[THE INVESTOR] Hyundai Merchant Marine is considering joining the 2M Alliance, a vessel-sharing agreement between Denmark’s Maersk Line and Switzerland’s Mediterranean Shipping Company -- the world’s first and second largest container carriers.

Amid growing speculation that Korea’s second-largest shipping company is set to join the alliance, a HMM official confirmed that discussions are ongoing with the alliance parties on June 23. 

Previously, HMM had tried to enter another six-party partnership, The Alliance, consisting of HMM’s local rival Hanjin Shipping, Hapag-Lloyd, K Line, Mitsui O.S.K. Lines, Nippon Yusen Kaisha and Yang Ming. However, Hanjin Shipping and Japan’s K Line were reluctant to accept HMM’s request, local news reported.

According to industry insiders, HMM’s entry will be able to strengthen Asian trade lane of European-based 2M alliance, which had relatively low representation in the region.

By Ahn Sung-mi (sahn@heraldcorp.com)