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CI poll shows shippers expect P3 will mean better service, stable pricing

SHIPPERS and forwarders appear support the mega alliance of the world's big three container carriers because they feel it will improve service and encourage price stability, according to a major Containerisation International survey.

Forty-six per cent said the P3 operational alliance of Maersk, MSC and CMA CGM, was a positive development, 25 per cent said it was not and 28.8 per cent were uncertain.

The alliance is due to be launched in the second quarter of next year and initially will operate 255 vessels with capacity for 2.6 million TEU on 29 loops covering the Asia-Europe, transatlantic and transpacific trade lanes.

Paris-based Alphaliner estimates that the network will control 45 per cent of weekly capacity in the Asia-Europe trade, 41 per cent of transatlantic capacity and 22 per cent of the transpacific.

One shipper said that the much touted economies of scale should not only accrue to the carriers but be passed on to provide reasonable and stable pricing. "They cannot be allowed to abuse their position," he said.

One sceptic said: "As a freight forwarder it reduces the offer, and we will see a decrease in service and an increase in rates. We believe it should be addressed by the antitrust authorities."

Participating carriers, who will still sell slots independently under the P3 scheme, which still requires regulatory approval, claim the network will bring improved services and more port calls.

London's CI said most polled agreed with 53.8 per cent saying they expected P3 to improve service quality while 23 per cent expected little change.

One respondent said: "It will be the first and last mile that will differentiate the P3 carriers. Far too little focus is spent on the inland, customer service and pricing partnership with shippers. Addressing this - by listening to customers - will be a point of differentiation between these carriers."