The container shipping industry faces major changes as Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd launch their Gemini Cooperation on Saturday, February 1, 2025. This new partnership aims to deliver industry-leading reliability of over…
2M Alliance
What shippers should know about ocean carrier alliance changes in 2025
Timing is everything, but as international ocean container lines ready the February launch of reorganized alliances and vessel-sharing agreements, a miasma of global events is sure to put pressure on carefully crafted business plans.
The reshuffle is headlined by a pair of notable carrier groupings.
The Premier Alliance of ONE, Yang Ming and HMM is the newly named version of the former THE Alliance, which Hapag-Lloyd departed to partner with Maersk.
ONE (Ocean Network Express) was formed in 2016...
Sea-Intelligence analyzes port-pair data in container alliances
The current structure of the container shipping alliances [2M, THE and Ocean alliances] has been present since April 2017 and will last a few more weeks before new groupings are formed in February 2025.
Danish maritime data analysis firm Sea-Intelligence has used ‘offered port-pairs,’ an important metric, to analyze market trends over the past eight years.
The following figures show the distinct port-pairs offered by each alliance on both Asia-North America West Coast (NAWC) and Asia-North Europe...
https://container-news.com/sea-intelligence-analyzes-port-pair-data-in-container-alliances/
2M crowned most reliable container alliance over eight years
Since April 2017, the container shipping industry has operated under a three-alliance structure comprising the Ocean Alliance, THE Alliance, and 2M Alliance.
This structure, which will be reshaped in February 2025, has significantly influenced trends in schedule reliability over nearly eight years. To better contextualize these trends, Danish maritime data analysis firm Sea-Intelligence developed the following graph to evaluate each alliance’s annual performance.
The Danish analysts explained:...
https://container-news.com/2m-crowned-most-reliable-container-alliance-over-eight-years/
Carrier alliance market shares set for shake-up
Since April 2017, the three-alliance structure comprising Ocean Alliance, THE Alliance, and the 2M alliance has shaped the shipping industry.
After nearly eight years, this structure is set to change in February 2025 with the introduction of new alliance arrangements. The Gemini Cooperation (Maersk – Hapag-Lloyd), Premier Alliance (HMM – ONE- Yang Ming) and Ocean Alliance (CMA CGM – COSCO – Evergreen – OOCL) retaining its structure, will now form the new container shipping alliance landscape.
Capa...
https://container-news.com/carrier-alliance-market-shares-set-for-shake-up/
2M Alliance announces blank sailings on Transpacific services
2M Alliance of Maersk and MSC has announced several blank sailings on its Transpacific services due to the ongoing congestion at ports across the US East Coast caused by the recent East and Gulf Coast port work stoppage.
The two companies have published the following blank sailings:
Asia to US East Coast
Maersk Sydney | 443W | Laem Chabang / October 27 |
MSC Texas | 444E | Xiamen / October 31 |
https://container-news.com/2m-alliance-announces-blank-sailings-on-transpacific-services/
New alliance formation intensifies battle between major lines
With the container shipping alliance landscape expected to change in less than five months, it is worth examining the current dynamics of the alliances and how they are expected to evolve when the new alliances are formed.
Currently, the 2M Alliance, composed of Maersk and MSC, continues to hold the leading position with the largest fleet capacity. Ocean Alliance (including CMA CGM, COSCO, Evergreen and OOCL) follows closely, while THE Alliance (Hapag Lloyd, HMM, Yang Ming and ONE) remains in...
https://container-news.com/new-alliance-formation-intensifies-battle-between-major-lines/
Major Shipping Alliance Reshuffle: Premier Alliance to Launch, MSC Unveils Standalone Network
Container shipping lines Ocean Network Express (ONE), HMM, and Yang Ming Marine Transportation have announced the formation of a new alliance named ‘Premier Alliance’, set to begin operations in February…
2M announces changes in Asia – North Europe service network
2M alliance, including Maersk and MSC, has decided to revise its Asia-North Europe network, with the updated services taking effect from the 32nd week of the year.
The service updates aim to improve the alliance’s network by introducing new port calls and addressing ongoing congestion in Europe while maintaining competitive transit times between Asia and North Europe.
Below are the revised rotations for 2M alliance’s AE55/Griffin, AE6/Lion and AE7/Condor services:
AE55/Griffin Service
2m alliance...
https://container-news.com/2m-announces-changes-in-asia-north-europe-service-network/
MSC increases own-operated service share ahead of 2M termination
The 2M Alliance, which currently includes the top two shipping lines MSC and Maersk, is scheduled to conclude in February 2025. Following this, Maersk will join forces with Hapag-Lloyd to establish the Gemini Cooperation.
In response, MSC appears to be redirecting its attention towards expanding its independently operated services. Specifically, MSC has been increasing its market share in capacity for standalone services in the Transpacific and Asia-Europe trades.
https://container-news.com/msc-increases-own-operated-service-share-ahead-of-2m-termination/