The first and biggest of the new mega alliances - the 2M - expected to dominate world shipping in coming years has begun with the loading of the 18,270-TEU Munkebo Maersk at Dalian, reports Lloyd's List.

The ship sailed from the Daiwoo Shipbuilding and Marine Engineering shipyard in Okpo where it was built, to join Maersk's Asia-Europe service.

Now part of the 2M Network with the Italian Swiss Mediterrianian Shipping Co (MSC). the new vessel will rotate through Busan, Qingdao, Ningbo, Xiamen and Tanjung Pelepas before going through Suez and heading for northern Europe.