CKYH alliance counters rivals’ pact

CKYH alliance counters rivals’ pact    CKYH alliance members COSCO Container Lines, “K” Line, Yang Ming and Hanjin Shipping have outlined their strategy for next year in response to the recently signed cooperative agreement between its rival Grand and New World alliances.
   In October, Grand and New World Alliance carriers said they will swap space on ships in the Asia/North Europe and Asia/Mediterranean trades, as well as starting a new jointly operated all-water Asia/North America East Coast service via the Panama Canal.
   “In the light of current environment of this industry, CKYH consortium members reaffirmed their will for strengthening their cooperation in order to more successfully meet customer satisfaction,” the carriers said in a joint statement.
   CKYH alliance carriers plan to start two new loops in the Asia/Mediterranean trade by the first quarter of 2006. The new services will give the group a total of 14 Asia/Europe services, with eight strings destined for North Europe and the other six loops for the Mediterranean.
   In the transpacific, CKYH carriers said they will operate 17 loops. Nine loops will serve the Pacific South West, four loops on the Pacific North West, and four on the all-water trade between Asia and the U.S. East Coast.
   According to ComPair Data, the global liner-shipping database at http://www.compairdata.com, CKYH alliance carriers are involved in 16 Asia/North America services, although not all four carriers take part on each service.
   The carriers also said they are looking to expand their cooperation to establish joint feeder networks, as well studying the joint development of dedicated terminals in Asia, North America and Europe.