US Regulators Delay Launch of New Asian Shipping Alliance

Plans for the Premier Alliance, a new shipping consortium in Asia, have been delayed after intervention from the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission (FMC). Originally, the alliance intended to begin accepting bookings later this week, but the FMC's request for additional information has pushed back the timeline.

The Premier Alliance consists of former members of THE Alliance — Yang Ming, Ocean Network Express (ONE), and HMM — following the exit of Hapag-Lloyd. Hapag-Lloyd is leaving THE Alliance to partner with Maersk under a new grouping called the Gemini Cooperation.

The Premier Alliance was set to start marketing its services this Thursday, with an official launch date of February 1. However, the FMC has temporarily halted those plans, stating that the submitted agreement lacked sufficient details to fully assess its impact on competition and ensure compliance with statutory regulations.

In a statement, the FMC emphasized that the alliance members must provide more comprehensive information about the group's structure and operations. The commission's review is aimed at determining whether the agreement aligns with U.S. competition laws governing shipping alliances.

With the FMC's review underway, it is expected that the Premier Alliance's marketing efforts may now be delayed until the end of December, provided the commission approves the group's proposed structure.