Maersk, CMA CGM: No plans to expand transpacific partnership, yet

There are no immediate plans to extend the Asia/U.S. West Coast vessel sharing agreement announced on Friday by the world抯 three largest container-shipping firms, according to senior managers at Maersk Line and CMA CGM.

Over the next couple of months the Danish and French companies will partner with Swiss carrier Mediterranean Shipping Co. with each line replacing existing transpacific services with new joint operations.

It will be the first time the European giants have all worked together, although CMA CGM and MSC do operate one joint Asia/U.S. West Coast service called Pearl River Express that uses five ships averaging 8,200 TEUs. MSC and Maersk have just ended a transatlantic agreement and still cooperate in the Asia/Australia and North America/Africa trades. 

Source: American Shipper