SM Line and HMM announce new cooperation in response to changing alliances

South Korean shipping companies SM Line and HMM have announced a new cooperation agreement that will see each carrier carrying 300 TEUs on the other’s Asia-US West Coast services starting in June. HMM will receive slots on SM Line’s CPX service, while SM Line will receive slots on HMM’s Pacific South Express (PSX) service. This collaboration comes at a time of upheaval in the container shipping alliances, as Hapag-Lloyd is set to leave THE Alliance in 2025.

The CPX service operated by SM Line uses six vessels with a capacity of 6,655 TEUs and a turnaround time of six weeks. On the other hand, HMM’s PSX service rotates in seven weeks and deploys ships ranging from 8,600 to 10,000 TEU, with plans to introduce a new 13,800 TEU vessel, the HMM Emerald. SM Line will now join other THE Alliance members like Hapag-Lloyd, ONE, and Yang Ming Marine Transport in placing slots on the PSX service.

The partnership between SM Line and HMM reflects a growing trend within the container shipping industry for carriers to collaborate more with other companies as alliances evolve. With Hapag-Lloyd leaving THE Alliance to establish the Gemini Cooperation with Maersk Line, member companies like HMM are seeking new partners to strengthen their distribution networks. Moving forward, collaboration between shipping companies is expected to increase to optimize operational efficiency and capacity utilization.

Source .