil, petrochemicals, refined petroleum products, and agricultural chemicals. The company’s operations are divided into Marine Transportation and Distribution and Services segments.
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