We are in the midst of a time of realignment of trade lanes, service reliability and market dynamics globally.
Since the beginning of February, shipping has undergone a significant transformation with the new configuration of scheduled container services following the dissolution of the 2M Alliance between Maersk and MSC.
Current alliances.
Gemini Cooperation: Formed by Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd. This alliance focuses on a hub-and-spoke model, reducing direct calls and improving the reliability of itineraries.
Premier Alliance: Comprises ONE, HMM and Yang Ming, and continues to offer a wide port coverage.
MSC. It will operate independently, maintaining an extensive network of direct services to numerous ports.
Ocean Alliance: Partners CMA CGM, COSCO/OOCL and Evergreen have extended their agreement until 2032, maintaining their commitment to broad port coverage and competitive transit times.
This realignment reveals divergent strategies in the reorganisation of shipping routes. Some carriers will base their method of freight distribution by centralising logistics in a hub, reducing direct calls on their main services, others remain committed to a more extensive offer of calls in Asian and European ports.
Market dominance and resilience. Dominant alliances, such as Ocean Alliance, will maintain their position on routes between Asia and North America, while smaller independent carriers will grow in underserved markets. These changes will strengthen the resilience of supply chains in the face of geopolitical challenges.
Service changes. MSC’s independence will offer a network of direct port-to-port services, benefiting shippers seeking wide coverage. Gemini and Premier alliances will focus on schedule reliability and route optimisation, appealing to those who prioritise predictability.
Costs and flexibility, While upfront costs may increase, the new scenario will offer customised solutions, improving cost management. Companies will need to review their purchasing models and logistics strategies, optimising routes and selecting appropriate suppliers to mitigate risks and take advantage of new opportunities.
Capabilities and competition. Restructuring will vary shipping lines’ capacities, improving efficiency on some routes and causing temporary disruptions on others. This competitive environment will improve services, but will lead to fluctuations in prices.
*This article has been automatically translated from its Spanish version.
