Eng
The ‘long-term operational collaboration’ agreement between Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd entered into force on 1 February 2025. The instrument envisages the exchange of container ships within the framework of the new Gemini Cooperation network, Maersk’s media office says.
Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd’s shared network covers East/West container traffic and will consist of 29 ocean mainliner services supported by a network of 28 intraregional shuttle services.
The transition period will last until late May, with vessels phasing into the new network, and out of the expiring agreements that Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd have with other container carriers.
June 2025 will be the first month in which the Gemini network is fully operational. Nearly 340 vessels will be sailing as part of the new Gemini network. The ambition is to deliver schedule reliability above 90% once all vessels are fully phased in.
It should be noted that the schedule reliability of port calls is considered to be very good at a level of 75–80%. This was the average schedule of the world’s merchant fleet up until the onset of the coronavirus epidemic. The abysmal record for maritime schedule enforcement was observed in January 2021 at less than 35%.