BWR: An update on the upcoming alliances

BlueWater Reporting has provided an update on what information is available in regards to the new ocean carrier alliance networks scheduled to take effect in April.

   Ocean carrier schedule and capacity database BlueWater Reporting has been closely monitoring the tumultuous changes the ocean carrier industry is going through as the new ocean carrier alliance agreements established over the past year will take effect in April.
   The Ocean Alliance will include CMA CGM, COSCO, Evergreen Line and OOCL; and THE Alliance will include Yang Ming, “K” Line, NYK Line, MOL and Hapag-Lloyd.
   Meanwhile, the 2M Alliance network of Maersk Line and MSC has signed cooperative agreements with Hamburg Süd and HMM, which will remain as slot purchasers only. In addition to a revised network, the 2M Alliance will add one Asia-Europe and one transpacific loop in April. The number and size of the vessels to be deployed on the new services has not yet been disclosed.
   Both Maersk Line and MSC have issued proformas for the 2017 east-west network.
   In regards to the Ocean Alliance, CMA CGM has released a detailed brochure of the 41 loops to be enacted by the alliance. According to the brochure, the Ocean Alliance will deploy 323 vessels. The service network will include nine transpacific southwest services, four transpacific northwest services, seven Asia-East Coast North America/U.S. Gulf services, six Asia-Europe services, five Asia-Mediterranean services, three transatlantic services, five Asia-Middle East services and two Asia-Red Sea services.
   CMA CGM will have the largest share within the Ocean alliance, deploying a fleet of 119 vessels with a 35 percent capacity share. It appears that many of the CMA CGM carrier service designations (CSD) will remain the same.
   Although the brochure shows the service rotations for the Ocean Alliance, actual schedules and what specific vessels will be on the services is not available. “Transit times are provided for information and example purpose and are non-contractual,” the brochure said.
   Meanwhile, THE Alliance will use around 240 vessels on a total of 31 services. The service network will include five Asia-North Europe services, three Asia-Mediterranean services, one Asia-Middle East service, 11 transpacific-West Coast services, five transpacific–East Coast (via Panama and Suez) services and six transatlantic services.
   For THE Alliance, sailing schedule data is only available for a limited number of services with updated carrier service designations. However, port and terminal information is subject to change and the vessels operating on these services has not yet been released.