If the duration of the expanded G6 collaboration agreement reflects the ambitions of the alliance, this puts the collaboration on a completely different scale than the P3.
A review of the agreement submitted for approval by G6 shows that the six container carriers, at first, are only pushing for increased cooperation until 2016.
Americans concerned about G6 independence
ShippingWatch has gained access to the draft of the agreement that the US authorities are currently scrutinizing, and several passages of this draft shows that this is a different and less streamlined agreement than the one forming the basis of Maersk Line, MSC, and CMA CGM's cooperation in the P3 alliance.
The P3 carriers are setting the stage for a collaboration that will initially run for "a minimum of ten years." The starting point for the collaborative agreement in G6 - aimed at, among other things, increased coverage of the United States - is for the agreement to run until March 1st 2016. After this date, the agreement will automatically be extended for one year at a time - unless canceled by one of the parties. But according to CEO and partner of SeaIntel, Lars Jensen, there is significantly more uncertainty about the G6 alliance's ambitions, and thus about the strength of G6 as a competitor to the P3 alliance:
Mere a cautious response
"P3 covers ten years, while G6 covers just two years. G6 could, under the contract, choose to extend the arrangement. But the fact that the carriers at this time have only agreed to two years, compared to P3, shows that not all of the G6 carriers agree that the alliance is the best response to P3 going forward, but rather that the increased cooperation serves as a short-term response. The G6 members will thus already by spring 2015, just one year from now, start considering whether to cancel their memberships and look at creating new alliances instead," Lars Jensen tells ShippingWatch.
"Container industry moving towards alliance model"
In addition to the two alliances preparing collaborations with two completely different durations, the requirements for withdrawing from the alliances are vastly different as well.
The P3 carriers have to give at least two years' notice before withdrawing from the world's biggest alliance, whereas the carriers in the new G6 collaboration only have to give notice one year in advance to cancel the agreement.
The G6 carriers are:
- American President Lines
- Hapag Lloyd
- Hyundai Merchant Marine
- Mitsui
- Nippon
- OOCL
Read more about the G6 agreement today and tomorrow, and find the complete agreement on ShippingWatch later today.
This is the P3 alliance's best argument
Alliances could revolutionize an entire industry
More from ShippingWatch
West Coast dockworkers continue negotiations after contract expiration
Union and employers expect to finalize a new labor contract covering 22.000 dockworkers on the U.S West Coast. Cargo will keep moving during negotiations.
Drewry eyes beginning of the end of major container upswing
The container market has turned and can see the beginning of the end of the extreme upswing. New numbers from World Container Index shows a ”material weakening” in spot rates, according to analyst.
Lars Kastrup becomes sole CEO of container carrier PIL
After over a year of sharing the helm of Pacific International Lines (PIL) with Gan Chee Yen, Lars Kastrup has been appointed the sole CEO of the Singapore-based container carrier.
CMA CGM to lower freight rates – but only for domestic customers
The world’s third largest container carrier responds to the French Ministry of Finance’s call by lowering container rates by approximately 10% for French retail chains, writes Reuters.
Clipper turns loss into profit in Danish company – "sensible progress" within dry bulk
Clipper’s Danish company Clipper Group, which includes RoRo carrier Seatruck Ferries, has turned red figures into the biggest profit in five years. The large dry bulk business, which Clipper does not disclose any numbers for, has progressed the last year and a half, says top exec.
Senior Sales Manager 
Experienced Bunker Trader - Dubai 
Accountant Assistant - Creditor & Payment Team 
Safety Leadership & Transformation Manager 
Head of Vessel Operations 
Crewing officer 
Head of Airfreight 
Technical Security Manager 
Senior Legal Counsel with a focus on Offshore Renewables