News / Post-P3, Maersk and MSC try their luck on the east-west trades with the 2M Alliance

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On the rebound from the thwarted P3 Alliance, Maersk Line and MSC today announced the 2M – a vessel-sharing agreement for 185 ships on east-west tradelanes.

There is no room for the third P3 member, French carrier CMA CGM, in the 10-year deal, which covers 21 strings and features a combined capacity of 2.1m teu.

Chinese regulators blocked the 255-ship P3 Alliance plans last month, but the lines remained convinced of the need to improve vessel utilisation and lower slot costs.

However, it ...