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The Premiere Alliance Agreement took effect on Feb. 9, 2025
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The agreement allows HMM Co. Ltd, Ocean Network Express Pte Ltd., and Yang Ming Joint Service Agreement to share vessels in trade between the US and Asia, the Middle East, and Europe
The US Federal Maritime Commission has approved the Premiere Alliance Agreement (PAA) of HMM Co. Ltd, Ocean Network Express Pte Ltd., and Yang Ming.
The agreement, which allows the three carriers to share vessels in trade between the US and Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, took effect on Feb. 9.
The three launched the Premier Alliance following the departure of Hapag-Lloyd from The Alliance when it teamed up with Maersk to form the Gemini Cooperation.
The agreement is good for five years and includes a separate agreement with Mediterranean Shipping Co.
The Alliance was established in 2016 as one of three industrial collaborations. It began operations in April 2017 and involved 260 ships, making 82 port visits and providing 31 distinct services on the main commercial routes.
The pact was originally filed before the FMC on Oct. 28, 2024.
On Nov. 5, the FMC issued Requests for Additional Information (RFAI) in order to collect the necessary data to complete an economic analysis of the competitive effects of the pact.
The RFAI process includes a 15-day public comment period. This generated filings by two industry trade associations.
The FMC deemed the information provided by the PAA as responsive on Dec. 26, 2024.
Under the law, the FMC has a maximum of 45 days to review a newly-filed agreement or the responses to an RFAI before the agreement automatically takes effect.
Alliance agreements are subject to the strictest standards for ongoing monitoring by the FMC.
The FMC seeks any information regarding suspected violations of the Shipping Act, 46 U.S.C. § 40101 et seq. or Commission regulations. This includes misconduct by any company participating in an alliance agreement.
