The CKYHE Alliance of Cosco, Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha (K Line), Yang Ming, Hanjin Shipping and Evergreen Line has filed papers with regulators to expand its cooperation to US trades.

A formal letter has been sent to the Chinese Ministry of Transport and the US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) and EU Commission have been informed.

The alliance hopes to copy the cooperation pattern it has been using in Asia-Europe and Mediterranean trades for the past year. The usual benefits of cooperation were stated: operational flexibility, improved service, wider port coverage, stable transit times and increased sailings.

Should the plans receive regulatory approval, the lines will firm up the details of the plan ready for implementation in spring 2015.

Alliances and vessel sharing agreements are becoming increasingly common in container shipping. Since Chinese authorities blocked the proposed P3 alliance of Maersk, Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) and CMA CGM in June this year, Maersk Line and MSC have gained Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) approval for the "2M" alliance, and CMA CGM have rebounded byforming the "Ocean Three" with United Arab Shipping Company (UASC) and China Shipping, which still requires FMC approval.