Two shipping giants are entering into a long-term agreement. The “Gemini Cooperation” agreement will help deliver an interconnected network within the industry. This initiative is planned for February 2025.
Currently, the shipping industry is being affected by the Red Sea crisis. Some shipping lines have rerouted vessels around the Cape of Good Hope.
The Red Sea is a crucial corridor connecting the Mediterranean Sea, Indian Ocean and beyond. Its strategic location gives shippers access to Europe, Asia, and Africa. The Red Sea route is the natural sailing route between these regions.
Now, with all that’s going on in the shipping industry, shipping customers for Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd will surely welcome Gemini Cooperation.
Boost quality of delivery in shipping to customers
The new agreement between the shipping companies will comprise a 290-ship fleet pool. Maersk will handle 60% of the deployment fleet, and Hapag-Lloyd will handle 40%. The partnership will cover 3.4 million containers.
Rolf Habben Jansen, Hapag-Lloyd CEO, says, “Teaming up with Maersk will help us to further boost the quality we deliver to our customers. Additionally, we will benefit from efficiency gains in our operations and joint efforts to further accelerate the decarbonization of our industry.”
ALSO READ: Target the latest company affected by Red Sea crisis
Reliability for shipping, a benefit for customers
Maersk CEO, Vincent Clerc says this initiative will offer customers a flexible ocean network. The integrated logistics collaboration will strengthen both company’s customers’ needs.
Here are some features of the network:
In February 2025, “Gemini Cooperation” will start, with both shipping giants providing operational teams to manage the venture. Both companies will be able to adjust their capacity to meet customer demands.
Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have committed to providing above 90% schedule reliability once the agreement is in place. Both companies’ global networks will be leveraged for the collaboration.
Seven trade lanes will be covered by the agreement: Asia / US West Coast, Asia / US East Coast, Asia / Middle East, Asia / Mediterranean, Asia / North Europe, Middle East – India / Europe and Transatlantic.
The agreement also covers mainline ocean services, complimented by shuttle services – these will offer fast connection with flexibility between ports and hubs. The companies will also accelerate their decarbonization efforts.
Highlights of Maersk industry operations
Maersk has been at the forefront of innovation in recent months with its operations. In October 2023 the company opened a 130,000-square-foot facility in Los Angeles. The import/export gateway offers direct planeside recovery with immediate unit load device (ULD) transfers. In the same month, Maersk and Kodiak tested driverless trucks.
Hapag-Lloyd shows off shipping innovation
In October 2023, Hapag-Lloyd made its entrance into the ultra-large container ship sphere with the introduction of Berlin Express. This new development signifies the largest container ship sailing under a German flag.
The Berlin Express boasts a capacity of 23,600 twenty-foot equivalent unit (TEU) and is the first in the company’s new Hamburg Express class. The company has a live ticker regarding updates on the Red Sea. View updates.
About the author
Sharl is a qualified journalist. He has over 10 years’ experience in the media industry, including positions as an editor of a magazine and Business Editor of a daily newspaper. Sharl also has experience in logistics specifically operations, where he worked with global food aid organisations distributing food into Africa. Sharl enjoys writing business stories and human interest pieces.
