South Korean liner operators HMM and SM Line are working together on long-haul routes for the first time.
On 13 May, SM Line said that each carrier will take 300 TEU on each other’s Asia-US West Coast services, starting in June.
Slots
SM Line will take slots on HMM’s Pacific South Express (PSX), which calls at Shanghai, Gwangyang, Busan, Los Angeles, Oakland, Busan, Gwangyang, Incheon and Shanghai. PSX turns in seven weeks, using six ships of 8,600 to 10,000 TEUs.
SM Line joins other THE Alliance members, Hapag-Lloyd, ONE and Yang Ming Marine Transport in slotting on PSX.
The cooperation between South Korea’s two ocean-going carriers coincides with the upheaval in container shipping alliances.
With Hapag-Lloyd leaving THE Alliance to form Gemini Cooperation with Maersk Line in February 2025, it has become increasingly necessary for THE Alliance members to attract other shipping companies as partners.
Step up collaborations
Xeneta’s chief analyst Peter Sand told Container News that THE Alliance members are likely to step up collaborations with other box lines, rather than seeking to replace Hapag-Lloyd in the grouping.
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Source: Containernews
