CMA-CGM alliance changes the overall picture of maritime transport

CMA-CGM, the third global container-shipping operator just signed a Memorandum of Understanding to form an alliance with Cosco Container Lines, Evergreen Line and Orient Overseas Container, in order to offer its services with a fleet of over 350 containerships.

In a press release published yesterday, the French corporation announced that the new merger would operate as Ocean Alliance providing over 40 competitive maritime services covering the Asia-Europe, Asia-Mediterranean, Asia-Red Sea, Asia-Middle East, Trans-Pacific, Asia-North America East Coast, and Trans-Atlantic trades.

 “The Ocean Alliance is a very ambitious operational agreement. CMA CGM and its new partners will offer more than 40 maritime loops, providing its customers with an enhanced network of services and fast transit times”, said Rodolphe Saadé, Vice-Chairman of the CMA CGM Group.

The new marriage plans to begin operations in April 2017, after regulatory approvals of competent authorities.

The sixth largest global carrier, Hapag-Lloyd, recently revealed that is going through a negotiating process with United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) to enhance its container shipping operations.

The German company mentioned that the merger would keep a 72%/28% relation. However, a full merger is still a possibility.

According to the data provided by Alphaliner, the new alliance would be fifth in the ranking, just behind Cosco. Additionally, Hapag-Lloyd would get access to six Triple E´s vessels (The largest containerships in the industry) owned by UASC with 18,000 TEU´s capacity each.