ALLIANCES AMONG SHIPOWNERS

The paper aims at analysing the needs for large capital investments in starting a liner container service. One of the possible way for the shipowner to reduce the costs of a container liner service, and in doing so to meet the requirements of a shipper by offering a high quality service and reasonable freight rates, is to join alliances of any type. The integrational development of alliancesis is analyzed through the geographical sphere, scope of alliance means, types of alliances and possible duration. Different types of joint agreements are elaborated in detail, and the synergetic effects realized through alliances are described too. The current world largest global alliances among shipowners are shown in tables as well as the slot cost calculation.