Maersk Line Confident on P3 Approval

Maersk Line's Vincent Clerc said he's not concerned about a recent statement by U.S. regulators

Vincent Clerc, chief trading and marketing officer of Maersk Line, said there is no need for concern that the planned P3 container shipping alliance will reduce service to U.S. customers, industry news site ShippingWatch reports.

"There will be no losses on the total coverage and our US-flagged deployment will actually improve, as we plan to put the flags on some of our fuel efficient ships that are currently not sailing under US flags," he said.

Clerc was responding to a statement released Tuesday by the U.S. Federal Maritime Commission calling for a global regulatory summit that would allow European Union (EU), Chinese, and U.S. authorities to discuss the alliance.

"One of my concerns relates to media reports that a combined east-west fleet of 346 vessels will be reduced to 255 vessels once the proposed Alliance is consummated," said Commissioner William P. Doyle.

"I am interested in learning more about the impact this Alliance will have on services provided to consumers, shippers and U.S. terminal operations.''

Another commissioner, Richard A. Lindinsky Jr., added that the members of the planned alliance, Maersk Line, Mediterranean Shipping Corp. (MSC), and CMA-CGM, must receive approval from authorities before beginning any collaboration.

"It is clear this Alliance is moving forward as if it has already met regulatory approval despite the lack of any significant filing with regulatory authorities in Europe, China or the U.S.," he said.

"Pushing behind the scenes and placing positive stories with the press is not a substitute for proper consideration of the consequences of this massive carrier alignment."

Clerc said he is not concerned that the statement could reflect badly on P3's chances for approval.

"Actually, what the commissioner is saying is quite okay," he said.

"He has questions concerning the reduced number of ships, which is fair, but that's the whole point of economy of scale, that we have fewer but larger ships in our network. That's how we'll create savings through P3.

"There will be no losses on the total coverage and our US-flagged deployment will actually improve, as we plan to put the flags on some of our fuel efficient ships that are currently not sailing under US flags."