[ OOCL Join the Grand Alliance next year ]

An announcement was made recently by Orient Overseas Container Lines(O
OCL) of its intention to join the “Grand Alliance” next year.
APL, Hyundai Merchant Marine(HMM), Mitsui O.S.K. Lines(MOL) and Neptun
e Orient Lines(NOL) commented that OOCL’s decision to join the Grand
Alliance is a logical move for the liner industry and it will enhance
stability in the industry through a better balance of capacity demand
and supply in both alliances.
As was earlier announced, a new Alliance will be formed amongst APL, H
MM and MOL; the new Alliance will be unaffected by OOCL’s announcemen
t.
This new Alliance will provide the most comprehensive global network o
f services by deploying more than 100 modern containerships. This make
s it the largest integrated shipping Alliance in the East-West routes.
It also has a new built-in mechanism for quicker decision-making to r
espond to the fast-changing trade environment.
The three carriers will operate on a world-wide basis including the tr
ans-Atlantic sector and are committed to provide unmatched services to
customers in all trade lanes. They will operate at least nine weekly
sailings between Asia and North America(the highest sailing frequency
offered to shippers), at least three weekly sailings between Asia and
Europe and weekly sailings between North America and Europe. The new t
rans-Atlantic service will be launched by next spring.
The new Alliance is committed to provide comprehensive and quality glo
bal services for all customers, and will continue to focus on improvem
ents to its service. the Alliance will be characterized by quick respo
nses to market conditions and attention to existing and envolving cust
omer needs.