There are 171 days to go until a sizeable liner alliance reshuffle, and two of the principle instigators in this container tango are well advanced in preparing for this new alignment.
February 1 next year sees Hapag-Lloyd exit THE Alliance and join forces with Maersk to create the Gemini Cooperation following the disbanding of the 2M alliance between the Danish carrier and Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC). MSC has decided to go it alone on the main east-west trades from next year, having built up a fleet of more than 6m teu.
Alphaliner has detailed how both MSC and Hapag-Lloyd have been increasing the capacity of standalone loops on Asia – North America and Far East – Europe routes.
Fully one third of all MSC’s capacity on the main east-west trades are now standalone, with more to come, while Alphaliner data shows Hapag-Lloyd has also started to increase market share outside its current alliance. Hapag-Lloyd’s 15.4% non-alliance capacity is related to the start of a standalone Asia – North Europe China Germany Express (CGX) launched two months ago as well as an Asia – US east coast service jointly operated with Wan Hai.