Overview of the Current Shipping Alliances

Premier Alliance

From February 2025, Ocean Network Express, Yang Ming Marine Transport Corp. and HMM will form the ‘Premier Alliance‘. The cooperation covers the most important East-West trades with more than 80 direct port calls: Asia-North America West Coast, Asia-North America East Coast, Asia-Mediterranean, Asia-North Europe and Asia-Middle East.

Gemini Cooperation

The cooperation between Hapag-Lloyd AG and Maersk A/S will also begin in February 2025 under the name ‘Gemini Cooperation’. Hapag had been part of ‘THE Alliance’ since 2017 and Maersk had been part of the ‘2M Alliance’ since 2015. Both companies left their alliances in order to optimise operational efficiency on the East-West trade lanes.

Ocean Alliance

CMA CGM, COSCO SHIPPING, EVERGREEN LINE, and OOCL is the only alliance that has existed unchanged since 2017 and will continue until at least 2032. This alliance offers a comprehensive network of routes based on the major trade lanes between Asia, Europe and North America. By continuing the partnership, the shipowners ensure stability and consistent capacity on their current routes.

Strategic Partnerships

MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company and ZIM Integrated Shipping Services will operate as independent shipping companies with strategic partnerships on some routes. In addition, MSC has announced that it will offer a unique and comprehensive East-West solution, offering route options that pass through both the Suez Canal and the Cape of Good Hope. This future independent network will replace the current 2M VSA agreement with Maersk on the East-West routes.

To further strengthen and improve the service network, MSC and the Premier Alliance have agreed on a slot exchange cooperation in the Asia-Europe trade lanes.