Grand Alliance to reduce Transpacific capacity

Tokyo: Three container lines belonging to the Grand Alliance (GA) - NYK, OOCL and Hapag-Lloyd - will be cutting back their available tonnage on the Transpacific route by 3,000teu per week as of November 20. This period of the year, immediately following the pre-Christmas surge, traditionally sees lower demand and the lines believe that the reduced tonnage will be sufficient to meet customers' demands, allowing them to carry out vessel maintenance. The fourth member of the GA, MISC Berhad, does not operate vessels on the Transpacific route. [01/11/06]