The Gemini Cooperation, a revolutionary ocean network developed jointly by Hapag-Lloyd AG and Maersk A/S, officially commenced operations on February 1, 2025. This ambitious initiative is designed to enhance service reliability, connectivity, and sustainability, bringing a new standard to the container shipping industry. By June 2025, all vessels within the Gemini network are expected to be fully integrated into the new schedule.
A Game-Changer for Global Shipping
The Gemini Cooperation will leverage an innovative hub-and-spoke system, featuring 57 services, 3.7 million TEU capacity, and approximately 340 vessels. The fleet will include 29 mainliners and 28 inter-regional shuttles covering key regions such as Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas.
Hapag-Lloyd CEO Rolf Habben Jansen highlighted the importance of schedule reliability, stating,
“Launching the new network is a great opportunity for all of us. With our targeted schedule reliability, we will satisfy one of our customers’ most important needs even better and set a new quality standard in the industry.”
The network is designed to achieve an industry-leading reliability rate of over 90%, offering customers greater consistency and efficiency in cargo movement.
Johan Sigsgaard, Chief Product Officer of Ocean at Maersk, emphasized the careful planning behind the transition:
“We are now ready to commence the phase-in of the new network. Over the last year, we have carefully planned this to ensure that all our customers experience a smooth transition into the new network. With its innovative design, we believe our customers will benefit from increased reliability, flexibility, and more competitive products.”
A Focus on Decarbonization and Efficiency
In addition to improving service reliability, the Gemini network will play a key role in advancing sustainability efforts. The deployment of larger vessels, coupled with optimized speed management and reduced idling times, is expected to cut down on carbon emissions.
“Thanks to our effective hub-and-spoke operating system, we can deploy larger vessels and thus simultaneously optimize speed, reduce idling times, and thereby cut down on carbon emissions. All of this saves our customers a lot of time and resources,” Rolf Habben Jansen added.
Security and Route Adjustments
As part of its operational strategy, the Gemini network will re-route vessels via the Cape of Good Hope, rather than the Red Sea, due to ongoing security concerns. The partners will closely monitor the situation and only return to the Red Sea once it is deemed safe.
About A.P. Moller – Maersk
A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) is a global leader in logistics, dedicated to connecting and simplifying supply chains worldwide. Operating in over 130 countries with around 100,000 employees, Maersk manages a fleet of approximately 700 vessels with a total capacity exceeding 4 million TEU. The company, which includes APM Terminals with 60 ports and terminals across 33 countries, aims to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040 through advanced technologies and low-emission fuels.
Hapag-Lloyd’s Expanding Global Footprint
With a modern fleet of 292 container ships and a total transport capacity of 2.3 million TEU, Hapag-Lloyd continues to solidify its position as a global leader in liner shipping. The company operates 113 liner services connecting over 600 ports worldwide, with equity stakes in 20 key terminals across Europe, Latin America, the United States, India, and North Africa.
The launch of the Gemini Cooperation underscores Hapag-Lloyd’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and service excellence, ensuring a more reliable and efficient future for global shipping.
Source Hagap-Lloyd | Maersk