Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd are introducing structural changes to four Gemini Cooperation services, moving them to the trans-Suez corridor from routings around the Cape of Good Hope.
The changes cover the AE5, AE11, AE12 and ME2 services. They will join the AE15 and AE19 Gemini services, which are already operating via the Suez route.
Context: Hapag-Lloyd · Red Sea · Suez Canal
AE5, linking Asia and Northern Europe, will call Qingdao, Ningbo, Tanjung Pelepas, the Suez Canal, London, Bremerhaven, Hamburg, Rotterdam, Algeciras, the Suez Canal and Tanjung Pelepas.
Operational context
The Asia-Mediterranean AE11 service will operate via Shanghai, Yantian, Tanjung Pelepas, the Suez Canal, Port Tangier, Valencia, Barcelona, La Spezia, Genoa, Vado Ligure, the Suez Canal and Singapore.
AE12, also connecting Asia and the Mediterranean, will call Ningbo, Shanghai, Tanjung Pelepas, the Suez Canal, Algeciras, Koper, Rijeka, Algeciras, the Suez Canal and Singapore.
ME2, which connects India and Europe, will operate on a rotation of Ennore, Colombo, the Suez Canal, Algeciras, Rotterdam, London, Hamburg, Port Tangier, the Suez Canal and Colombo.
For westbound sailings, the revised AE11 routing is due to begin with Antonia Maersk voyage 635W from Tanjung Pelepas on 19 September. AE5 will start with Marchen Maersk voyage 635W from Tanjung Pelepas on 21 September, while ME2 will begin with Cornelia Maersk voyage 638W from Colombo on 24 September.
What it means for maritime operators
Eastbound implementation is scheduled to begin with Maastricht Maersk voyage 637E from Algeciras on 22 September for AE5. AE11 will follow with Maersk Halifax voyage 637E from Vado Ligure on 28 September. The ME2 eastbound change is scheduled for Cornelia Maersk voyage 643E from Port Tangier on 31 October.
Maersk said the first AE12 sailing under the revised arrangement will be communicated later.
According to the company, the Suez and Red Sea corridor provides a faster and more efficient route for Asia-Europe transport than a diversion around the Cape of Good Hope. Maersk said the shift is intended to improve transit times for customers.
The carriers said any changes to Gemini Cooperation services remain dependent on security conditions in the Red Sea and the absence of further regional conflict escalation. They said crew, vessel and cargo safety remains the priority.