CMA CGM, COSCO Container Lines, Evergreen Line and Orient Overseas Container Line has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to form a new Alliance enabling each of them to offer competitive products and comprehensive service networks covering the Asia-Europe, Asia-Mediterranean, Asia-Red Sea, Asia-Middle East, Trans-Pacific, Asia-North America East Coast, and Trans-Atlantic trades.
<\/br>This is a milestone agreement among four of the world\u2019s leading container shipping lines. Each line will offer best-in-class services to customers with fast transit times, competitive sailing frequencies, and the most extensive Port coverage in the market.
<\/br>\u201cThis new partnership will allow each of its members to bring significantly improved services to its respective customers,\u201d member carriers said in a statement. \u201cShippers will have an attractive selection of frequent departures and direct calls to meet their supply chain needs, including access to a vast network with the largest number of sailings and port rotations connecting markets in Asia, Europe and the United States.\u201d
<\/br>\u201cThe Alliance will also bring service reliability and the most efficient integration of the latest vessels in a fleet of over 350 containerships.
<\/br>Initially the deployment will cover more than 40 services globally mostly connected with Asia, including about 20 services each in the U.S. and Europe related trades.\u201d Subject to regulatory approvals of competent authorities, the new Alliance plans to begin operations in April 2017.\u00a0 The initial period of the Alliance shall be five years.
<\/br>\u201cThe 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,\u201d remarked Rodolphe Saade, Vice Chairman of CMA CGM Group.
<\/br>\u201cToday is a great day for COSCO Container Lines. OCEAN Alliance is a better match for our globalization strategy. We will provide customers with more selections and improved service world-wide,\u201d remarked by COSCO Container Lines.
<\/br>\u201cJoint service cooperation is an essential part of our own strategic planning.\u00a0 This new alliance enables us to optimize fleet deployment and offer competitive service to meet customers\u2019 changing demand,\u201d remarked by Lawrence Lee, CEO of Evergreen Marine Corporation.
<\/br>Upon signing the MOU, Andy Tung, CEO of Orient Overseas Container Line remarked: \u201cThe extensive network and port coverage of the new alliance will offer our customers a wide range of choices and highly competitive services for their supply chains. The new alliance will also be a platform for our ongoing growth as well as improve our cost and efficiency.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"