Posted on: December 26, 2025 / Last updated: December 26, 2025
Premier Alliance Accelerates Hub and Spoke Strategy for 2026
Premier Alliance, formed by ONE, HMM, and Yang Ming, is preparing a major restructuring of its service network from 2026.
The alliance plans to reduce port calls significantly on its Asia–Europe routes and move more decisively toward a hub and spoke operating model.
These changes are scheduled to be introduced gradually from April 2026.
CONTENTS
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Fewer Port Calls and Simplified Service Loops
Under the revised network, several Asia–Europe loops will reduce their rotations to as few as five ports.
On the Asia side, multiple direct calls will be removed.
Instead, Busan will function as the primary hub, with cargo redistributed via feeder vessels to Kaohsiung, Xiamen, and major Japanese ports including Tokyo, Kobe, and Nagoya.
For example, the FE1 loop will call only Laem Chabang, Cai Mep, Singapore, Rotterdam, and Hamburg.
The FE4 loop will further streamline Asian calls to Shanghai and Busan only.
The new design prioritizes operational simplicity and minimizes exposure to port congestion.
Schedule Reliability Is the Core Objective
The main driver behind this restructuring is improving schedule reliability.
According to Xeneta data, Premier Alliance’s on-time performance declined from 36 percent in the first quarter of 2025 to just 22 percent in the third quarter.
At the same time, average delays worsened from 2.7 days earlier in the year to more than 5 days by the fourth quarter.
This performance level has become increasingly difficult to justify for shippers.
Competitive Pressure from Hub-Focused Networks
Competitors Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd, operating under the Gemini cooperation, have already adopted a strict hub and spoke model.
According to Sea-Intelligence, their schedule reliability reached nearly 90 percent in September and October.
Fewer port calls allow for faster recovery from delays and more predictable schedules.
Premier Alliance is effectively aligning itself with a model that has already proven successful.
What This Means for Japanese Shippers
For Japanese shippers, the shift brings both advantages and trade-offs.
While mainline reliability is expected to improve, direct calls to Japan will be reduced, increasing dependence on feeder connections via Busan.
As a result, lead time management, feeder connection quality, and hub port performance will become critical factors in carrier selection.
