Maritime data analysts Alphaliner note that MSC and Hapag-Lloyd have begun capacity build-up ahead of Maersk ending its 2M vessel sharing agreement with the two companies.
The departure of Maersk from the alliance is resulting in significant changes to its East–West services.
According to Alphaliner, after introducing two additional standalone services in July, MSC’s non-2M fleet capacity on the major Asia–North America and Far East–Europe routes has now reached 733,000 TEU, accounting for 33.2% of its total capacity on these trades.
Alphaliner adds that the Asia–Europe routes, MSC now operates four loops to Northern Europe (the 2M ‘Lion’, 2M ‘Griffin’, ‘Sentosa-Swan’, and ‘Britannia’) and three loops to the Mediterranean (the 2M ‘Jade’, 2M ‘Tiger’, and the standalone ‘Dragon’).
“Hapag-Lloyd (15.4%) and HMM (28.3%) are the only other alliance members operating a significant portion of their East–West vessel capacity outside of THE Alliance, of which they are both members. However, this is expected to change once the 2M partnership ends and Hapag-Lloyd joins the Gemini Cooperation with Maersk,” writes Alphaliner, highlighting the significance of the changes coming next year.
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