Valuation Trading Multiples & Precedent Transactions: Container Shipping and Vessel Leasing Companies
Valuation benchmarks for Container Shipping and Vessel Leasing Companies. Access public trading comps, EV/EBITDA acquisition multiples, and private market data for pitch books and valuation analysis.
1.1 - Container Shipping and Vessel Leasing Companies Market Context & Valuation Drivers
Companies in this public trading comparables group operate global container shipping networks or lease containerships to liner operators. They generate revenue from ocean freight and long-term time charters, supported by scale fleets and intermodal logistics. They are grouped as valuation benchmarks due to shared exposure to containerized trade demand, freight and charter rate cycles, fleet utilization, and capital‑intensive asset bases driving EBITDA and cash flow performance.
Typical capabilities include scheduled container liner services across global routes, end-to-end intermodal solutions integrating rail and truck, inland haulage and door-to-door delivery, reefer and dangerous goods handling, project and oversized cargo management, international freight forwarding and warehousing, digital booking and visibility platforms, and ship management and fleet maintenance. Vessel owners monetize through time charters, voyage charters, and contract coverage strategies, optimizing deployment, fuel efficiency, and downtime to sustain utilization and margin integrity.
Primary customers include beneficial cargo owners, retail and industrial exporters/importers, freight forwarders and 3PLs, and liner companies chartering vessels. Key valuation drivers are TEU volume growth, utilization and load factors, average freight and charter rates, contract duration and coverage, network mix, operating and bunker cost efficiency, and EBITDA margin and free cash flow conversion. Stable charter coverage and disciplined capex underpin resilience through rate cycles.
2. Valuation Analysis: Public Trading Comps & Multiples for Container Shipping and Vessel Leasing Companies companies
2.1 - Public Peer Groups & Median Valuation Multiples for Container Shipping and Vessel Leasing Companies sector
Comparable group 1: Container Shipping and Vessel Leasing Companies
Hapag-Lloyd
- Enterprise value: $●●●m
- Market Cap: $●●●m
- EV/Revenue: ●.●x
- EV/EBITDA: ●●.●x
- Description: Provider of global liner shipping and container transportation services, operating one of the world’s largest fleets of modern container ships. The company offers efficient and reliable connections between ports globally through its extensive network, ensuring fast and secure transport of goods for diverse industries.
- Key Products:
- Container Shipping: Efficient and reliable container transport services worldwide
- Reefer Cargo: Specialized shipping for temperature-sensitive goods
- Dangerous Goods: Secure transport solutions for hazardous materials
- Special Cargo Projects: Handling of oversized and complex cargo shipments
- Freight Management: Comprehensive logistics services for cargo planning and tracking.
SITC International
- Enterprise value: $●●●m
- Market Cap: $●●●m
- EV/Revenue: ●.●x
- EV/EBITDA: ●●.●x
- Description: Provider of integrated transportation and logistics solutions, specializing in container liner shipping, ship management, international freight forwarding, warehousing, customs clearance, and supply chain management across the intra-Asia region.
- Key Products:
- Container Liner Shipping: Regular, scheduled transport of containers across a network of routes
- Ship Management: Comprehensive management services for shipping vessels
- International Freight Forwarding: Coordination of global cargo shipment logistics
- Warehousing Services: Secure storage and handling of goods
- Customs Clearance: Specialized services for importing and exporting through customs.