HAPAG-LLOYD's main shareholder has his eye on a possible merger with Singapore's Neptune Orient Lines, the parent of APL, following the German shipping line's merger with Chile's CSAV.

Klaus-Michael Kuehne, who has a 28.2 per cent stake in the carrier, told German newspaper Welt am Sonntag that Hapag-Lloyd should partner with another ocean liner to ward off competition from the emerging, stronger shipping alliances, especially, the P3.

It is understood that Mr Kuehne's remarks are his thoughts on future possibilities and that there has been no actual contact between the shipping lines regarding a partnership, reported Lloyd's List.

The merger of loss-making Hapag-Lloyd and CSAV will create a fleet of 200 vessels for one million TEU far behind that of the top three lines, with Maersk Line and MSC's fleets standing at 2.3 million TEU and CMA CGM at 1.3 million TEU.

Throwing NOL into the mix and the shipping company created by potential trio would become the third largest carrier with a fleet of 1.6 million TEU.

Last year, NOL lost US$76 million and Hapag-Lloyd EUR67.2 million (US$93 million).

The proposed merger of Hapag-Lloyd and CSAV will now go before the senate of Hamburg and antitrust authorities.