THE Alliance announced it will reconfigure its network to deploy larger ships on some of its top trade lanes. The carriers also said they intend to use a modern series of fuel-efficient 23,500+ TEU vessels to replace smaller vessels. According to a press release issued on 20 December, this move comes "to ensure the most comprehensive port coverage to maximize the satisfaction of the member lines’ customers." The deployment of fuel-efficient container ships is "part of THE Alliance’s ongoing commitment to offer more sustainable services by minimizing the carbon footprint of its service network," the press release added. THE Alliance plans to sail larger newbuild ships on the Asia-North Europe trade as part of its enhanced service network. The announcement listed a number of services connecting key Asian cities such as Tokyo and Shanghai with European ports including Rotterdam and Hamburg. In addition, the alliance will add 14,000/15,000 TEU vessels on the Asia and Mediterranean trade as well as on the US East Coast trade. The reconfigured services connect shipping hubs like Busan, Singapore, and Ningbo with key Mediterranean cities such as Tangier, Genoa and Istanbul. The enhanced service setup will enter into effect from April 2023. Members of THE Alliance had previously announced a number of new orders including mega-sized ships to be delivered in the next two years. Hapag-Lloyd, for example, is expected to receive twelve 23,500-TEU vessels between April 2023 and December 2024, and ONE will receive six 24,000-TEU ships between the first and second quarters of 2023. Sources: HMM, ONE, JOC