Shipping Focus: Navigating the Post-Maritime Alliances Restructuring: Strategies for 2025
Posted on 4th April 2025 at 10:00
Since the announcement of the 2M Alliance dissolution in January 2023, the global container shipping landscape has undergone its most significant changes in decades.
With Maersk and MSC having jointly managed over one-third of global container capacity through the 2M Alliance, its dissolution sent ripple effects across the industry, prompting major restructuring.
This dynamic landscape introduces market uncertainties, requiring shippers and industries alike to reassess their logistics strategies.
What is an Alliance?
Carrier Alliances are a clever way shipowners found in the early '90s to increase operational efficiency through collaboration. Alliance members share vessels, terminals, and resources with their partners to optimize their logistics without the need for separate investments in fleet and service expansion.
Beyond logistics, alliances influence global trade by dominating major maritime routes like Trans-Pacific, Asia-Europe, and Trans-Atlantic, orchestrating service frequency and influencing freight rates.
The ongoing restructuring is set to redefine maritime lanes, shift container capacity, and introduce a whole new way of collaboration. Here is what you need to know:
The Changing Landscape of Carrier Alliances
MSC Going Solo-Since 2022, MSC has emerged as the world’s largest container carrier by capacity.
The decision to exit the 2M alliance aligns with the company’s standalone strategy to operate as an independent container carrier, offering direct connections across major trade lanes.
With about 800 vessels, MSC alone controls around 20% of container traffic and an extensive network of over 300 routes, providing greater flexibility for shippers seeking global reach.
The Gemini Cooperation
With the 2M Alliance ending in January 2025, Maersk entered into a new operational partnership with Hapag-Lloyd, known as the "Gemini Cooperation," which commenced in February 2025. This alliance represents about 22% of the market, with approximately 340 ships and a combined capacity of 3.7 million TEUs.
Gemini focuses on reliability, aiming for 90% on-time delivery, in addition to global network optimization and the acceleration of decarbonization efforts. In terms of coverage, Gemini Cooperation covers major maritime lanes, including Asia-Europe, Trans-Pacific, and Trans-Atlantic.
The Ocean Alliance
Comprising CMA CGM, COSCO Shipping Lines, OOCL, and Evergreen Marine Corporation, this agreement remains stable amid recent shifts. It is one of the most powerful alliances, controlling around 29% of global container trade with a fleet of about 330 vessels and a combined capacity of 3.8 million TEUs.
The four shipowners provide efficient and frequent services on East-West trade lanes, primarily serving Asia-Europe, Asia-North America, and Trans-Pacific routes.
The Premier Alliance
Following Hapag-Lloyd’s departure to join Gemini, the remaining members of THE Alliance—Ocean Network Express (ONE), HMM, and Yang Ming—decided to continue their collaboration under a new name: The Premier Alliance, taking effect in February 2025.
The Premier Alliance represents about 12% of the market, with approximately 241 ships and a combined capacity of 3.3 million TEUs. The three ocean carriers focus on operational efficiency, offering reliable and flexible services in East-West shipping corridors, including:
Asia–North America West Coast
Asia–North America East Coast
Asia–Mediterranean
Asia–North Europe
Asia–Middle East
Key Takeaways for Shippers
Service Reliability vs. Cost Efficiency
While alliances like Gemini prioritize reliability with fewer services, MSC’s independent model and the Ocean Alliance emphasize flexibility. Choosing the right partner will depend on whether on-time delivery or cost optimization is the priority.
Service Availability and Diversification
The restructuring may lead to the discontinuation or alteration of certain services previously available under former alliances, especially with route optimization efforts from alliances like Gemini. To mitigate risks, shippers need to keep an eye on alternative service options offered by multiple carriers to find the best balance of shipment availability, delivery time, and cost.
Planning and Optimization
With many alliances focusing on improved operational efficiency, there might be windows for increased efficiency. Booking space in advance on the most suitable services will help avoid delay risks and associated costs, improving overall supply chain performance.
Our experts are continuously monitoring the situation, identifying adjusted routes, new services, schedules, and rates to help businesses navigate these changes and optimize their supply chain.
Tagged as: far east freight, gemini, global freight, indian ocean freight, Mediterranean freight, msc, north atlantic freight, ocean alliance, ocean freight bookings, ocean freight rates, ocean freight routes, pacific ocean freight, premier alliance, red sea freight, sea freight, seafreight, south asia freight, south atlantic freight
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