Despite regular disagreements between the two alliance partners, Maersk and MSC have begun talks on a continuation of the 2M alliance once the collaboration’s contract expires in three years, according to Vincent Clerc of Maersk.
“We’re in talks with MSC on the future of 2M,” said Maersk executive Vincent Clerc on Monday in Long Beach during the TPM22 conference. | Photo: Maersk
LONG BEACH
The collaboration between the world’s two largest container lines, MSC and Maersk, is no bed of roses, though it still functions ”pretty good,” says Vincent Clerc, CEO for Ocean & Logistics at Maersk.
The 2M alliance will last another three years, as stipulated by the contract between the two partners, and the collaboration is strong on Pacific routes, in particular.
Although the duo have their disagreements, they are currently negotiating a potential extension of their partnership for when the current contract expires.
When you go through as much change as we have gone through in the past couple of years of course there are some moments when you don’t see eye to eye
Vincent Clerc, CEO for Ocean & Logistics, Maersk
”We are in conversation now with MSC about what the future looks like for 2M,” said Clerc Monday during transport conference TPM22 in Long Beach, California.
According to Clerc, the partners have regular disagreements that they have to resolve.
”We have some robust discussions on the way that is for sure. When you go through as much change as we have gone through in the past couple of years of course there are some moments when you don’t see eye to eye,” said Clerc.
However, he assesses that the collaboration between MSC and Maersk functions ”pretty good” despite their disagreements.
”I think the hallmark of a strong partnership is that you can move past some of these disagreements and actually find what is the right solution for collaboration and for costumers,” said Clerc.
Overtaken in size
Encompassing the world’s two largest container lines, 2M is the biggest container shipping alliance on the globe, sitting on around 35.9 percent of fleet capacity, according to analyst firm Xeneta.
When Maersk and MSC formed the alliance, Maersk was the largest container carrier, while MSC took second place, but last year saw MSC outgrow Maersk and become the biggest on the globe.
However, the distance between the two carriers isn’t great at the moment. According to Alphaliner, MSC currently has a total capacity exceeding 4.3 million teu, corresponding to a market share of 17 percent. Maersk has a similar market share with a fleet just short of 4.3 million teu.
Throughout 2021, MSC has been the most eager buyer of available tonnage and orderer of newbuilds, while Maersk has taken a more defensive approach, desiring to maintain its capacity.
The second largest alliance is the Ocean Alliance between CMA CGM, Cosco and Evergreen.
