HMM, South Korea’s largest shipping company and the world’s eighth-largest, will resume its transatlantic service in February next year, re-establishing a route that connects major ports in Europe and the Americas after a seven-year hiatus. The move is part of the company’s mid-to-long-term strategy to enhance global competitiveness, supported by a 23.5 trillion won ($16.36 billion) investment plan extending through 2030, with an initial focus on expanding core shipping lanes.
On Dec. 17, HMM announced plans to introduce new container shipping routes across the Atlantic and Indian Oceans starting next year. The transatlantic service will link prominent European ports in the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany with key destinations in the United States, Colombia, and Panama.
The global shipping industry is anchored around three major hubs: Asia, Europe, and the Americas. While HMM has maintained routes from Asia—particularly through Busan Port—to North America and Europe, the company suspended its transatlantic service in 2018 amid an industry-wide downturn. Additionally, geographical challenges have historically made the Americas-to-Europe section less accessible for Asian shipping companies.
In recent years, however, HMM has seen a surge in shipping demand, providing it with the financial capacity to reinvest in its network. The company plans to deploy ten 4,600-TEU containerships on its transatlantic route, creating a more integrated network across critical east-west shipping lanes, including the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
In parallel, HMM will launch a new route linking India to Northern Europe, deploying eleven 6,000-TEU boxships to meet growing cargo demand from the Indian market. This route will integrate with HMM’s existing services connecting India with the Mediterranean and the U.S. East Coast, further strengthening its presence in the region.
An HMM spokesperson stated, “We remain committed to exploring new markets as part of our long-term strategy for 2030.”
