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According to the 2026 Global Firepower Merchant Marine Strength ranking, Africa’s strongest merchant marine fleets are concentrated across countries with markedly different maritime models. While some have built global influence through internationally competitive ship registries, others derive their strength from trade, port infrastructure, industrial exports, or regional logistics networks.
Taken together, these countries account for some of Africa’s busiest commercial ports, hundreds of billions of dollars in merchandise trade, and shipping systems that connect the continent to global supply chains. The ranking highlights fleet strength, but the broader data shows that maritime competitiveness is increasingly shaped by factors such as cargo throughput, domestic shipping capacity, transport services, and sustained investment in port infrastructure.
10. Morocco
Morocco ranks 10th in Africa, with a merchant marine fleet strength of 94 vessels, placing it 72nd globally. While its fleet is relatively modest, the country’s maritime influence is built on the scale of its logistics network. It recorded US$120.9 million in merchandise trade and US$42.3 million in transport services trade, showing that its shipping sector is closely tied to international commerce rather than fleet size alone.
That advantage is reinforced by port infrastructure. Morocco handled 9.96 million TEUs in 2024, the highest among the countries in this ranking, while Tanger Med connects to more than 180 ports across 70+ countries and supports an industrial ecosystem of over 1,400 companies. Together, these indicators show how port connectivity and industrial integration have expanded Morocco’s maritime importance beyond the number of vessels it operates.
9. Libya
Libya’s merchant marine fleet, with a strength of 96 vessels, places it 69th globally. Although its fleet is relatively small, the country’s maritime sector remains closely linked to its hydrocarbon export economy. Merchandise trade reached US$47.6 billion, demonstrating that shipping activity continues to be driven by energy exports moving through Mediterranean ports.
The country owns about 2140 thousands DWT of shipping capacity compared with 988,000 DWT sailing under its national flag, indicating that Libyan shipping interests extend beyond domestic registration. Ongoing rehabilitation of ports such as Tripoli and Misrata also points to the gradual rebuilding of maritime logistics capacity.
8. South Africa
South Africa ranks eighth in Africa with a merchant marine fleet strength of 110 vessels, placing 66th globally. Despite its position in this ranking, it recorded the continent’s largest merchandise trade among the countries listed at US$123. 469 billion, highlighting that maritime influence is supported by economic scale as much as fleet size.
Its ports handled approximately 4 million TEUs, led by Durban, while South African-owned ships account for 411 thousand DWT, far exceeding the 484 thousand DWT registered under its flag. Together, these figures reflect a diversified maritime economy built around trade, logistics, and industrial activity.
7. Algeria
Algeria’s merchant marine fleet strength of 119 vessels places it 63rd globally. The country’s maritime economy is underpinned by a merchandise trade value of US$94 780 billion, with hydrocarbons continuing to account for a significant share of seaborne exports.
Although Algeria registers 652,000 DWT under its flag, domestic ship ownership reaches 1.154 thousand DWT, suggesting that much of its shipping capacity operates through international registries. Continued modernization of Mediterranean ports further strengthens its role in North African trade.
6. Cameroon
Cameroon ranks sixth with a merchant marine fleet strength of 198 vessels, placing 52nd globally. Beyond fleet size, its maritime importance comes from serving as Central Africa’s primary logistics gateway. Merchandise trade reached US$14.1 billion, supported by US$4.82 billion in transport services trade.
The country’s ports handled about 2.19 million TEUs, with Douala and Kribi providing access for Cameroon as well as landlocked neighbours including Chad and the Central African Republic. This combination of port infrastructure and regional connectivity gives Cameroon a larger logistical role than fleet numbers alone suggest.
5. Tanzania
Tanzania’s merchant marine fleet strength of 381 vessels ranks 42nd globally. Its maritime sector increasingly reflects the country’s position as an East African logistics corridor, supported by US$22.981 billion in merchandise trade and US$9.469 billion in transport services.
The Port of Dar es Salaam handles approximately 1.3 million TEUs annually and is being upgraded through the US$345 million Dar es Salaam Maritime Gateway Project, aimed at expanding capacity and improving operational efficiency. By serving several landlocked countries, Tanzania’s maritime system has become an important regional trade platform rather than simply a national port network.
4. Egypt
Egypt ranks fourth in Africa with a merchant marine fleet strength of 441 vessels, placing 38th globally. Its shipping sector is reinforced by one of Africa’s largest trade economies, generating US$85.99 billion in merchandise trade and US$57.05 million in transport services.
Its ports processed approximately 8.36 million TEUs, while Egyptian-owned ships total more than 4.03 thousand DWT, reflecting a substantial domestic shipping industry. Combined with commercial shipbuilding activity and the strategic importance of the Suez Canal, these indicators position Egypt as one of Africa’s leading maritime economies.
3. Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone’s merchant marine fleet strength of 584 vessels places it 32nd globally. Unlike many countries on this list, its maritime strength is driven primarily by international ship registration rather than domestic trade, with 580 ships carrying the Sierra Leone flag.
That contrast is evident in the data. While nationally flagged vessels account for 2.534 thousand DWT, domestic ownership is only 6,000 DWT, even as merchandise trade totals US$3.583 million. These figures highlight Sierra Leone’s role as a registry-led maritime economy rather than a major cargo market.
2. Nigeria
Nigeria ranks second in Africa with a merchant marine fleet strength of 928 vessels, placing 21st globally. Its maritime position is supported by the continent’s largest economy, with US$94.58 billion in merchandise trade and US$22.49 billion in transport services.
The country owns 9.709 thousands DWT of shipping capacity compared with 6.825 thousands DWT sailing under its flag, reflecting a strong domestic shipping base. Ports handled around 1.47 TEUs, while MSC’s planned US$1 billion investment in a new container terminal underscores continued private capital flowing into Nigeria’s maritime infrastructure.
1. Liberia
Liberia tops Africa’s ranking with a merchant marine fleet strength of 4,821 vessels, making it the 5th strongest merchant fleet globally. Its position is driven by one of the world’s largest open ship registries, with 5,225 ships flying the Liberian flag and a combined capacity of 408.68 million DWT.
The contrast with its domestic shipping industry is significant. Liberian-owned ships account for only 602,000 DWT, while merchandise trade totals US$2.97 billion. These figures show that Liberia’s global maritime importance stems primarily from its internationally competitive ship registry, making it one of the world’s leading flag states despite having a comparatively small domestic trade economy.
