Shipowners organisation Bimco has revealed new growth in membership last year.
The Denmark-based association said it has been "consolidating" its position as the biggest shipping organisation in the world.
The fleet represented by its members has grown both in absolute size and as a share of the world cargo fleet.
"Bimco had another successful year in 2019 with our members’ share of the global fleet increasing by one percentage point to 59%," said outgoing Bimco secretary general Angus Frew.
"We have achieved consistent year on year growth over the last five years from 54% in 2014."
The fleet today stands at 1.17bn dwt out of a world fleet of 1.99bn dwt, according to Clarksons.
Bimco now covers 59.5% of the dry bulk fleet, up from 59.2% a year ago and 51.4% of the tanker fleet, against 49.1%.
The boxship figure is 83.4%, from 83.1%, and 34.4% of the rest of the cargo fleet, against 33%.
The numbers show growth in all segments, particularly in the tanker sector, which has been – and continues to be – a focus area for Bimco.
It has 4,708 tankers representing 374m dwt, up from 4,347 tankers of 339m dwt.
Back in January, Bimco was one of the first shipping organisations to act on the coronavirus crisis.
It banned travel for its staff to Asia following the outbreak.
