[190516.EN.SEA] Newly Formed THE Alliance Seen To Match 2M And Ocean Alliance In Scale

THE Alliance will come close to matching the deployed capacity of rival groupings, the 2M and Ocean Alliance, says Copenhagen-based SeaIntel Maritime Analysis.

Germany's Hapag-Lloyd and five Asian carriers unveiled a partnership covering all east-west trade lanes to create a third alliance, which also includes South Korea's Hanjin Shipping, Japan's Mitsui OSK Lines, NYK Line, "K" Line and Taiwan's Yang Ming that will start operating April 2017, assuming regulatory approvals.

THE Alliance said "it is anticipated" that UASC, which is in merger talks with Hapag-Lloyd, will become part of the new alliance, reported Lloyd's List.

Hyundai Merchant Marine, which is undergoing a creditor-led restructuring, is also looking to join THE Alliance once it stabilises its business.

"All three are powerful alliances and THE Alliance can certainly be a match for both 2M and Ocean Alliance," SeaIntel Maritime Analysis said in its weekly Spotlight report, assuming that both THE Alliance and Ocean Alliance will secure the approval of regulatory authorities.

Source : HKSG.