UASC and Hamburg Süd sign a global cooperation agreement
United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) and Hamburg Süd, two of the leading container shipping lines on September 24 2014 signed a global cooperation agreement, the UASC said Wednesday in a press release.
The agreement came after a series of discussions focused on the companies’ respective customers’ business needs, key growth areas, and operational requirements. The need to address logistical imbalances was also a key driver behind the agreement
“As a customer-focused and emerging global operator, UASC is committed to continuously delivering new and enhanced service patterns. This cooperation with Hamburg Süd enables access to the South America trades and illustrates our ambitious approach to enhance geographic coverage”, the Company said.
In summary strategic agreement entails UASC will enter the Europe - South America East Coast and Asia - South America East Coast trades effective as from mid-2015. Whilst Hamburg Süd will enter the Asia - North Europe and Asia - US trades in December 2014 and January 2015, respectively. Initially, the cooperation will be in the form of slot exchanges, with vessel deployment opportunities being explored in due course. Further geographic scope for cooperation is currently under consideration.
Following the recent announcement of Ocean Three new cooperation further demonstrates UASC continuing engagement with customer requirements to provide comprehensive and reliable services. Actual investment in newbuildings illustrates UASCs genuine commitment to designing innovative transport solutions.
Dubai-headquartered United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) was established in Kuwait in July 1976 jointly by six shareholding Arab states of the Persian Gulf (Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and U.A.E). The UASC fleet of 52 ships operates more than 18 services, connecting the Middle East to Europe, the Mediterranean, Indian Sub-continent, Far East, West Africa and the Americas. UASC network covers over 200 ports and destinations worldwide.