BIG FISH IN A SHRINKING POND

摘要

The mega-alliances currently being set up by global ocean carriers between Asia and Europe promise much for shippers, but will they be all win-win? Better frequency could be offset by less choice and product differentiation through the greater sharing of vessels, for example. And the enlarged consortia could be used to better manage vessel capacity, so increase freight rates. The scale of the alliances is so big that explaining what might and might not happen in this respect is complicated, but as some of the consequences are already being played out in the short-sea tradelane between northern Europe and the Mediterranean, it provides a sneak preview of what may come.