THE Alliance Partners Gear Up for Hapag-Lloyd’s Departure
THE Alliance prepares for the eventual departure of Hapag-Lloyd starting in February. The remaining ocean carriers – ONE, Yang Ming, and HMM – are actively working to address any potential gaps in THE Alliance’s network and minimize the impact of Hapag-Lloyd’s departure.
Hapag-Lloyd will be joining Maersk to form the Gemini Cooperation – set to begin February 2025. Maersk will be leaving the 2M Alliance.
In 2016, THE Alliance was created, and operations began a year later in 2017. As their website notes, THE Alliance covers all east-west shipping trades; Asia and North Europe, Asia and Mediterranean, Transpacific – West Coast, Transpacific – East Coast, Asia and Middle East / Red Sea, and Transatlantic.
Looming August 28th Strike in India Withdrawn Following Discussions
A looming strike in India, scheduled for Wednesday, August 28th, has been withdrawn as a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was reached, per Maritime-Executive. A full nationwide strike would have stopped 2.3 million tons of cargo movement every single day. The parties have been in negotiations in 2021, with one of the key issues being improving worker pay.
The unions were pushing for pay and benefit improvements. According to Indian media reports, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been reached that includes an 8.5 percent increase in basic pay and a 30 percent boost for holidays. Additionally, a monthly special allowance will be provided for the period from 2022 (the previous contract ended in early January) through the end of 2026.