News / Extra capacity will weaken transpacific carrier hands in contract talks

The new alliance set up and the launch of three independent services, combined with a weak start to the year for demand on the headhaul, does not augur well for Asia-US west coast annual contract negotiations, according to consultant Drewry.

It calculates that the new alliance structures, which come into play on Saturday, will increase headhaul capacity by about 4% and by 2% on the backhaul, compared with April 2016.

In addition, Zim launches its pendulum (ZMP) service deploying 14 4,500 teu vessels; HMM three standalone services operated ...