Member lines of THE Alliance declared “unwavering commitment to maintaining a robust cooperation throughout 2024,” in an effort to stop any rumours concerning the future of Alliance.

THE Alliance, which includes four leading global shipping companies, Hapag-Lloyd, HMM, Yang Ming Marine Transport, and Ocean Network Express, announced in December service network adjustment for 2024, to “ensure a comprehensive port coverage.”

It has been a week since Hapag-Lloyd shocked its liner partners by announcing an operational cooperation with Maersk, which will start in February 2025.

As a result of joining this cooperation, it was reported that Hapag-Lloyd will leave THE Alliance end of January 2025.

The new long-term operational collaboration called “Gemini Cooperation” will comprise a fleet pool of around 290 vessels with a combined capacity of 3.4 million containers (TEU); Maersk will deploy 60% and Hapag-Lloyd 40%.

The cooperation will cover 7 trades: Asia / US West Coast, Asia / US East Coast, Asia / Middle East, Asia / Mediterranean, Asia / North Europe, Middle East – India / Europe and Transatlantic.

The two partners claim that have set the ambitious target of “delivering schedule reliability of above 90% once the network is fully phased in.”

However, THE Alliance group yesterday in a release said: “In response to recent developments surrounding THE Alliance, which includes member lines Hapag-Lloyd, HMM, Yang Ming Marine Transport, and Ocean Network Express, we wish to emphasize our unwavering commitment to maintaining a robust cooperation throughout 2024, ensuring that the highest standards of cooperation and exceptional service are delivered to our stakeholders and the industry at large.”

Established in 2016, THE Alliance started operations in April 2017. Together, the companies operate 260 ships, call at 82 ports, and offer 31 different services.

“A broad port coverage, high sailing frequencies and a variety of services, our customers greatly benefit from the dense network of THE Alliance,” the shipping companies claim.

THE Alliance announced in December service network adjustment for 2024, to “ensure a comprehensive port coverage.”

Specifically, the updated service setup will be effective from April 2024.