Vessel Sharing Alliance Between World’s Biggest Container Shipping Lines Will Proceed Apace

SWITZERLAND – WORLDWIDE – As detailed in our story yesterday as news broke, the container shipping alliance between the world’s two largest box carriers, Maersk Line and Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) is to proceed now that tacit approval has been received from the US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). Full details of the affected routes and services can be seen in earlier pieces simply by typing 2M into the search box at the head of the page.

MSC, which up to now had chosen to remain relatively quiet on the subject, has now stated publicly that it is ‘delighted’ to be able to announce that the plans to launch a combined service with its largest rival are to proceed apace. On 10 July 2014, MSC announced proposals for the 10-year vessel sharing agreement (VSA) with Maersk Line on the Asia-Europe, Transatlantic and Transpacific trades.

It should be noted that these proposals remained subject to the consent of relevant international authorities. There remain a number of procedures still in process in other countries, with whose authorities MSC will continue to work towards completion of regulatory requirements. However, the US was the only remaining jurisdiction in which the VSA had yet to obtain approval that had the potential to suspend or delay the 2M implementation. Diego Aponte, President and CEO of MSC, commented:

"MSC is very pleased to have reached this milestone in good time for the commencement of our new 2M services. MSC is grateful to the FMC for the thorough, efficient and professional manner in which the notification was reviewed. We are very excited that our customers will benefit from the outstanding service enhancements that 2M will deliver as early as the beginning of next year.”