News / Japanese box line merger to spark more consolidation – 'fewer but stronger carriers'

The merger of the three Japanese container divisions, scheduled for April 2018, could trigger another wave of shipping M&A activity.

According to Drewry, it will widen the gap between the biggest and medium-sized carriers.

The formation of a Japanese joint venture liner company, to become the world’s fifth-largest, will “cast medium-sized carriers adrift”, said Drewry.

The analyst identified OOCL, Yang Ming, Hamburg Sud and Zim as the carriers most challenged by recent consolidation in the industry.

“The way things are heading, it is perhaps more relevant to ...