ACL and H-L call it splits

 The fallout from the Maersk / Hapag-Lloyd "Gemini Cooperation" began earlier this year. As soon as the arrangement was announced H-L stated that they would be leaving THE Alliance effective early 2025. There was some fear that that the other partners, ONE, HMM and Yang Ming would not be able to survive the loss, but it has now been reported that MSC has stepped in. As the world's largest container line MSC can bring considerable stability to THE Alliance. (MSC had been party to the 2M Alliance with Maersk which will also expire). It is still possible that various lines will re-form into different arrangements, but it is now much less likely.

Atlantic Container Line has announced that it is withdrawing from the longstanding "reciprocal space charter and sailing agreement" with Hapag-Lloyd. Initially established in 1986 and renewed every ten years, the agreement saw ACL moving some of its ships to H-L's Montreal route for a time and even renaming them with "Express" names.

The G3 (third generation) ACL ship Atlantic Companion was renamed Companion Express from 1987 to 1994.

 There was lots of Hapag-Lloyd orange on deck as Atlantic Cartier arrived in Haifax and also on the Atlantic Compass:

Atlantic Concert carried the name Concert Express from 1987-1994.

In recent years H-L boxes (and the green United Arab Shipping Co's UASC boxes) have been fewer and fewer on ACL ships (at least from what can be seen on deck), so it is uncertain how severe a jolt this latest development will be for the Grimaldi-owned ACL. There is also talk that H-L may establish a new transatlantic service of its own calling in Saint John, NB. H-L and CP Rail (now CPKC) also have longstanding ties, so this may be a loss to Halifax which is served only by CN Rail.

 Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd will be establising feeder services as part of of their new network but ACL also has feeders to Gothenborg and between Liverpool and Dublin and Belfast. The shakeup may have more ramifications however, but that is purely speculation at this point.

You can play "Where's Waldo" trying to spot the Hapag-Lloyd and UASC containers on the Atlantic Sky at PSA Fairview Cove yesterday, September 20. 

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