Six leading container shipping lines have joined forces to create one of the largest vessel networks in the Far East-to-Europe trade lane, APL announced today (December 20).
The new G6 Alliance brings together members of The New World and Grand Alliance members, and promises improved port coverage in Asia, Europe and the Mediterranean, the company said in press release.
New World Alliance members are APL, Hyundai Merchant Marine, and Mitsui OSK Lines. Grand Alliance members are Hapag-Lloyd AG, Nippon Yusen Kaisha and Orient Overseas Container line.
The new partnership will create one of the leading networks in the Far East-to-Europe and Far East-to-Mediterranean container shipping markets with more than 90 ships in nine services calling at over 40 ports in Asia, Europe and the Mediterranean, APL said.
'This is a milestone agreement that significantly improves service coverage in the Asia-Europe market,' G6 Alliance members said in a statement. 'We will offer sailing frequencies and direct coverage that compete with anyone in the market.'
The new alliance is scheduled to begin operation by April 2012, with seven joint services operating between Asia and Europe, and two services to the Mediterranean.
When fully operational, nine joint services will offer multiple weekly calls at Singapore, South China, Rotterdam, Hamburg, Hong Kong Shanghai and Southampton.
Port of call also include Le Havre, Antwerp, Bremerhaven, Thamesport, the Bohai Bay ports of Dalian and Xingang, Ningbo, Qingdao, Xiamen, Kaohsiung, Cai Mep, Japanese ports, Colombo, Jeddah and Port Said.
Member carriers said the new alliance will be characterised by fast transit times, broad port coverage and the latest vessels with capacities of up to 14,000 TEU.
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