PIL, Wan Hai to sign 10-year alliance agreement
Singapore-based Pacific International Lines and Taiwan’s Wan Hai Lines have agreed to enter into a 10-year strategic alliance agreement to cooperate on future service plans as well as to explore joint efforts in shipbuilding, repair yards and terminals.
The two Asian carriers’ business partnership dates back to 2004 when they started a joint Asia/Europe loop and followed that up last year with a combined transpacific service in March and then a Far East/Black Sea operation in December.
“The formation of alliance in the shipping industry, such as the Grand Alliance, New World Alliance and CKYH, has been a strategy and trend for carriers to rationalize and work together for long-term development and mutual benefit,” PIL and Wan Hai said in a joint statement.
“As both carriers share the same vision and persistence in providing customers with premium liner service product, it is inevitable for both companies to consider further collaboration by pooling their unique resources and strengths to improve their competitive advantage in the dynamic shipping industry.”