Hapag-Lloyd and Ocean Network Express have signed a bilateral strategic feeder network cooperation agreement.

According to the two shipping lines, the collaboration leverages the unique strengths and competitive advantages of each company and aims to provide the market with a superior feeder network. Under the agreement, both lines will share space on their feeder services.

Hapag-Lloyd and ONE have already launched a new intra-Asia service called the Bohai Feeder in August 2018 and will further introduce a new intra-Europe service called the North Sea Poland Express in mid-October.

“This new cooperation strengthens Hapag-Lloyd’s and Ocean Network Express’s footprints in Europe as well as expands both companies’ service portfolios in Asia,” said Rolf Habben Jansen, chief executive officer of Hapag-Lloyd. “With this new cooperation we are able to offer our customers worldwide a far better and consistent feeder network.”

As the first step, the cooperation will cover the BAX, NBS, NPX, REX, SDX, ADX and LEX services on the intra-Europe trade lane and the BHX, HAS and PID services on the intra-Asia lane. The collaboration has already started in the intra-Asia market in August 2018 and will commence on the intra-Europe trade in October. The collaboration will be further expanded into other key markets in due course.

“This new cooperation is another strong footnote to the existing bilateral partnership,” said Jeremy Nixon, chief executive officer of Ocean Network Express. “We are convinced that together with Hapag-Lloyd, Ocean Network Express will continue to enrich our feeder network portfolio and provide more premium feeder service to our respective customers. Looking ahead, we are confident that the scope of this cooperation will be further broadened.”

Hapag-Lloyd and ONE also operate together within THE Alliance and cooperate on their Latin America, Africa and Indian subcontinent trades.