RESEARCH and discussion group for container shipping lines serving the trade from Asia to the US, the Transpacific Stabilisation Agreement (TSA), has announced that it will shortly be adding Mediterranean Shipping Co. (MSC) to its ranks.

The shipping company based in Geneva, Switzerland, is expected to join the TSA in mid-May once a 45-day filing notification period with the US Federal Maritime Commission has been concluded, a statement issued on behalf of the group said.

"We're very pleased to have MSC become a part of TSA," said the group's chairman Ron Widdows, also president and CEO of APL. "We look forward to their participation as TSA continues its efforts to bring improved visibility to market, operational and cost information, and to engage customers on service and pricing issues as well as the broader dynamics affecting the Asia-US cargo market."

As the world's second largest container line, MSC has been growing its stake in this market by offering three scheduled transpacific service strings, with additional intra-Asia feeder services.

MSC's operational fleet numbers 326 vessels with a combined ship capacity of 1.06 million TEU.

TSA members are: APL, Hyundai Merchant Marine, CMA CGM, "K" Line, Cosco Container Lines, MOL, Evergreen Marine Corp., NYK, Hanjin Shipping, OOCL, Hapag Lloyd Container Line, and Yangming Marine Transport Corp.