G6 Alliance expands cooperation to Trans-Pacific trade

Hong Kong - A year after the G6 Alliance was formed, creating one of the largest vessel networks in the Asia-to-Europe trade lane, the six member lines have agreed to expand their cooperation to the Asia-to-North America East Coast trade.

The G6 Alliance will deploy more than 50 ships in the Trans-Pacific trade calling at almost 30 ports in Asia, North America East Coast, Canada, Central America, Caribbean, Indian Sub-continent, Mediterranean and the Middle East.

“Our cooperation in the Asia-to-Europe market has successfully provided customers with comprehensive service coverage as well as operating efficiencies,“ member carriers said in a statement. “This new agreement will bring the same winning formula to the Asia-to-North America East Coast trade and benefit shippers trading in this key trade lane.“

The new partnership is scheduled to begin in May 2013 with six coordinated services connecting Asian and North America East Coast ports. Three of the services will transit via the Suez Canal while the remaining three via the Panama Canal.

Member carriers said the new cooperation will be characterized by competitive transit times, broad port coverage and efficient containerships. The six coordinated services will offer an increased sailing frequency than what is currently offered by both The New World Alliance and the Grand Alliance combined.

The six loops are the result of the merger and revision of several existing services separately offered by the two alliances. It also includes an entirely new service to form a comprehensive and competitive Trans-Pacific network.

The G6 Alliance members are: APL, Hapag-Lloyd, Hyundai Merchant Marine, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Nippon Yusen Kaisha and Orient Overseas Container Line.  < Korea Shipping Gazette >