The three members of the Grand Alliance and their three colleagues from the New World Alliance are to form a new G6 Alliance together. The two alliances have already been swapping slots between the Far East and Europe for some time. From April onwards, APL, Hapag-Lloyd, Hyundai Merchant Marine, MOL, NYK and OOCL will operate seven weekly container services between the Far East and Northern Europe.
Rotterdam 6 out of 7
In the Benelux, Rotterdam will receive six of the seven new loops. Only the second loop, with 8,750 TEU ships operated by Hapag-Lloyd, has Antwerp as the only port of call in the Benelux. It is also the only G6 service for the Scheldehaven. By joining forces in this way, the G6 Alliance can offer as many weekly departures as Maersk Line. Just like five rival shipping lines, G6 will get some very large container ships in 2012, each one in excess of 10,000 TEU. This will increase the transport capacity.
Source: Nieuwsblad Transport, 20-12-2011
