Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have made significant changes to their Gemini Cooperation service, moving the AE19 route from a traditional Cape of Good Hope transit through the Suez Canal. According to Container News, the shift is part of an ongoing strategic realignment aimed at optimizing transit times while maintaining safety for crews and cargo.
The new routing will see the Gemini SE4 service call at ports including Xingang, Qingdao, Busan, Ningbo, Shanghai, Tanjung Pelepas, Jeddah before traversing the Suez Canal to reach Port Said and Port Tangier. Westbound sailings on this route begin with the Berlin Maersk (voyage 628W) and eastbound with voyage 637E. The decision follows a comprehensive assessment of security conditions in the Red Sea, which Hapag-Lloyd highlighted as a key factor.
Ship & Bunker reported that this move is part of a broader strategy to gradually return East-West services through the Suez Canal corridor. Hapag-Lloyd previously stated its intention to shift back towards a Suez-based network when security permits, and this change marks a significant step in achieving that goal.
Port Technology added that the new routing will offer more efficient transit times compared to the Cape of Good Hope route. However, Maersk emphasized that this change is limited to AE19 at present, with no plans for broader network adjustments. The company noted there are currently no timetables for a wider return to trans-Suez routing.
The Gemini Cooperation was launched in 2024 as an operational partnership under which the two companies share vessel capacity. This strategic move reflects evolving market dynamics and security concerns affecting global trade routes. For ship operators, these changes underscore the need for continuous route optimization and adaptation to changing maritime conditions.