Pacific International Lines (PIL) and Taiwan's Wan Hai Lines (WHL) are another step closer to forming a long term alliance similar to those entered by other carriers such as The Grand Alliance, New World Alliance and CKYH. The two liners have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that sets forth both parties' intentions to enter into a 10-year Strategic Alliance Agreement.
The two companies have been co-operating for a number of years, having jointly operated the FarEast Europe service since 2004, the Transpacific and East-West trade lanes since 2007, the Black Sea common service since December.
The alliance will encompass current areas of cooperation and future service development plans.  In conjunction with this, both carriers have also expressed their intention to explore joint efforts in shipbuilding, repair yard and terminal cooperation.