2M Alliance Confirms Split From 2025
The world’s two biggest shipping lines, Maersk & MSC, have confirmed they will cease vessel sharing through the 2M Alliance in 2025.
In a joint statement they confirmed: “MSC and Maersk recognise that much has changed since the two companies signed the 10-year agreement in 2015. Discontinuing the 2M Alliance paves the way for both companies to continue to pursue their individual strategies.”
The three major carrier alliances, that dominate global container shipping, have been aligned in their current format since the demise of Hanjin, a major shipping line back in 2016/7, with one or two adjustments along the way.
2M are arguably the most significant, and the split may well instigate a shake up of all carrier partnerships. It is currently believed that MSC could look to become a standalone carrier and that Maersk are likely to seek alternative partnerships.
Currently, global demand has been dropping, especially from Asia, during the worldwide cost of living crisis. This downturn in demand and pricing follows a period of huge profits for carriers, who were reporting records highs almost every quarter through the pandemic.
It is perhaps no surprise that a carrier shake up was just around the corner, and Atlantic Pacific will be monitoring developments with great interest.
