The initial disruptions to global supply chains triggered by the pandemic had a profound impact on non-alliance services — those operated independently of existing alliance structures. Many of these services ceased operations on major East-West trade routes. However, the subsequent surge in demand for goods, coupled with rising spot rates, prompted a significant influx of non-alliance capacity into the market. So much so, that even on Asia-North Europe, which had predominantly been an alliance operated trade, saw the entry of several niche carriers offering solitary services. (....)