Countdown To New Carrier Alliance Reshuffle

Ocean freight carriers will undoubtedly be focusing on their new partnership arrangements and schedules right now, which are due to become effective from February 1st.

We are about to witness the biggest shake up in the carrier alliance structure for a decade, as old partnerships dissolve and new partnerships form in around 6/7 weeks time.

The highlights of the changes include the 2M alliance coming to an end, Hapag Lloyd leaving its existing arrangements to team up with Maersk and THE alliance being renamed as Premier Alliance. Which is a welcome change, as the previous name has often led to confusion.

Carriers will undoubtedly be working hard to maintain or increase their market share when the new networks get underway, which, coupled with a dip in demand around Chinese New Year, may lead to a softening of Asia ocean freight rates.

So, below is how the global carrier alliances/ networks will be shaping up from February:

Independent:
MSC*

*MSC to slot exchange with Premier Alliance on some Asia-European services and with ZIM on some transpacific. 

Gemini Cooperation:
Maersk Line
Hapag Lloyd

Ocean Alliance:
CMA CGM
Cosco
Evergreen
OOCL

Premier Alliance:
HMM
ONE
Yang Ming

Carriers have been confirming new schedules during recent days and as things stand, services to and from Asia look likely to continue around the Cape Of Good Hope for the foreseeable future.