THE Alliance has recently unveiled an expanded service network for 2020 as it welcomed Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM) as a new full member following the approval from the US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC).

The existing members include Hapag-Lloyd, Ocean Network Express (ONE), and Yang Ming.

In a statement, the group said the upgraded product package will be launched around April 1, 2020, and based on the existing comprehensive network of THE Alliance, the newly enhanced product package will offer increasing frequency particularly from Southeast Asia, as well as new direct port coverage and improved transit times.

The South Korean shipping company is expected to add some 34 ships to THE Alliance' network or an additional capacity of 519,000 TEUs.

In the coming months, the company will start taking delivery of twelve 23,000 TEU and eight 15,000 TEU newbuilds. The 23,000 TEU giants will be deployed in the Far East-North Europe trade and will further strengthen THE Alliance’s service portfolio.

The upgraded package includes the ff:

• a new pendulum service replacing the existing Asia-Europe FE5 and Transpacific PS7 services with a new highly efficient design. This new service, to be further named, will be operated by 18 modern 14000+ TEU ships and provides added weekly Transpacific coverage between South East Asia and Southern California, thereby expanding the number of services directly covering this lane to three, in addition to FP1 and PS3;
  
  

• a modified PS3 will offer new direct coverage of Haiphong creating more value and choice for the customers;
  
  

• a new Transpacific loop, PS8, focusing on Central China and Korea (including new coverage of Incheon) will be inaugurated around April 1, 2020;
  
  

• for Asia and North Europe, the group will deploy two efficient 20,000+ TEU vessel services in a newly revised FE2 and FE4 design which will bring economies of scale and positive environmental benefits.
  
  HMM, however, will not participate in the Asia and the Middle East/Red Sea rotation, as well as on the Atlantic Trade.

"The newly upgraded service network which is expected to commence from around April 1st, 2020 will offer the respective clients better choices with much broader coverage and improved service frequency. THE Alliance will continue to bring innovative product solutions to the East/West Trades," THE Alliance said.