DENMARK's Maersk Line says it remains confident that its proposed P3 vessel sharing alliance with Mediterranean Shipping Co. and CMA CGM will gain the necessary approval and that it will launch in the summer as originally planned after US, European and Chinese regulators met in Washington, D.C.

"The process is developing as expected and we are confident to receive an approval of the alliance for the cooperation to be launched in the second quarter next year, perhaps during the last part of the quarter," said Maersk Line's chief trade and marketing officer, Vincent Clerc, in an interview with Shipping Watch, a Danish newsletter.

The decision by the US Federal Maritime Commission to extend its investigation has not affected the timetable for the launch of the alliance, reports the Journal of Commerce.

"There is no reason to change that date," Mr Clerc said. "On the basis of what has been sent out from the [Washington] meeting, I believe it is positive and highly relevant for the authorities to cooperate and examine cross-border trade."

"Regarding the review of the P3, we are dealing with sovereign states, meaning that we contribute with what we are requested to do," he added.