The container shipping industry is undergoing significant restructuring as major carriers realign their networks for 2025. These changes represent one of the most substantial shifts in ocean carrier partnerships in recent years, with new alliances and cooperations emerging to serve global trade routes.
Premier Alliance: A New Force in Global Shipping
Ocean Network Express (ONE), HMM, and Yang Ming Marine Transportation have announced their collaboration under the Premier Alliance, effective February 2025. This strategic partnership will operate across major East-West trade lanes, including:
- Asia - North America West Coast
- Asia - North America East Coast
- Asia - Mediterranean
- Asia - North Europe
- Asia - Middle East
The alliance recently faced a temporary setback when the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) halted its implementation, citing the need for additional information to analyze potential competitive impacts. The FMC has initiated a 45-day review period, with a 15-day window for shipper feedback.
Ocean Alliance: Extended Commitment Through 2032
CMA CGM, COSCO SHIPPING, Evergreen, and OOCL have strengthened their partnership by extending the Ocean Alliance until 2032. As the world's largest operational shipping network since 2017, the Ocean Alliance continues to prioritize:
- Best-in-class services with competitive sailing frequencies
- Extensive port coverage across seven major East/West trades
- Environmental initiatives, including CMA CGM's commitment to operate 120+ vessels with alternative green fuels by 2027
Gemini Cooperation: Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd's New Partnership
The Gemini Cooperation of Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, launching February 2025, represents a significant shift in carrier partnerships. Key features include:
- Coverage of seven trades with 57 services
- Fleet of approximately 340 vessels
- Total capacity of 3.7 million TEU
- Industry-leading schedule reliability target of >90%
- Focus on sustainability with plans to reduce absolute emissions by over one-third by 2030
Strategic Carrier Cooperation and Independent Carriers
ZIM and MSC Cooperation
A new operational partnership focusing on the Transpacific trade will launch in February 2025 between ZIM and MSC featuring:
- Six services connecting Asia to US East Coast, West Coast of Mexico, Caribbean ports, and US Gulf ports
- Three-year agreement including slot swap and vessel sharing
- Emphasis on eco-friendly vessels, including LNG-powered ships
Swire Shipping and NPDL
While not new as of 2024 nor 2025, it is notable to mention this niche market that is important for US exporters to the South Pacific. After Hamburg Sud (now under the Maersk brand) exited the South Pacific trade on May 27, 2023, and left Swire Shipping as the lone carrier to call the South Pacific from the USWC, NPDL announced on June 13, 2023 that effective July 23, 2023 they would commence their CALPAC service from Long Beach and Oakland to the South Pacific, including Papeete, Apia, and Pago Pago and onward to Nuku’alofa, Suva, and Lautoka on NPDL’s ANZPAC Service, to Tarawa and Micronesia on NPDL’s INTRAPAC service and to Port Vila, Santo and Noumea on NPDL’s NOUVAPAC service. Connections to Tuvalu, Wallis and Futuna and Cook Islands are also available. Swire and NPDL have a VSA in place to share vessel space on this fortnightly service between Oakland, Long Beach and the South Pacific.
Independent Carriers Making Moves
Several independent carriers are adapting their strategies for 2025:
- Wan Hai Lines is expanding its trans-Pacific network through a slot exchange with ONE which adds to their existing services to on the TPEB trade, their AP1 service and its round-the-world US East Coast-Asia-America 7 service.
- Hede Shipping has modified its China-US West Coast express service
- TS Lines is joining SeaLead Shipping's Asia-US West Coast service
Market Impact and Industry Outlook
These alliance restructurings are expected to benefit shippers through:
- More diverse network options
- Enhanced schedule reliability
- Improved port coverage
- Greater focus on sustainability
- Competitive service offerings
For shippers and logistics providers, these changes represent both opportunities and challenges as they adapt to new service networks and schedules. The industry continues to evolve with a clear focus on reliability, sustainability, and operational efficiency.
Looking Ahead
As these new alliances and partnerships prepare for implementation in early 2025, the industry awaits regulatory approvals and final network details. Shippers should stay informed about these developments and consider how these changes might affect their supply chains. Keep an eye on the Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security (SHIPS) for America Act of 2024 aka SHIPS for American Act, a bill introduced by Arizona Senator Mark Kelly on December 19, 2024, to increase the U.S.-flag international fleet and U.S. shipping building industry.
Contact our team or Request a Quote to learn more about how these alliance changes might affect your shipping needs.