[ NOL Exit Prompts Rethink of Transpacific Ser...]

NOL Exit Prompts Rethink of Transpacific Service at Grand Alliance
According to the Shipping and Trade News reported recently, A new tran
spacific service structure has been mooted by the Grand Alliance follo
wing the announcement of the defection of NOL to join a new grouping.
The new set-up, details of which will be released shortly, is likely t
o comprise three separate routings, replacing the present two (Pacific
Southwest, Pacific Southwest/Northwest), according to a Grand Allianc
e statement.
Next spring, meanwhile, will see the completion of the merger into the
Grand Alliance of ships from Nedlloyd. The Dutch carrier is in the p
rocess of switching alliances following its incorporation into P&O Ned
lloyd.
At the same time, Nol will finish the withdrawal of its ships from the
grouping to join a new alliance that will, so far, also include Mitsu
i O.S.K. Lines and Hyundai Merchant Marine.
NOL will join the new alliance under the APL brand name, having by the
n integrated its containership fleet with that of the U.S. carrier. N
OL expects to finalize its merger with APL November 12.
With Orient Overseas Container Line having a long-running relationship
with APL, the Hong Kong company is also considered a candidate for th
e newly announced alliance.
OOCL has confirmed that it is in discussions with NOL on furture trans
pacific and Asia/Europe services and that its final decision will be a
nnounced by the end of this year.