MEMBER ocean liners of the G6 Alliance have announced their decision to suspend their Loop 3 service between the Far East and Europe until further notice.

  The reasons being the "forecasted lack of improvements in the market environment in the Asia-Europe trade", and the need to prepare for the "vessel maintenance schedule in the winter", a joint statement issued by G6 Alliance carriers said.

  The last sailing for Loop 3 will be operated by the OOCL Hamburg, which is scheduled to depart from Shanghai on October 6. Thereafter, all ports will be covered by other services.

  The release said member shipping lines will continue offering a variety of services between the Far East and Europe covering all major port pairs with weekly sailings. Meanwhile, "the market environment will be closely monitored for the resumption of the Loop 3 service accordingly".

  The G6 Alliance members are APL, Hapag-Lloyd, Hyundai Merchant Marine (HMM), Mitsui OSK Lines (MOL), Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK Line) and Orient Overseas Container Line (OOCL).