Zim Integrated Shipping Services is one of several container lines reworking their transpacific presence in 2017. Together with Wan Hai, Pacific International Lines and new trans-Pacific carrier SM Line are revamping strings or launching new services across the Pacific from April, the same month the new Ocean Alliance and THE Alliance start their operations and go head-to-head with the 2M Alliance and strategic partner Hyundai Merchant Marine.
The carriers are planning to capitalise on growing US containerised imports that IHS Markit Maritime & Trade senior economist Mario Moreno expects to expand four to five per cent in 2017, reaching a new peak of 21.4 million TEU, mainly because of stronger economic growth. US real GDP is forecast to grow 2.3 per cent this year after expanding by only 1.6 per cent in 2016.
PIL and Wan Hai will revamp their two Asia-US west coast strings, which will be jointly operated with Cosco Shipping Lines, according to Alphaliner. The two strings will be operated outside of the Ocean Alliance network, of which Cosco is a member along with CMA CGM, Evergreen Line, and Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL).
PIL and Wan Hai are also expected to take slots on some of the Ocean Alliance's transpacific loops covering the Pacific Southwest and Pacific Northwest routes through slot exchange arrangements with Cosco and CMA CGM, but it is unclear whether Evergreen and OOCL will be involved in the slot swaps.
In mid-December, Zim announced a restructuring that was independent of any of the alliances and part of a plan to focus on trades in which it has a strong position and competitive advantages. Zim's all-water ZCP service via the Panama Canal between Asia and the US east coast will be upgraded and offer inland destinations from the main ports, the Haifa-based carrier said.
On top of the revamped services, Alphaliner said Zim will launch an Asia-Vancouver service in April called the Zim North Pacific service, or ZNP. Alphaliner said Zim was also expected to have a slot swap arrangement with HMM on the ZNP. HMM earlier said that it would continue to run three Asia-west coast North America services independently, with Maersk and Mediterranean Shipping Co. participating through slots within a 2M+HMM arrangement.
In April, SM Line plans to deploy five ships acquired from Hanjin Shipping with capacities of 6,500 TEU on a service connecting China and South Korea to the port of Long Beach. The carrier will set sail without the help of an alliance. SM Line is the newly created entity that acquired Hanjin Shipping's transpacific and intra-Asian businesses.
SM Line CEO Kim Chil-bong was confident of his company's prospects in the crowded market, and he brushed off suggestions that the carrier would be involved in a fight for market share. "We won't enter a price war, but we will offer competitive fares through cost-benefit analysis," he said.
The carriers are planning to capitalise on growing US containerised imports that IHS Markit Maritime & Trade senior economist Mario Moreno expects to expand four to five per cent in 2017, reaching a new peak of 21.4 million TEU, mainly because of stronger economic growth. US real GDP is forecast to grow 2.3 per cent this year after expanding by only 1.6 per cent in 2016.
PIL and Wan Hai will revamp their two Asia-US west coast strings, which will be jointly operated with Cosco Shipping Lines, according to Alphaliner. The two strings will be operated outside of the Ocean Alliance network, of which Cosco is a member along with CMA CGM, Evergreen Line, and Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL).
PIL and Wan Hai are also expected to take slots on some of the Ocean Alliance's transpacific loops covering the Pacific Southwest and Pacific Northwest routes through slot exchange arrangements with Cosco and CMA CGM, but it is unclear whether Evergreen and OOCL will be involved in the slot swaps.
In mid-December, Zim announced a restructuring that was independent of any of the alliances and part of a plan to focus on trades in which it has a strong position and competitive advantages. Zim's all-water ZCP service via the Panama Canal between Asia and the US east coast will be upgraded and offer inland destinations from the main ports, the Haifa-based carrier said.
On top of the revamped services, Alphaliner said Zim will launch an Asia-Vancouver service in April called the Zim North Pacific service, or ZNP. Alphaliner said Zim was also expected to have a slot swap arrangement with HMM on the ZNP. HMM earlier said that it would continue to run three Asia-west coast North America services independently, with Maersk and Mediterranean Shipping Co. participating through slots within a 2M+HMM arrangement.
In April, SM Line plans to deploy five ships acquired from Hanjin Shipping with capacities of 6,500 TEU on a service connecting China and South Korea to the port of Long Beach. The carrier will set sail without the help of an alliance. SM Line is the newly created entity that acquired Hanjin Shipping's transpacific and intra-Asian businesses.
SM Line CEO Kim Chil-bong was confident of his company's prospects in the crowded market, and he brushed off suggestions that the carrier would be involved in a fight for market share. "We won't enter a price war, but we will offer competitive fares through cost-benefit analysis," he said.