US regulators may have given the green light for the 2M vessel sharing agreement (VSA) between Maersk Line and Mediterranean Shipping Co (MSC) but shippers believe it is “bad for business” and want emerging liner alliances to be closely monitored.

The European Shippers’ Council (ESC) — which was the only lobby to publicly comment on the 2M alliance to the US Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) — fears the combination of the two largest liner operators will lead to fewer port calls and higher freight rates.

“We