MAERSK and Mediterranean Shipping Company (the ‘2M Alliance’) and Israeli line ZIM have announced an agreement to extend their strategic cooperation.
The agreement is to cover select 2M services on the Asia – US West Coast and Asia – Mediterranean trade lanes.
Between Asia and the US West Coast, the TP9 service is to be operated as a vessel sharing arrangement string where ZIM is to operate four vessels and 2M is to operate three vessels.
Part of the ZIM slots on the TP9 are to be swapped for access to slots on the 2M operated TP8 service.
“Having successfully implemented our strategic cooperation, we are very pleased to expand the partnership with ZIM into additional geographies,” said A.P. Moller – Maersk chief operating officer Søren Toft.
This agreement is expected to deliver benefits for all parties, with Maersk getting operational efficiencies enabling to deliver competitive and reliable products for customers in the world’s most comprehensive East-West network.
In a statement from Mediterranean Shipping Company, the liner said the rotations would remain the same as per the announcement of new 2M East-West Network published in December 2018.
“The new arrangements will enhance MSC’s products across these regions and offer competitive and reliable schedules to our customers,” MSC stated.
The service changes are expected to begin in March 2019, assuming it gets the green light from regulators.
ZIM President and chief executive Eli Glickman said they were proud to team up with the two largest players in the industry.
“The new strategic agreement means faster and more efficient service with better geographic coverage and extended direct port calls for the benefit of our customers, in line with our vision to provide best-in-class service,” Mr Glickman said.
“We will significantly increase our ability to provide the ‘best of both worlds’: top-level line coverage combined with our exceptional customer service and personal touch. The agreement is a game-changer, and I am confident it will support ZIM’s growth and profitability.”
