THE Maersk, MSC and CMA CGM alliance to share 255 ships in 29 loops on
Asia-Europe, transpacific and transatlantic routes next year stand to
create problems within its own ranks because of conflicting interests
from the terminals they own, according to Drewry Maritime Research
analysts.
Maersk group owns APM Terminals, MSC has Terminal Investments Limited
(TIL), and CMA CGM has Terminal Link, resulting in differing port
preferences, said the Drewry report, adding that "choosing the best port and terminal will not only come down to the best for each job".
"Rationalisation of ports and terminals within the P3 network may be a
bridge too far, at least initially, which may explain why the number of
services to be offered between Asia-Europe and Asia-North America looks
very similar to what is on offer at present," Drewry said in conclusion.
"Schedules may remain the same, only with port pair and vessel
adjustments as needs dictate. If so, then each carrier's containers may
find themselves headed towards unusual ports and terminals at times,"
said the report.
"Rotterdam's Maasvlakte 2 terminals are due to open at the end of next
year. They tick all the boxes for P3's vessels, but will they tick all
the boxes of each member?"
Each of the three carriers already operates more megaships than rivals,
so catering for their combined cargo handling requirements will be on a
scale never seen before - 2.6 million TEU.
Drewry also points out the consolidation will result in tampering with
the well-established berthing windows of each schedule, and the
feeder/intermodal connections of each carrier that will be separate
under the plan.
Ports and terminal selection must be based on an ability to handle
megaships efficiently with long quays deep water and three or four
cranes per ship each spanning 21-22 rows.
But there will be tensions. "APM Terminals has a presence in
Bremerhaven, where Maersk has more than 10 port calls a week, but not
Hamburg, and MSC prefers Antwerp over Rotterdam," Drewry noted.
OPINION
14 July 2013 - 21:28
Drewry: Do P3 alliance insider tensions make scheme a 'bridge too far'?
THE Maersk, MSC and CMA CGM alliance to share 255 ships in 29 loops on Asia-Europe, transpacific and transatlantic routes next year stand to create problems within its own ranks
OPINION
14 July 2013 - 21:28
Drewry: Do P3 alliance insider tensions make scheme a 'bridge too far'?
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