Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd to deploy up to 340 vessels in new Gemini Cooperation

Denmark’s shipping heavyweight A.P. Moller Maersk and Germany’s container shippping major Hapag-Lloyd have unveiled details of their upcoming operational collaboration Gemini Cooperation, slated for launch in February 2025.

The cooperation comprises a fleet of around 300 to 340 vessels among which Maersk is to deploy 60% of them, while Hapag-Lloyd would deploy the remaining 40%. Additionally, many of the ships would be ready for the adoption of cleaner fuels.

With the launch just around the corner, Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd recently shared an update that pertains to finalized service maps and how the network they have been building since the announcement in January 2024 has evolved.

As disclosed, Gemini Cooperation—which was approved to take effect by the Federal Maritime Comission (FMC) in early September—is set to introduce two distinct ocean networks: an alternative Cape of Good Hope network, due to the on-going disruptions in the Red Sea, and a Trans-Suez network.

The Cape of Good Hope will provide up to 340 vessels, with a capacity of 3.7 million containers (TEU). The Trans-Suez network, on the other hand, will be serviced by approximately 300 vessels, boasting a 3.4 million TEU capacity.

This October, the entity will reveal which one it expects to put to sea in February next year.

Depending on which network the cooperation will phase in, the new network will consist of either 27 or 29 efficient ocean mainliner services supported by an extensive network of 30 intraregional shuttle services.

According to Maersk, the overarching aim will be to ‘deliver schedule reliability above 90% through a flexible and interconnected ocean network.’

“We are looking forward to the launch of our completely redesigned network next year, and we are happy to reconfirm that our schedule reliability target remains unchanged irrespective of which network we will phase in. We believe our collaboration will raise the bar for reliability to the benefit of our customers and set a new and very high standard in the industry,” said Maersk CEO Vincent Clerc.

Gemini Cooperation—which saw Hapag-Lloyd’s withdrawal from THE Alliance—would focus on seven East-West trades: Asia / US West Coast, Asia / US East Coast, Asia / Middle East, Asia / Mediterranean, Asia / North Europe, Middle East – India / Europe and Transatlantic.

Earlier this year, after the two shipping colossals revealed the launch of Gemini Cooperation, Hapag-Lloyd CEO Rolf Habben Jansen said that both Maersk and Hapag were ‘well-aligned on the ambition to deliver better quality and accelerate decarbonization.’

“On the sustainability front, we have to double down. It’s important to do our utmost to bring those emissions down and that means you have to work with a like-minded partner,” he said back then.