HAMBURG : Hamburg Süd would be interested in joining the Ocean Three alliance if its first steps into the east-west trades prove successful.
That would also mean becoming a tonnage provider and eventually contributing 18,000 TEU-class ships in the Asia-Europe leg of the global partnership, Hamburg Süd’s Executive Board Chairman Ottmar Gast said.
Acknowledging that becoming the fourth member of the new alliance was still a sensitive issue and not under formal negotiation at this stage, Mr Gast nevertheless said in the long-run, it would “make sense” for Hamburg Süd to have “a higher share of the overall capacity” in the Asia-Europe trades if its initial foray works out.
That could result in full membership of the Ocean Three group of CMA CGM, United Arab Shipping Co and China Shipping, which was formally inaugurated a few weeks ago, if the other members agreed.
Hamburg Süd has already signed a global co-operation agreement with UASC that will give it access to the Pacific and Asia-Europe trades through slot charter arrangements. In return, UASC will have space on some of Hamburg Süd’s South American trades.
Unlike the other global alliances, Ocean Three is a more flexible group that allows members to team up with other carriers where appropriate.
Hamburg Süd also collaborates with CMA CGM in some trades. CMA CGM group Vice-Chairman Rodolphe Saadé said last month the Ocean Three group could accept more partners.
"We are open, if we wish, to add more players to Ocean Three," he said.
Mr Gast said the Ocean Three alliance would be the most logical one for Hamburg Süd to join, assuming the three founders were in favour, since the older partnerships such as G6 or CKYHE would not have welcomed a newcomer to the already crowded Asia-Europe route.
At that stage, Hamburg Süd probably would have to contribute its own ships to both the Pacific and Asia-Europe trades. Whereas Hamburg Süd’s 9,000 TEU and 9,600 TEU newbuildings would be suitable on the Pacific, vessels of 14,000 TEU up to 18,000 TEU or more are becoming the workhorses of the Asia-Europe trades.
