The Global Deep-Sea, Coastal and Inland Water Transportation industry has struggled over the past five years. Years of rapid growth through 2007 appear to be at an end and future demand is contingent on ongoing economic recovery. According to IBISWorld Industry analyst Lauren Setar, “due to lower global industrial production and goods needing to be shipped, industry revenue fell at an average annual rate of 0.6% to $166.1 billion in the five years to 2013.” The industry has undergone some extreme changes in the past five years, most noticeable in 2008 and 2009. During those years, major companies placed ambitious orders for new ships as they struggled to build their capacity to meet demand. Once the demand fell away, though, shipping lines cut routes and staff and many pulled some of their fleet out of the water to remain viable during the downturn. After a rebound in 2010, uncertain economic conditions have encouraged low inventory levels on the part of the industry's clients, which leaves the industry with far more capacity than is required to meet demand.

Overcapacity is the only certainty the industry faces in the coming years. “The industry depends on strong global growth and continuing globalization to strengthen,” say Setar. The threat of a collapse in the eurozone or a double-dip global recession remains real. On the other side of the equation, the imbalance of supply of ships to demand for shipping services will take longer to resolve. Segments of the industry, such as container shipping, are engaged in a race to build the biggest ship. The operator with the biggest ship captures the lowest cost structure and competitive advantage; however, the cumulative action has driven freight rates down and is expected to keep them there.

The Global Deep-Sea, Coastal and Inland Water Transportation industry has a moderate level of market share concentration. The medium level of concentration is attributed to the vast number of markets covered by the industry, a sign that economies of scope and scale exist in the market. Major players must be truly global to be competitive. Beyond the major players, the market is fragmented with a large number of those small regional players or family-owned operations, especially in the coastal and inland water transportation segments. The global economic troubles plaguing the industry in 2009 have not had a major effect on industry concentration, though some waves of industry consolidation are anticipated in the coming years. Numerous companies will be driven to the wall during lean times for the industry, leaving them ripe for acquisition. Higher competition and bunker oil prices will push margins lower, increasing the possibility of merger and acquisition activity as companies seek to expand their geographical reach and distribution networks by acquiring struggling firms. The industry’s four largest players are A.P. Møller - Mærsk A/S, Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, and Carnival Corporation.