Supply Chain Research

Maersk and MSC, via their 2M Shipping alliance, have agreed to run joint services with ZIM Shipping on Asia to U.S. west coast (USWC) and Mediterranean routes. While volumes on Asia-USWC lanes have been robust recently, rising 10.9% in the fourth quarter compared to a year earlier, there is a risk of a drop as pre-tariff stockpiling and an economic slowdown take effect. The motivation for ZIM Shipping is clear – it’s share of Asia-USWC volumes was just 0.2% in 2018 despite a 25.1% rise in volumes year over year. 2M meanwhile had a 15.3% share after increasing volumes by 7.3%. Longer-term...