Members of THE Alliance — Hapag-Lloyd, Ocean Network Express, Yang Ming and Hyundai Merchant Marine — have announced service adjustments for December which include void sailings as well as other service adjustments to its existing services.

The schedule showed maintained FP1, FP2, FE2, and FE3 weekly sailings in December between Asia and North Europe except for FP2 on Week 49 which will be voided. 

THE Alliance said it will also continue to operate the FE4 Extra Loader Program in December — with the respective Lines separately providing advice regarding participation in the Extra Loader Program.

For its Asia-Mediterranean service, THE Alliance said it will maintain its MD1, MD2 and MD3 weekly sailings next month, except the MD3 service which will be voided on Week 51. 

For the Transpacific-West Coast schedule, the shippers said all PSW (including India leg for PS3) and PNW loops will maintain their weekly sailings in December.

AG1 will remain merged with AG3, for its Asia – Middle East service and AG2 and AG3 will maintain all sailings in December.

THE Alliance said for its Transpacific-East Coast operations, all USEC loops will maintain their weekly sailings in December, except for EC3 (Week 50 and 53) that will be voided.

Meanwhile, THE Alliance said for the Transatlantic services, all transatlantic loops will maintain their weekly sailings next month, excluding AL4 on Week 50 and 53, and AL1 on Week 53. 

Fluctuating demand for global shipping

"In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the members of THE Alliance have been making service adjustments to better align their resources to match the fluctuating demand of the global shipping market," THE Alliance said in a statement.

"During these unprecedented times of the pandemic, the members of THE Alliance have endeavoured to keep the supply chains of its customers moving," it added.