-
The 2M alliance was the most consistent in terms of schedule reliability among the three current alliance structures from 2017-2024, according to latest information from Sea-Intelligence
-
In terms of deployed capacity, Ocean Alliance has been by far the most dominant carrier alliance structure
The 2M alliance was the most consistent in terms of schedule reliability among the three shipping alliances from 2017-2024, according to latest information from Sea-Intelligence.
2M had the highest composite score, ranked first in 49% of the instances, and second in 31% of the instances.
Ocean Alliance was the next most-reliable carrier alliance, having been first in 36% of the instances, and second in 39% of the instances.
THE Alliance only managed to come out on top in 15% of the instances and was second in 31% of the instances.
The three-alliance structure has existed since 2017, with a new structure to take effect in February 2025.
Maersk and MSC comprise the 2M alliance, although the partnership will be terminated in January 2025.
Ocean Alliance consists of COSCO shipping, CMA CGM, Evergreen, and OOCL, with the group extending its arrangement to 2032.
THE Alliance groups ONE, HMM, Yang Ming and Hapag-Lloyd, although the latter will depart next year. The group will then go by its new name, Premier Alliance.
READ: FMC delays new alliance of ONE, HMM, Yang Ming
In both 2017 and 2018, Ocean Alliance was the most consistent carrier alliance in terms of schedule reliability, followed closely by 2M, with THE Alliance lagging considerably, Sea-Intelligence noted. In 2019 and 2020, 2M and Ocean Alliance switched places, whereas in 2021, Ocean Alliance dropped below even THE Alliance.
In 2024, Ocean Alliance has once again regained the top spot, and THE Alliance has seen a significant resurgence in schedule reliability, elevating it to the second spot. 2M was the least consistent carrier alliance in terms of schedule reliability in 2024.
In an earlier information, Sea-Intelligence noted that of the three, Ocean Alliance has been by far the most dominant carrier in terms of deployed capacity on the Asia-North America West Coast from 2017-2024.
On the opposite end is 2M, with the lowest deployed capacity. Further, throughout the life cycle of the existing structure, there has hardly been any movement indicating a change in market dynamics.
THE Alliance has in recent months captured more capacity market share and is closing in on Ocean Alliance. On Asia-North Europe, the Ocean Alliance overtook 2M by the end of 2018 as they increased their capacity market share. Since then, Ocean Alliance has maintained the highest capacity market share, with 2M close by.
On the other hand, THE Alliance has a different market strategy, keeping the lowest capacity market share throughout, according to Sea Intelligence.
