The World Shipping Council (WSC) is the leading international trade association for the liner shipping industry, representing companies that operate container ships and roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) vessels around the globe.
Formed in 2000, the WSC was established to give the container shipping industry a unified voice in regulatory discussions and help shape a transparent, efficient, and sustainable system for transporting the world’s goods. Its members account for over 90% of global container capacity.
From global supply chains and customs digitalisation to emissions standards and port security, WSC plays a critical role in shaping the future of international liner trade.
Unlike tramp shipping (which is chartered case-by-case), liner shipping refers to regularly scheduled services that operate along fixed routes – much like public transport systems.
This is how most consumer goods, electronics, food, clothing, and raw materials are shipped worldwide. Container shipping is the backbone of global trade, and the WSC works to keep that backbone stable, secure, and evolving.
WSC supports its members and the global economy by focusing on:
1. Policy and Regulation:
2. Environmental Responsibility:
3. Security and Resilience:
4. Digitalisation of Trade:
In the past decade, the WSC has helped shape:
• IMO Carbon Intensity Indicator (CII) and lifecycle analysis for fuels
• Global frameworks for container weight verification and cargo safety
• Protocols for the digitalisation of trade documents
• Guidelines for alternative fuels, ship design, and vessel energy efficiency
WSC also responds to real-world disruptions – such as COVID-19 port bottlenecks, Red Sea risks, and container shortages – by working closely with industry and policymakers to restore flow and trust.
WSC’s members include nearly all of the world’s major liner shipping companies – from Maersk, MSC, and CMA CGM to regional operators. Together, they manage millions of containers in motion every day.
The organisation also partners with ports, customs authorities, classification societies, and logistics groups to build global consensus and deliver systemic change.
Its headquarters are in Washington D.C., with additional offices in Brussels and Singapore, reflecting its strategic presence across Atlantic and Pacific trade routes.
In today’s interconnected world, a delayed or lost container can ripple through factories, hospitals, and homes. The WSC helps ensure that global supply chains remain reliable, clean, and responsive.
By promoting smart regulation, sustainability, and operational best practice, WSC strengthens the very routes that connect countries, cultures, and commerce.
How can the WSC help container shipping companies innovate responsibly while maintaining fair access and resilience across global trade networks?
