Major Shipping Alliance Reshuffle: Premier Alliance to Launch, MSC Unveils Standalone Network

Container shipping lines Ocean Network Express (ONE), HMM, and Yang Ming Marine Transportation have announced the formation of a new alliance named ‘Premier Alliance’, set to begin operations in February 2025.

Meanwhile, the world’s largest shipping line, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), has revealed its own plans for an independent network.

The ‘Premier Alliance’ partnership, spanning five years, will focus on major East-West trade routes, including Asia to North America and Europe.

The Premier Alliance emerges from the current THE Alliance, as Hapag-Lloyd prepares for its departure to join Maersk in the Gemini Cooperation in February 2025. The reshuffling of alliances marks a significant shift in the container shipping landscape.

“Collectively this new tripartite alliance will offer strong, reliable and highly dependable end-to-end direct port container services to its customers on both the Transpacific and Asia-Europe trades,” said Jeremy Nixon, CEO of ONE.

In a separate but related development, the Premier Alliance has also announced a slot exchange cooperation with MSC in the Asia-Europe trade. The cooperation will involve nine services, aiming to provide more extensive direct port coverage with frequent sailings in the Asia-North Europe and Mediterranean trade lanes.

The formation of the Premier Alliance and its cooperation with MSC comes as the industry prepares for another major change: the termination of the 2M Alliance between MSC and Maersk, effective January 2025.

MSC has now unveiled plans for a comprehensive standalone network starting February 2025. The network will offer unique East-West solutions, including routing options via both the Suez Canal and the Cape of Good Hope. MSC’s CEO, Soren Toft, stated: “Customers will benefit from MSC’s unmatched connectivity and direct corridors, coupled with consistent high quality of service.”