Alliance to deploy 350 containerships with 3.5m teu total carrying capacity. OCEAN Alliance members came together on Thursday to sign a document detailing its planned service coverage in the market. Entitled the Day One Product, the proposed network calls for the deployment of 350 containerships with approximately 3.5m teu total carrying capacity. “The signing of the Day One Product marks an important step forward to show just how committed we are in developing the most competitive products to market and the high level of synergy and confidence we share in the partnership,” said member carriers in a statement. The four members — CMA CGM, Cosco Container Lines, Evergreen Line, and Orient Overseas Container Line — will operate 40 services on the East-West routes with roughly 100 ports of call and close to 500 port pairs.
CMA CGM will assign 119 vessels with a 35% capacity share. According to CMA CGM, the network will comprise: 20 loops, 145 weekly calls and 52 ports on the transpacific trade; six loops, 79 weekly calls and 31 ports on the Asia to Northern Europe trade; six loops, 79 weekly calls and 31 ports on the transatlantic trade; four loops, 67 weekly calls and 33 ports on the Asia to Mediterranean trade; four loops, 67 weekly calls and 33 ports on the Asia to Red Sea trade; and five loops, 55 weekly calls and 25 ports on the Asia to Middle East trade. The alliance noted that it had filed a Master Agreement to be approved by China’s ministry of transport, while the US Federal Maritime Commission and South Korea’s Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries have expressed approval of the alliance.
After completing its EU self-assessment compliance review, the alliance feels the agreement and services adhere to EU regulatory requirements. It will continue to work with all the relevant authorities to ensure full compliance with laws and regulations, and to obtain the necessary regulatory approvals for the alliance to start operations by April 1, 2017. “Ocean Alliance is the largest operational agreement ever made between shipping companies. With more than 40 maritime services, we will be sharing our fleet with the largest Asian shipping companies,” said CMA CGM vice-chairman Rodolphe Saadé.
“By offering more ports and more direct calls as well as better transit times, we will provide our customers with unmatched quality services. This new offering is a cornerstone of our strategy as it reinforces our competitiveness and strengthens our position as a key player in the shipping industry.”
Source: Lloyd’s List
