FULL LIST: Top 10 African countries with strongest merchant marine fleet in 2026

A merchant marine fleet serves more than just a logistical purpose. A merchant fleet consists of commercial ships that transport goods globally and can be called into military service in times of conflict.

Having a strong national merchant fleet enhances a country's navy by providing transport capacity for troops and equipment during wartime. 

Types of modern merchant fleet include container ships, cruise liners, oil or gas tankers, chemical carriers, bulk carriers, cable layers, car carriers, oil rig supply vessels and general-purpose cargo ships. Their trade routes may take them to every continent and across every ocean on the globe.

There are three main operational departments on board ship: the deck department, which is staffed by navigating officers; the engineering department, which is staffed by marine engineering officers, and may also include marine electro-technical officers; and the hotel or catering department, which provides the crew and any passengers with catering and domestic services.

The longest container ship in the world is now around 400m long, equivalent to the length of four football pitches, while the largest has a cargo capacity of over 20,000 cargo containers. The world’s largest cruise ship is over 360m long and can carry over 6,500 passengers.

Ships operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, with crew members rotating on leave after their vessel appointment has been completed. While technical officers and crew often work a system of watches each day, normally in a pattern of four hours on and eight hours off, the working hours of most hotel operations personnel on cruise ships and ferries are dependent on their guests’ routines.

A strong merchant fleet serves as an important indicator of economic independence. These fleets operate under civilian control but can support military operations during conflict.

Here are the African countries with the strongest merchant marine fleets, per data from Global Firepower: 

1. Liberia 

2. Nigeria 

3. Sierra Leone 

4. Egypt 

5. Tanzania 

6. Cameroon 

7. Algeria

8. South Africa

9. Libya

10. Morocco