SM Line

SM Line Container Shipping News

Based in Busan, South Korea’s largest port, SM Line is a specialized carrier that provides trans-Pacific, intra-Asia shuttle services that use Busan as their base. As of 2019, SM Line operated 21 containerized vessels, while offering:

- Transpacific shuttle service based on Busan as a hub port;

- Services that connected its Asian feeder network to Busan, and

- One of the fastest trans-Pacific transit times from Busan to Long Beach, California.

SM Line offers cost efficiencies by enabling its customers to secure the use of SM’s vessels at a competitive price. SM Line can also respond quickly to customer demand because SM is an independent carrier. It also offers shippers real-time cargo tracking capability.

Webcasts

Midyear Container Shipping Outlook: An Early Peek at the Peak Season

Jul 15, 2021 2:00PM EDT

Freight Payment: Technology and the Race to Improve Billing Accuracy

Jul 29, 2021 2:00PM EDT

Midyear Breakbulk and Project Cargo Outlook: Addressing ISPM-15 Risks

Aug 19, 2021 2:00PM EDT

White Papers

Special Report: Supply Chain Transparency Creates Resilient Operations

Freight Data Insights Report: A Look Back To Look Ahead

Solving for Uncertainty: A Guide to Variable Transportation Budgets

Heeding government call, South Korea's HMM, SM Lines adding capacity

21 May 2021

South Korean container lines HMM and SM Line will inject more than 82,000 TEU of monthly capacity on the trans-Pacific and Asia–Europe trades via extra loaders and the accelerated deployment of newbuild ships on existing loops.

SM Line to join 2M Alliance in cooperation agreement

12 Feb 2020

A cooperation agreement between the 2M Alliance and SM Lines that begins April 1 will increase the alliance’s presence in the Pacific Northwest.

SM Line gives Portland a container comeback opening

09 Jan 2020

The resumption of weekly liner service to Portland after a four-year absence will test the ability of the Oregon port to return to its heyday when it handled more than 300,000 TEU a year.

SM Line returns container service to Portland in wake of ILWU ruling

19 Nov 2019

SM Line will bring direct liner service back to Portland after a two-year absence even as the ILWU deals with a recent $93 million judgment against the union for damages the terminal operator incurred during five years of work slowdowns at the Oregon port.

JOC Top 40 container carrier rankings first half 2019

16 Sep 2019

Container carriers in the slowing US import and export trades are exercising increased discipline, maintaining capacity levels rather than introducing new vessels in an attempt to secure a larger share of the market.

New HMM CEO targets customer focus for turnaround

27 Mar 2019

The South Korean container carrier says its new CEO will “focus on a customer’s view on handling HMM’s current issues in order to lead managerial innovation and strengthen its sales competitiveness.”

SM Line CEO: No plan or path to merger with HMM

13 Nov 2018

“There is no will or reason to merge the two companies. SM Line will continue to build its own business models and we will do our part to survive in the market independently,” said SM Line CEO Kim during a meeting at the company’s headquarters in Seoul.

Rejecting exit rumors, SM Line says trans-Pac services still strong

13 Jun 2018

SM Line said growing volume in the second half of the year should return rates to a level that covers operation costs.

SM Line's appeal for HMM cooperation rebuffed again

15 Mar 2018

SM Line Corporation has again appealed to its larger compatriot rival Hyundai Merchant Marine to collaborate on trans-Pacific routes.

SM Line sets May for new China-US West Coast service

17 Jan 2018

Expanding SM Line will add another China-US West Coast service to its growing portfolio as the carrier continues to grow its market share.

HMM declines SM Line’s trans-Pac pact offer

11 Jan 2018

In a recent interview, Soo Cheon Lee, co-founder and chief investment officer at investment bank SC Lowy, said SM Line would have to find partners on the trans-Pacific if it was to maintain its competitive edge.