Container shipping alliances and mergers

The larger operators continue to add capacity with around 80% of the orders for container ships currently for larger vessels, estimated to be up to 25% more cost efficient. Demand growth in the routes from Europe to Asia has been less than expected in 2013

The big players have responded to this situation

* Maersk Line, CMA CGM and MSC have established the P3 Network, which is due to start operations in mid-2014

* Hapag-Lloyd and CSAV are proposing to merge

These developments increase the pressures on smaller operators and may result in further consolidation amongst them.

Supplychain21 is able to help its customers achieve competitive costs by working with a number of shipping lines and agents to optimise prices, availability and performance. If you are interested in our services, please contact us at mail@supplychain21.com or on 01858 451781