Ocean Alliance members, CMA CGM, Cosco, OOCL and Evergreen, have dispelled rumours that one may defect to THE Alliance (THEA) by extending their vessel-sharing agreement this week until 31 March 2032.
The extension of this contract appears to give a clear indication that the Ocean Alliance will continue in tact when the global carrier format reshuffles from 2025. The partners have stated “with the confirmation of at least five years’ cooperation extension”, they “would like to deliver a clear and positive signal” to their customers.
Last month, the industry was shocked at the announcement that Maersk and Hapag Lloyd would be working together in the Gemini Cooperation from next year. With Hapag Lloyd being an existing member of THE Alliance (THEA), rumours had been circulating that an Ocean Alliance partner could be about to jump ship to replace them in THEA.
The ten largest global carriers have now apparently committed to their direction from 2025, but with this week’s announcement THEA are currently one member short from where they were last year.
The remaining partners are now exclusively Asia based, which may explain why Taiwanese carrier Wan Hai Lines are being touted as a possible replacement for Hapag Lloyd. ONE are an amalgamation of Japanese carriers NYK, MOL and K Line, Yang Ming are Taiwanese, and HMM are South Korea based.
2025 will be the biggest shake up of the global carrier format in almost a decade, and as things stand the lineups are expected to look something like the below.
- MSC operating independently.
- Maersk & Hapag Lloyd working in the Gemini Cooperation.
- CMA CGM, Cosco, OOCL and Evergreen remain as The Ocean Alliance.
- ONE, Yang Ming and HMM remaining as THE Alliance (THEA).
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