News / A greenlighted P3 alliance is likely to depress the boxship charter market

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Despite shipper concerns, it seems that unless there is a last minute deal-breaker, the proposed operational merger between the world’s three biggest container lines will get regulatory approval – albeit subject to close review and conditions – and the P3 network of Maersk Line, MSC and CMA CGM will begin operation on east-west trades sometime in the second half of this year.

Meeting in late December in Washington DC, senior officials from the US Federal Maritime Commission, EU Competition Commission and ...