Another German shipping alliance is in the making, involving the Offen and Conti groups.

Talks are understood to have taken place that could potentially bring into play a larger management operation through Conti’s significant shareholding in Hamburg-based shipmanager NSB Niederelbe Group, and in technical shipmanager Bremer Bereederungsgesellschaft BBG,according to local shipping sources.

The deal was confirmed after TradeWinds' weekly edition went to press.

Such a move would mark another big step towards consolidation in the container and tanker sectors.

But