Container shipping giants Maersk, MSC and CMA CGM have claimed three top spots on the list of companies that had the biggest fleet capacity increase last year.

As shown in Alphaliner's 2014-2015 fleet review, Maersk increased its capacity by 12 percent, MSC by 7 percent and CMA CGM by 9 percent.

A.P.Møller-Maersk increased its total container vessel capacity by 318,000teu in 2014.

The group's fleet was boosted by the delivery of nine Maersk-owned Triple-E ships of 18,340teu, as well as by charters of 19 newbuildings from non-operating owners, Alphaliner said.

In 2015, the carrier will take delivery of its remaining seven Triple-E units, together with four chartered ships of 9,000 – 10,000teu.

MSC's fleet increased its operating capacity by a 168,000teu, or 7 percent in 2014, to reach 2.54m teu on a fleet of 497 owned and chartered vessels.

The company is going to expand its fleet with 30 new ships this year totaling in 357,000teu.

French liner CMA CGM grew its fleet by 9 percent in 2014, adding 139,000teu to reach 1.6m teu for 446 ships. The carrier is expected to expand its fleet with 25 ships this year, adding 268,800teu more, Alphaliner's data shows.

The fourth place in terms of fleet capacity was claimed by Hapag-Lloyd / CSAV followed by Evergreen on the fifth place.

All of the world's top 20 carriers recorded capacity increase in 2014, except Hapag-Lloyd / CSAV whose capacity was down by 2 percent, Hanjin Shipping which saw 3 percent dip and APL, which posted the biggest capacity decline amounting to 12 percent.