European shippers are stepping up their scrutiny of shipping alliances, launching their own review of the massive vessel-sharing agreements.

Sixteen of the world’s 20 largest container carriers are members of the four so-called “mega-alliances”: 2M, Ocean Three, G6 and CKYHE. And although the alliances received the go-ahead from global regulators, the European Shippers’ Council maintains “there are growing concerns among manufacturers, retailers and wholesalers about the long-term threats of a concentrated container liner shipping industry through alliances.”

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