In 2018, the top four container carriers accounted for 60 pct of the global container shipping market. Nowadays, the market share of the biggest carrier (19 pct) is larger than the market share of any global liner alliance before 2012, signifying the different character of current alliances, according to ITF.
The report has found several impacts of global alliances which give more market power to carriers. They represent barriers to entry on East-West trades and could function as vehicles for collusion between carriers, as they provide carriers with in-depth insight of the cost structures of their competitors. What is more, alliances give very considerable bargaining power to carriers with regard to ports and terminals.
