Mid-ranking liner players Sinokor Merchant Marine and Heung-A are merging their boxship services as part of a wider consolidation in the Korean market.

The combination will take place by the end of next year in a bid to rationalise operations, the Pulse daily reported.

A deal will be signed on 3 April, according to the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries and the Korea Shipowners’ Association on Wednesday.