MSC, CMA CGM, Maersk, and Hapag-Lloyd have all paused their vessels transiting the Red Sea and are rerouting via the Cape of Good Hope as Houthi militia step up attacks on commercial shipping.

Ending a long-standing relationship can be messy, but Maersk and MSC appear to be dissolving their 2M consortium with the minimum of fuss, with the Asia/Europe trades disentangled, attention turned to the Atlantic.

MSC controls nearly 25% of all containerships that are 20 years old or more according to analyst Alphaliner.

Increasing congestion at container depots and the end of the 2M alliance in January 2025 could see further supply chain disruption and another shake-up in carrier collaboration and operations.

Port of Hamburg terminal operator HHLA will increase its volumes through Hamburg port following an agreement to buy a 49.9% stake in the operator.

Chinese shipbuilder Zhoushan Changhong International Shipyard announced MSC has added a further ten LNG-fuelled containership newbuilds at the yard.

OceanScore, a three-year-old Hamburg-based digital compliance system has attracted funding from MSC, the world’s largest container line, Hamburg-based Peter Döhle group, and the Schoeller family, owners of Cyprus-based Columbia Ship Management.

MSC has acquired a majority stake in AlisCargo Airlines, a Milan-based air freight carrier, as the shipping line continues to expand its air cargo business.

Maersk is the fastest growing logistics brand growing 53% according to the latest ranking by Brand Finance.

MSC’s Terminal Investment Limited (TIL), has announced its plans to invest $1.46 billion (BRL7 billion) in the ports of Santos and Navegantes over the next five years, according to Brazilian media.