DANISH shipping giant Maersk Line, the world's biggest container carrier, expects to spend US$3 billion annually through 2019 on new ships to add to its 500-ship fleet, the company said.

"The current orderbook is not sufficient to grow with the market," Maersk said in a presentation for analysts in Copenhagen. "Vessels will support a low cost position by being the largest possible in each trade."

Earlier, Alphaliner predicted that world's second biggest container shipping line, the Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC) would overtake Maersk by 2016 based on the global orderbook.

Maersk controls 20 per cent of transported goods on the world's busiest route between Asia and Europe while its market share is 15 per cent worldwide.

The industry has been afflicted by overcapacity since 2009 because new vessels ordered before the downturn have flooded the market, driving rates down to loss-making levels.

Only four of the top 15 container lines - with Maersk being on top - have made a profit in the first half because of the overcapacity in the market.