The Gemini Cooperation Set to Reshape Global Container Shipping

The Gemini Cooperation—a long-term operational partnership between shipping colossals the Danish A.P. Moller-Maersk and Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd—is all but ready to launch tomorrow, February 1, 2025, intending to “reshape” global container shipping.

The two shipping industry titans revealed their plan to join hands and form the Gemini Cooperation at the very beginning of 2024 and received approval for it to take effect from the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) in early September.

It was said that the ambition behind this undertaking was to deliver a “flexible and interconnected” ocean network with schedule reliability, predictability and sustainability in mind while covering the main East-West trade routes.

Key Features of the Gemini Cooperation

According to Maersk, once this network is fully phased in, the primary goal is to achieve reliability above 90%.

Representatives from Hapag-Lloyd revealed that the Gemini Cooperation would encompass seven global (sub)trades with the focus centered around 12 ‘key’ hub ports, ten of which are owned and/or controlled terminals, as well as two operations in Singapore and Cartagena, Colombia.

When initially announced, the new cooperation was to comprise a fleet pool of roughly 290 ships with a combined capacity of 3.4 million TEUs with the Danish player deploying 60% of them and the German major the remaining 40%.

In September 2024, however, the two companies revealed that up to 340 ships would be deployed. As explained, the Cape of Good Hope network would provide up to 340 units with a combined capacity of 3.7 million TEUs, while the Trans-Suez network would be serviced by roughly 300 vessels with a 3.4 million TEUs capacity.

As per Maersk, more vessels will gradually set sail on the new schedules.

Smooth Transition and Expansion

Sharing his thoughts on this development, Johan Sigsgaard, Chief Product Officer of Ocean at Maersk, highlighted: “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.”

Regarding the transition period, it was disclosed that this is anticipated to last until May this year with ships phasing into the new network and out of the expiring agreements that Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have with other carriers. June will reportedly be the first full month in which the network is completely phased in with the entire vessel pool sailing on Gemini schedules.

Expansion into North America

Seeking to ‘strengthen’ its cargo operations in the Great White North, Dubai-based terminal operator DP World announced at the beginning of January 2025 that it had joined hands with the Gemini Cooperation.

As informed, starting in February, the company is set to introduce several new container services at its terminals at the Port of Prince Rupert, the Port of Vancouver, and Port Saint John while the agreement with Gemini would present additional options for ‘improved’ cargo loading and discharge at those ports.