Danish shipping company Maersk Line has entered into a deal with South Korea's Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) and Switzerland's Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) to form a strategic cooperation on East-West trade routes. 

The newly signed deal will include a series of slot exchanges and slot purchases among the three companies on their East-West trade routes for a period of three years.

The deal also includes an option to extend and cover major East-West trades.

Maersk Line Asia-Pacific chief executive Robbert van Trooijen said: “We believe this strategic cooperation to be a win-win for all parties.

“Maersk Line’s customers will have greater options on Trans-Pacific trades, and HMM’s customers will be able to leverage Maersk Line’s strong Asia-Europe products.

“Maersk Line has a long history in Korea spanning 87 years. Since 1930, when the first Maersk Line vessel called Korea, Maersk Line has supported the global ambitions of Korean brands.

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"Our partnership with Hyundai Merchant Marine is another link between Maersk Line and Korea.”

"Maersk Line’s customers will have greater options on Trans-Pacific trades, and HMM’s customers will be able to leverage Maersk Line’s strong Asia-Europe products."

The company currently serves its customers in 112 countries worldwide with a fleet over 611 container vessels.

Mediterranean Shipping Company senior vice-president Caroline Becquart said: “We constantly explore ways in which we can enhance our client offering and confirm our role as a trusted and reliable transportation partner.

“Today’s announcement is a very positive step, which will bring considerable benefits for our customers utilising the Trans-Pacific trade services.”

The company currently operates a fleet of 480 offices across 150 countries worldwide, employing more than 60,000 people.


Image: Deal signing among Maersk Line, HMM, and MSC. Photo: courtesy of Maersk Line A/S.

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