Skip to content

MSC, Maersk Line and CMA CGM to Establish an Operational Alliance

  • News

Abels have recieved information in connection of the proposed MSC, Maersk Line and CMA CGM Operational Alliance. The press release provided by MSC in connection of this planned alliance is shown below:


Press Release from MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company

MSC Savona

MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company S.A. , Maersk Line and CMA CGM have in principal agreed to establish a long-term operational alliance on the East – West trades, called the P3 Network. The aim is to improve and optimise operations and service offerings.

The P3 Network will operate a capacity of 2.6 million TEU (initially 255 vessels) on three trade lanes: Asia – Europe, Trans-Pacific and Trans-Atlantic.

While the P3 Network vessels will be operated independently by a joint vessel operating centre, the three lines will continue to have fully independent sales, marketing and customer service functions.

Improving services for the customers
The P3 Network will provide customers with more stable, frequent and flexible services.

Each of the lines will offer more weekly sailings in their combined network than they do individually. As an example, the P3 Network plans to offer 8 weekly sailings between Asia and Northern Europe. In addition the P3 Network will offer more direct ports of call.

The improved network is expected to reduce the disruptions for customers caused by cancelled sailings.

In order to provide customers with a consistent service offering across the network, the lines will establish an independent joint vessel operating centre.

Need for efficiency
Declining volume growth and over-capacity in recent years have underlined the need to improve operations and efficiency in the industry. This has prompted the creation of other operational alliances such as G6 and CKYH. Using the P3 Network the lines expect to be able improve their efficiency through better utilisation of vessel capacity.

Subject to approval
The lines intend to start operations in the 2nd quarter of 2014, but the starting date will be subject to obtaining the approval of relevant competition and other regulatory authorities.

In addition, the establishment of the P3 Network is subject to the lines agreeing on definitive contracts. Finalisation and signing of the contracts is planned for the 4th quarter of this year.

The P3 Network will operate a capacity of 2.6 million TEU (initially 255 vessels)

Maersk Line will contribute with approximately 42% of the capacity (including the new Triple-E ships), of about 1.1 million TEU. The Maersk Line product Daily Maersk will continue unchanged or improved in the future set-up

MSC will contribute with approximately 34% of the capacity, of about 0.9 million TEU of capacity

CMA CGM will contribute with approximately 24% of the capacity equalling 0.6 million TEU

Vessels contributed to the P3 Network will continue to be owned and/or chartered by the lines

End of the Press Release from MSC Mediterranean Shipping Company


For customers planning ahead for International Moves please contact Abels at our head office on +44(0)1842 816600 or email shipping@abels.co.uk