As expected, the US Federal Maritime Commission unanimously voted to allow the revamped CKYHE Alliance to add its newest member, Evergreen Line, into its vessel-sharing agreement covering the transpacific and transatlantic trade lanes.

The alliance now consists of Cosco, "K" Line, Yang Ming, Hanjing and Evergreen. The commissioners agreed the vessel-sharing agreement would not risk any significant decrease in service or increase in costs.

Maersk and Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC), the biggest and second biggest carriers, will launch the 2M Alliance in January, while CMA CGM, the third biggest, has joined China Shipping and United Arab Shipping Co (UASC) to form the Ocean Three Alliance.

The other large consortium is the G6 Alliance, joining APL, Hapag-Lloyd, Hyundai Merchant Marine, MOL, NYK and OOCL, which also received FMC approval.

CKYHE controls 20 per cent of the capacity from Asia to the east coast of North America, and 34 per cent of the capacity from Asia to the west coast of North America, according to Drewry Maritime Research.