Ports and Geopolitics Driving Container Fleet Renewal
This week, container ship ordering news was dominated by the order by Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) for eight 13,400 TEU container ships.In a newly released report, the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) notes that the container fleet is aging. As of August 2025, the average fleet age of the top 10 shipping lines is relatively mature at around 13 years old, although there is variation amongst the different shipping companies. Evergreen and HMM currently operate the youngest fleet with an average age of nine years…
Container Shipping Companies Cut Asia-US Services
Major container shipping companies are suspending at least six scheduled weekly routes between China and the United States as President Donald Trump's punishing tariffs on the world's top exporting country collapse trade, maritime consultants said.The ships on those routes have the combined capacity to deliver 25,682 40-foot containers stuffed with toys, tennis shoes, car parts and things U.S. manufacturers use to produce goods each week - or more than 1.3 million 40-foot containers a year…
FMC Approves Operation of Premier Alliance
The US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has announced that the Premier Alliance Agreement (No. 201435) can take effect on February 9, 2025.The Premier Alliance is replacing THE Alliance, but does not include Hapag-Lloyd which instead entered the Gemini Cooperation with Maersk.The new arrangement allows Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM), Ocean Network Express (ONE) and Yang Ming to share vessels on trade lines between the United States and Asia, the Middle East and Europe.The cooperation is comprised of mainline services across the major East – West Tradelines: Asia – North America West Coast…
JAXPORT Enhances Global Reach with New Partnerships
With the upcoming dissolution of the 2M Alliance in early 2025, JAXPORT is maintaining and growing its global container services through strategic partnerships with the world's top ocean carriers. New and modified service routes through JAXPORT will provide expanded global connectivity and access to new and emerging markets.Three primary changes are taking place beginning in February 2025.The Gemini Cooperation – an alliance between Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd – has added JAXPORT to a new, direct service calling Cartagena, Colombia, opening doors not only to South American markets but also to the global Gemini network, including ports in Asia…
FMC Seeks Public Comment on Container Shipping Alliance Agreement
The US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) has opened a 15-day comment period for members of the public to comment in response to a newly filed vessel sharing agreement between Ocean Network Express (ONE), Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) and Yang Ming Marine Transportation (Yang Ming).ONE, HMM and Yang Ming are parties to THE Alliance Agreement (No. 012439) that is currently in effect.The five-year agreement, titled the Premier Alliance Agreement, authorizes the three ocean common carriers to share vessels…
Port of Los Angeles Pays Tribute to Shipping Lines That Reduced Emissions
The Port of Los Angeles has recognized the achievements of more than two dozen shipping lines and carriers for participating in the Port’s Vessel Speed Reduction Program (VSRP), an air quality and annual incentive program for vessel operators who reduce their speed as they approach or depart the port.The voluntary program is one of many sustainability efforts currently underway at the Port to reduce emissions and decarbonize operations.Emission reductions are achieved under the…
HMM Signs Biofuels MoU
Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GS Caltex to secure marine biofuels.HMM plans to conduct the trial use of the fuels on its three 24,000 TEU container ships in the second half of this year. The biofuels comprise 30% biodiesel derived from used cooking oil and 70% high-sulfur fuel oil (HSFO).Biodiesel reduces greenhouse gas emissions by 80% compared to conventional fuels, notes HMM. Biofuels also have the merit of being compatible with current ship engines without technological modification.In 2021…
HMM Plans Onboard Carbon Capture Field Test
Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) has announced plans to conduct field tests of an onboard carbon capture system following a feasibility study of the technology for container ships.The project is being conducted with Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) and PANASIA in the second half of this year.The feasibility study revealed that the system could be installed without changing the existing equipment of the ship and does not hinder the stability of vessel operation.The collected CO2 will be liquefied in a pressurized tank and used for manufacturing dry ice on land.Earlier this year…
HMM Halves Carbon Emissions Over Last Decade
Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) has reduced carbon emissions to less than half of 2010 levels.According to HMM, the CO2 emissions generated when transporting 1TEU of container for 1 kilometer decreased from 68.7g in 2010 to 29.05g in 2021, representing a reduction of 57.7% over the last decade.This has been achieved amid a more than two-fold increase in fleet capacity, from 337,407 TEU to 755,209 TEU, over the same period.HMM attributes its success to its efforts to constantly upgrade its fleet with energy-efficient mega-vessels.
US Retailers' Ocean Shipping Price Woes Ending as New Delays Threaten
Collapsing ocean shipping rates are not all good news for U.S. retailers, who paid as much as $20,000 to move a container of goods during the worst pandemic disruptions, as they now are bracing for delays due to plummeting demand.Carriers like MSC and Maersk are trying to prop up prices by cancelling voyages and that could spark a new round of cargo delays as containers get bumped from one ship to the next, experts said ahead of a major U.S. ocean shipping conference in Long Beach…
HMM to Invest $11.5 Billion Over Five Years for Expansion
HMM Co Ltd, South Korea's largest container shipping company by sales, said on Thursday it plans to invest 15 trillion won ($11.46 billion) over the next five years to sharply increase its capacity.HMM plans to expand its shipping capacity to 1.2 million 20-foot equivalent units (TEU) from the current 820,000 TEU by 2026 and increase the number of bulk carriers to 55 from 29.
ONE to Charter World's Largest Containerships
Singapore-headquartered container carrier Ocean Network Express Pte. Ltd. (ONE) said it has signed a letter of intent (LoI) with Japan's Shoei Kisen Kaisha, Ltd. for the 15-year charter of six new ultra large containerships (ULCS). The vessels, with capacity greater than 24,000 TEU each, are said to be the world's largest.The newbuilds will be built by the consortium of compatriot shipyards Imabari Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. and Japan Marine United Corporation for planned delivery…
World's Largest Containership Makes Its First Call in Europe
The world's largest containership HMM Algeciras made its first European port call this week, entering Rotterdam’s Amaliahaven Wednesday on its maiden voyage to transfer containers at the Rotterdam World Gateway (RWG) terminal.The most recent vessel to hold the world’s largest containership crown, HMM Algeciras at maximum capacity carries slightly more 20-foot containers than its predecessor MSC Gülsün: 23,964 TEU versus 23,756 TEU. During its maiden voyage, HMM Algeciras is carrying a total of 19…
Hyundai Merchant Marine Deploys Robots for Hull Cleaning
Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) has deployed underwater robots to help clean the hull of its vessels."We plans to replace human laborers in a risky environment with underwater robots when it comes to hull cleaning work on its vessels. Underwater robots help to prevent industrial accidents and cut environmental pollution," HMM said in a statement.HMM has signed a cooperation agreement with TAS GLOBAL CO., LTD., a domestic manufacturer specializing in underwater robots.Hull fouling has long been a problem for shipowners, conspiring to reduce speeds and increase fuel consumption, and emissions.In step, shipping companies have made an effort…
THE Alliance Updates MESN
THE Alliance, which includes Hapag-Lloyd, Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM), Ocean Network Express (ONE), and Yang Ming, announced updated details of its 2020 service network, focusing on the Asia-Middle East trade-lane.THE Alliance will introduce three newly organized express loops from early April and the Middle East Service Network (MESN) will provide higher frequency, direct and expanded coverage, and the fastest connection from the respective regions.Hyundai Merchant Marine has become a full member of THE Alliance in January. With the backing from the South Korean government, the company has ordered 12 Korean-built 23,000 TEU Megamax-24 vessels…
Japan Takes Shipbuilding Dispute to WTO
The Japanese government has filed a new petition with the World Trade Organization (WTO) against South Korea concerning alleged aid provided by the Korean government to the country’s shipbuilding industry.According to Yonhap, Japan has asked South Korea to discuss the issue which it says is affecting international competition, and if the talks fail, Japan will seek to establish a dispute settlement panel.In November 2018, Japan filed a complaint with the WTO, claiming that South Korea violated existing regulations by providing subsidies to its shipbuilders, resulting in damage to the Japanese industry.In December 2018, the two sides…
THE Alliance Welcomes HMM
The members of THE Alliance, Hapag-Lloyd, Ocean Network Express, and Yang Ming have welcomed Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) as a new core member of THE Alliance.With the US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) acceptance of HMM membership, THE Alliance offers an attractive upgraded product package and it will be launched around April 1st, 2020.Based on the existing comprehensive network of THE Alliance, the newly en-hanced product package will offer increasing frequency particularly from South East Asia, as well as new direct port coverage and improved transit times.Now that HMM joined The Alliance, its new offering for 2020 will consist of 33 services, 280 ships and a coverage of 78 ports globally.
HMM to Launch Mega-Ships in April
South Korean logistics major Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) will introduce the largest container vessels of the world in April. These mega-ships will be deployed on the company’s Asia-Europe services.According to BusinessKorea HMM will put into operation a total of 12 24,000-TEU super large vessels, one per week, staring this April, the Busan New Port Terminal said on Jan. 12.The boxships are under construction at Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) and Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME).HMM will start its services as an official member of “The Alliance,” one of the three major shipping alliances in the world, on April 1, 2020, said the report.
HMM Takes Top Spot in Schedule Reliability
South Korea's Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) toped highest on-time performance among 15 global carriers in June.According to the ‘Global Liner Performance Report – July 2019’, issued by SeaIntelligence, HMM ranked the most reliable carrier in June 2019 with a score of 91.8 percent - improved 8.2 percent points compared to last month.HMM’s performance was also 8.3 percent points higher than global average of 83.5 percent.
HMM, DSME Join Forces for Smart-ship Tech
South Korea’s container shipping giant Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) and compatriot shipbuilder Daewoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering (DSME) have joined forces on the research, development and innovation in the field of smart ship technologies.Under a Memorandum of Understanding, the parties would conduct research on real-time service system based on IoT (Internet of Things), design on-shore platforms for optimized fleet operation, develop automated warehousing systems for ship materials and development economic navigation solutions.HMM plans to promote the innovation of smart ship technologies underway of directly reflecting and testing operational data to its own container vessels.In fact, certain part of smart ship solution related to optimized ship operation has already been compl
HMM Rescues Crew of Norwegian Tanker
South Korean shipping firm Hyundai Merchant Marine Co said in a press statement that its cargo ship, Hyundai Dubai, rescued all 23 crew members of the Norwegian oil tanker Front Altair, one of the two vessels that caught fire on suspicious attacks in the Gulf of Oman.According to U.S. officials, the crew of the Norwegian-owned tanker Front Altair has been held by the Iranians for nearly 48 hours after they were first rescued by another merchant vessel following attacks on oil tankers in the Gulf of Oman early Thursday.Front Altair’ encountered an explosion accident in the Strait of Hormuz, officials explained.According to the ‘Hyundai Dubai’, the three rounds of explosion occurred at 06:40 a.m.
Danaos Signs Sale-and-Leaseback Deal with EnTrust
The provider of seaborne transportation services, Danaos Corporation has concluded a $150m sale-and-leaseback deal for two of its biggest boxships with the alternative investment firm EnTrust Global.Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) has advised EnTrust Global’s (ETG) Blue Ocean Funds on the transaction of the two container vessels “HYUNDAI RESPECT” and “HYUNDAI HONOUR” acquired from and chartered back to two subsidiaries of Danaos, said a press release.This is the Blue Ocean Funds’ first sale and leaseback in the Greek shipping market, with the US$150m made available to Danaos, a NYSE-listed global shipping company maintaining a fleet of large size container vessels…
HMM Joins “Getting to Zero Coalition”
South Korean shipping giant Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) has joined the Getting to Zero Coalition, a new alliance that aims to accelerate international shipping’s decarbonization.Getting to Zero Coalition is a powerful alliance of nearly 100 organizations within various industrial sectors to achieve significant reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission in the maritime industry.“Climate change is a defining issue of our time and the scale of the environmental regulation we are facing is unprecedented. In order to ensure sustainable growth on the pathway to decarbonisation, all players need substantive reaction to the technological solution of ZEV (Zero Emission Vessel) as well as the development of carbon neutral fuels.