Following the global outbreak of the coronavirus disease, the members of THE Alliance — Hapag-Lloyd, Ocean Network Express, Yang Ming and Hyundai Merchant Marine — have revised schedules for May and June to mitigate the impacts of the pandemic. 

In separate statements, the shipping giants announced it is introducing adjustments to its Far East Trade (FE2 and FE4) loops to merged from week 19 to week 26, the combined service will be named as FE2, and its updated rotation will be Pusan – Shanghai - Ningbo - Yantian - Singapore – (North Continent Ports rotation subject to berth window availability) - Singapore - Pusan.

More blank sailings were also introduced in its Asia and the Mediterranean route and Trans-Pacific West Coast in response to lower market demand due to the spread of the virus, THE Alliance said.

For its Transpacific – East Coast (via Panama and Suez Canals), the group said it's East Coast 3 service (EC3) remains merged with EC1 through week 19 to week 26.

The Asia and the Middle East (AG1 and AG3) loops will also be merged from week 19 to week 26, and the combined service will be named as AG3, with the following rotation: Qingdao – Pusan – Shanghai – Ningbo – Kaohsiung – Shekou – Singapore – Jebel Ali – Dammam – Hamad – Jubail – Abu Dhabi – Sohar – Port Kelang – Singapore – Hong Kong – Qingdao In addition, in the AG2 loop, a Westbound direct call to Xiamen port will be added from week 19 to week 26 with the latest rotation as follows: Shanghai – Ningbo – Xiamen – Shekou – Port Kelang – Jebel Ali – Hamad – Umm Qasr – Hamad – Jebel Ali – Singapore – Shanghai.

"Despite the above-mentioned adjustments, the members of THE Alliance are committed to deliver reliable services to our respective customers and provide alternative solutions to keep supply chains moving," the Group said in its statements.

THE Alliance members, noted, however, that the affected services are expected to resume normal operation dependent on market conditions.

"THE Alliance will continue to closely monitor the situation of the pandemic and respond effectively," it added.