2M alliance partners Maersk Line and MSC have launched an aggressive capacity hike on the two biggest trade lanes in Asia and North Europeto coincide with launch of the new Ocean Alliance in April 2017.
Maersk Line and MSC will also launch a new transpacific service on the same date as the new loop.
The Ocean Alliance, led by CMA-CGM and made up of China Cosco Shipping, Evergreen Line, and Orient Overseas Container Line, will offer 40 services on the east-west trades with almost 500 port calls.
Maersk Line has reported that the new slot agreements with HMM require an increase in its capacity to match the increase in volumes.
MSC said the service revisions “follow an unprecedented year in the liner industry, which saw considerable change to the composition of alliances and commercial structures, including significant mergers and acquisitions”.
The vessels deployed on the new services will be operated exclusively by MSC and Maersk Line and HMM will be only a slot charterer between Asia and North Europe after it exits the G6 alliance.
To find out the impact of these alliances in greater detail, read PTI’s technical paper ‘2016 Update: Mega-Alliances Impact’ by Drewry.
